Idaho Politics Weekly Newsletter

Monday, February 10, 2020

Your one-stop source for Idaho political, government and public policy information, presented by Zions Bank. Subscribe to have our weekly e-newsletter delivered to your in-box each Monday morning.

This Week In Idaho Politics

The presidential nomination process needs reform
By Steve Taggart, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
With impeachment wrapped up, the focus now turns to the presidential campaign.


Governor has broad support for literacy goals
By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
State Superintendent Sherri Ybarra, who taught third grade for 11 years at Mountain Home before being elected as the lead advocate for public schools, knows all about the importance of children in the early grades reading proficiently. She has first-hand knowledge about the consequences for those who fall behind.


Wolf howls, depredations are back at Idaho Legislature
By Stephen Hartgen
Amongst the usual dustups over education funding, university micro-management and hot issues like gun control and abortion, it wouldn't be an Idaho legislative session without at least one or two wolf bills.


Guest opinion: Time to Invest in higher education
By Sens. Mark Nye (D-Pocatello), Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise), and Reps. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise)
As members of JFAC (Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee), we set all budgets and approve all appropriations for the state. We were delighted when Gov. Little made education his top priority in his State of the State address. However, we became concerned when we saw some of his proposed education budgets.


Guest opinion: The Legislature is leaving Idaho children behind
By Reps. Muffy Davis (D-Hailey) and Sally Toone (D-Gooding)
Idaho's children are the state's most valuable asset. The future of our state will be defined by the successes and failures of our youth.


Guest opinion: Axe the tax on groceries
By Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird
Government is an over-achiever in collecting taxes on nearly everything we do.  It's hard to imagine anything in our everyday life that is not taxed.  We are taxed for our homes, our property, our cars, our purchases, our earnings, our investments, and even after death. 


Idaho's Senators turned a blind eye to the rule of law
By Jim Jones
I have known both Mike Crapo and Jim Risch for about 4 decades. Both are intelligent men. Both are schooled in the rule of law.


News release: Little, Wasden announce DOE agreement on spent nuclear fuel
By News release
Gov. Brad Little and Atty. Gen. Lawrence Wasden have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that addresses the handling of spent nuclear fuel generated during operations of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).


News release: Paulette Jordan announces Senate run
By News release
Former Idaho House Representative Paulette Jordan has announced that she intends to unseat current U.S. Senator James Risch.


News release: Idaho drug policy office launches vaping prevention campaign
By News release
The Office of Drug Policy (ODP) is using Be The Parents, the long-running underage drinking prevention campaign, to provide parents and caregivers with facts and prevention tips about teen vaping. The digital campaign launched February 1st.


Political newsnotes: Judicial appointment . . . Content standards . . . Emergency immunity . . . Substance abuse . . . Legislative district . . . Census . . . Right to repair
By Idaho Politics Weekly staff
Little appoints Javier Gabiola to 6th Judicial District. Gov. Brad Little has announced the appointment of Javier Gabiola as District Judge to the Sixth Judicial District Court.


Trump supporters 'rock on' while Dems groan
By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
After all these endless hours of opening statements and grilling of House impeachment managers and President Trump's defenders, there was one key question not asked.


Political Calendar Highlights

See our full political calendar.

D15 Coffee
When: Tuesday, February 11, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Where: Boise Co-op 2350 N Eagle Rd, Meridian, ID

Nez Perce County Republican Women Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Red Lion Hotel Lewiston, 621 21st St, Lewiston, ID
A group of dynamic republicans educating the community. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , NPCRW President.

KC Dem Club
When: Friday, February 14, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Iron Horse Bar & Grill, 407 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Bette Ammon, Cd'A library director, will give library news and updates. More info.

To submit events to the Idaho Politics Weekly calendar please use our contact form here.


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