Newsletter

This Week In Idaho Politics

Lower costs, more cures and who takes credit
By Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
President Trump has called on Congress to support efforts to lower the outrageous costs of prescription drugs, and what's playing out in Congress is the political version of the "Me Too" movement.

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Idaho's legislative sausage making
By Steve Taggart, Idaho Politics Weekly Contributor
"If you like laws and sausages, you should never watch either one being made." - attributed to German leader Otto von Bismarck

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The president is a powerful role model for American kids
By Jim Jones
As we observe Presidents Day this year, it is well to consider the critical role our presidents play in shaping the attitudes and ambitions of America's young people. Being the most conspicuous public figures of their time, presidents can have a tremendous influence on the future lives of contemporaneous youngsters. It can be for better or for worse.

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Guest opinion: Let's not politicize education
By Rep. Steve Berch (D-Boise)
The House Education Committee voted last week to reject and remove every word of Idaho's education standards in math, English and science for all K-12 grades. If this decision stands, over 15,000 teachers charged with educating over 300,000 students will have no standards to guide what is taught in classrooms throughout Idaho.

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Guest opinion: We need medical billing with no surprises
By Senate Majority Leader Chuck Winder & House Majority Caucus Chair Megan Blanksma
Medical bills are high enough without surprise bills that can be astronomical, but that's exactly what some Idahoans are forced to deal with. People are being saddled with huge debt for out-of-network care, even after they go to an in-network facility and doctor. It's not right, and it's why we need to pass the No Surprises Act to protect patients.

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Guest opinion: Sick of supplemental levies? Then Invest in Idaho
By Adam Schasel, Nampa high school economics teacher
Idaho homeowners: I get it. You're sick of property taxes. 

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It should be crunch time on education funding
By Stephen Hartgen
Seasoned vets of Idaho politics know this, but there are few times in Idaho legislative politics with more stress than the few weeks of February and early March in election years. The reasons are simple enough.

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Guest opinion: Progress made on key issues this Congress
By Sen. Mike Crapo
An important part of representing Idahoans in the U.S. Senate is keeping folks informed about legislation advancing in Congress.  In December, I provided a year-end review of some legislative highlights from the first year of the 116th Congress.  The following is a more detailed account of the advancement of legislation I have advocated for on behalf of Idahoans. 

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News release: Gov. Little comments on transgender inmate surgery case
By News release
Gov. Brad Little issued the following statement in response to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal's decision to deny the State of Idaho's request to rehear the decision of a three-judge panel ordering the state to provide Idaho inmate Adree Edmo with sex-reassignment surgery.

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Political news notes: New Administration director . . . Kersting-Lark runs for House . . . IGEM meets . . . Property tax legislation . . . Opioid addiction medicine . . . Affirmative action ban . . . Medicaid work requirements . . . Conversion therapy ban
By Idaho Politics Weekly Staff
Little appoints new Department of Administration director. Gov. Brad Little has announced the appointment of Keith Reynolds to serve as director of the Idaho Department of Administration following the departure of Director Bryan Mooney, who left the post to work in the private sector.

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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.

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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.