State Policy

Who’s spending in Tuesday’s election? A guide to some key players

A complicated — and competing — network of outside groups has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into Tuesday’s legislative primaries. Let’s try to untangle the spider web.

House Education vice chair faces two conservative challengers

Rep. Lori McCann of Lewiston is defending her four-year record — and, to an extent, her committee’s record — in a three-person GOP primary.

School choice PAC: Statehouse opponents are targets

“If you’re a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice – you’re a target,” an American Federation for Children director told Idaho Education News. The group has spent close to $228,000, mostly on negative campaigning.

Federal appeals court hears arguments on Idaho bathroom bill

The 2023 Legislature passed a law to prevent transgender students from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity. The law remains mired in federal court.

The Legislature’s K-12 budgeter-in-chief faces a high-profile primary

Six-term Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, faces two high-profile primary opponents: Bryan Smith, a GOP national committeeman with Idaho Freedom Foundation ties; and Sean Coletti, mayor of the neighboring bedroom community of Ammon.

Analysis: Uncle Sam helps rural Idaho schools — but only to a limited degree

School districts in Idaho’s timber country stand to receive close to $7 million from the feds. But many of these same districts will be before voters next month, seeking bonds and levies.

New lawsuit challenges Idaho’s Blaine Amendment

The lawsuit argues that the state’s ban on taxpayer resources going to religious institutions unconstitutionally violates religious freedom and free speech rights.