2016 Idaho Legislature

House approves $8 million broadband settlement bill

Debate over the Idaho Education Network was sometimes testy — and came minutes before the final gavel dropped on the 2016 legislative session.

ACLU urges Bible bill veto

The Bible-in-schools bill is in Gov. Butch Otter’s hands. And the governor isn’t saying what he’ll do with it. But the American Civil Liberties Union is urging Otter to veto the bill — and urging its membership to lobby the governor. A link on the ACLU’s website allows members to email Otter directly. Here’s an…

Broadband settlement bill on hold

Statehouse roundup, 3.24.16: As lawmakers work their way toward adjournment, several other last-minute budget bills worked their way through the pipeline.

Ybarra’s rural education proposal dead for session

The Senate Education Committee polished off its work for 2016, passing three other last-minute bills.

House passes Ybarra’s rural schools bill

Statehouse roundup, 3.23.16: After a divided House vote, the rural bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. The House passes other late-session bills that will get a Senate hearing.

Rapid fire: Senate passes seven K-12 budgets

The bills now head to Gov. Butch Otter. On Tuesday, Otter expressed disappointment with the spending plan.

JFAC earmarks $8 million for broadband settlements

House Speaker Scott Bedke and Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill hope to use the money to strike a deal with two Idaho Education Network vendors.

McMillan mum on votes against K-12 budgets

Three-term Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Silverton, refused to explain her votes to the Lewiston Tribune.

T-minus two days? Legislature nears adjournment

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis says the 2016 Legislature could wrap up its work Wednesday. And at this point, K-12 issues are all but settled.

House passes Bible-in-schools bill

The Bible bill passed mostly along party lines, although two Republicans and one Democrat broke ranks with their party.