2016 Idaho Legislature
House overwhelmingly passes school budgets
School budget would increase state spending by 6.8 percent, raise teacher pay again and restore cuts to school districts’ operations budgets.
Going-home bill? Another tax cut heads to the House floor
Statehouse roundup, 3.21.16: An estimated $16 million tax cut surfaces, and the House takes another stab at a student mobility bill.
Ybarra makes last-minute push for rural schools center
Statehouse roundup, 3.18.16: Rural schools bill is on a legislative fast track, while a boost in college scholarships heads to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk.
A.G.’s office: Scholarships to religious colleges may violate Constitution
The March 3 opinion seems to support a main argument for amending the “Blaine Amendment,” which prohibits the use of state dollars to support sectarian schools.
JFAC approves $9.1 million literacy budget
All told, budget-writers have proposed a 7.4 percent budget increase for K-12 — a magic number for many key legislators.
House Education passes Bible-in-schools bill
Statehouse roundup, 3.17.16. The religious education amendment resurfaces, and a proposed tax cut dies a swift death.
House debates Bible-in-school bill; vote slated for Thursday
Statehouse roundup, 3.16.16: A nonbinding resolution on Idaho’s “60 percent goal” generates some surprising debate.
JFAC approves $971,000 to cover more broadband legal bills
The Legislature’s budget-writing committee also put $2 million into STEM programs — falling far short of Gov. Butch Otter’s request.
Ybarra tables her proposal to boost leadership premiums
The $16.7 million program has come under scrutiny at the Statehouse, so Sherri Ybarra has dropped a proposal to boost funding by another $1 million.
School elections: New sunshine bill sees light of day
Statehouse roundup, 3.15.16: The state takes a step to pay off Idaho Education Network legal bills, while another literacy bill heads to the governor.