2018 Idaho Legislature
Whatever became of the higher ed task force?
The 2018 Legislature did little with the recommendations from Gov. Butch Otter’s higher ed task force. The next move may belong to Idaho’s next governor.
The demise of the huckleberry pie bill, explained
Rep. Ron Nate never sought a hearing on the bill proposed by a fourth-grade class, House State Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher told Betsy Russell of the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
After his final session as governor, Otter touts education record
A reflective Gov. Butch Otter praised lawmakers for putting more money into teacher pay raises, classroom technology, scholarships and a new reading test.
House upholds veto of reading test bill
Statehouse roundup, 3.27.18: A House vote fell far short of the two-thirds support needed to override a veto. Meanwhile, Otter objected to a piece of one K-12 budget, but stopped short of a second veto.
Otter signs off on new statewide reading test
The budget frees up $550,000 to roll out a new statewide reading test, and resolves one of the last big battles of the 2018 legislative session.
Otter signs scholarship expansion bill into law
Under the new law, adults returning to school to finish a degree will be able to benefit from the popular Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
Otter signs bill addressing school threats
The new law allows prosecutors to pursue a case involving a threat, whether it occurs on school grounds or on social media platforms. It goes into effect immediately.
The 2018 Legislature: A (not-too-early) look back
Who won? Who lost? And what does it all mean to students, parents and teachers? Recapping the soon-to-be-completed 2018 legislative session.
Senate OK’s funding for reading test, as session nears conclusion
Statehouse roundup, 3.22.18: The last spending bill of 2018 heads to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk. Lawmakers may head home within a couple of days.
House passes rewritten office budget for Ybarra, including money for reading test
Statehouse roundup, 3.21.18: The House passes a new version of Ybarra’s office that would fund an expansion of the K-3 reading test pilot.