Legislative News, WEEK THIRTEEN, April 1-5, 2013
The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on April 4, 2013. In my first newsletter back in January, I highlighted three big issues that were expected to dominate the session: repeal of the business personal property tax, Idaho's compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health insurance exchange and/or Medicaid expansion) and education funding following the repeal of Propositions 1, 2, 3. Let's review how each of these issues ultimately played out before reviewing other notable legislation addressed this session.
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Legislative News, WEEK TWELVE, March 25-29, 2013
The week twelve newsletter comes as the result of a single vote. On Wednesday, the Senate rejected the 2013-14 public education budget on a vote of 18-17. Had the vote gone the other way, you would be reading my end of session letter right now.
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Legislative News, WEEK ELEVEN, March 18-22, 2013
Week eleven brought very long days as the momentum to adjourn on Good Friday approaches warp speed. I'm slowing down long enough to highlight some matters from this week that warrant special attention.
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Legislative News, WEEK TEN, March 11-15, 2013
Week ten brings Daylight Savings Time so it was still light out on Wednesday when the House passed HO248 after seven hours of debate. This amended bill to establish a state-based insurance exchange must come back to the Senate which passed a similar measure three weeks ago.
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Legislative News, WEEK NINE, March 4-8, 2013
Week Nine and agency budget-setting concluded today in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) although subsequent meetings may be held at the call of the chair. Setting the budget for fiscal year 2014 and getting the appropriations bills through both chambers is the bellwether for going home. This milestone today could signal the potential for the session concluding before April begins. However, we are still moving a revised health insurance exchange bill through both chambers and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry continues their years-long effort to repeal the personal property tax on business equipment.
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Legislative News, WEEK EIGHT, February 25 - March 1, 2013
Week Eight ends as March begins and there are welcome hints of spring to brighten ongoing legislative challenges.
Senate bill 1108 was introduced in State Affairs today with testimony (and voting) to resume on Monday. This bill would restrict the initiative/referendum power granted to the people by the Idaho Constitution (Article III, Section 1).
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Legislative News, WEEK SEVEN, February 18-22, 2013
We made significant progress in Week Seven with the Senate's passage of legislation to establish a state-based Health Insurance Exchange in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed into law in 2010 and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012.
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Legislative News, WEEK SIX, February 11-15, 2013
Week six brings us to what may be the halfway point of the 2013 session although we still confront several complex issues that could extend our time in Boise into mid-April.
Last week I discussed the controversy surrounding the confirmation of Joan Hurlock to the Idaho Fish & Game Commission. After a lengthy debate that divided our colleagues across the aisle, the Senate voted 19-16 to reject her appointment.
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Legislative News, WEEK FIVE, February 4-8, 2013
Week five and we are almost finished with rules review and gubernatorial appointments. But there was one appointment that caused a bit of controversy this week in the Senate Resources & Environment Committee; the confirmation of Joan Hurlock of Buhl to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission (Magic Valley Region).
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