Morning News: Lawmakers Go To Conservative Conference On State Dime, Home Sales Tumble, Food Prices To Rise

Idaho lawmakers in Salt Lake this week for ALEC conference, including defeated Rep. Hart – “Two … lawmakers are attending at state expense, Reps. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, and Phil Hart, R-Hayden. Travel expenses for Barbieri and Hart have been approved by House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale. Hart was defeated in the May GOP primary.” Idaho Statesman

Health Care Law a Maze of Opinion, Fluid Data for Idaho Leaders – “[A] legislative Health Care Task Force, co-chaired by Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, and Rep. Gary Collins, R-Nampa, is meeting Monday to discuss potential actions the Legislature can take in response to the June Supreme Court Ruling that upheld the Affordable Care Act.” Times-News

Sales of New U.S. Homes Unexpectedly Fall From Two-Year High – “The decline was led by a record 60 percent plunge in the Northeast. “ Bloomberg

U.S. Sees Food Prices Rising From Severe Drought – “Figures released Wednesday … showed the largest percentage increase next year in its price indexes is expected for beef, a rise of 4 percent to 5 percent. The price of dairy products will increase 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent and eggs by 3 percent to 4 percent. Pork is expected to rise 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent. “ The New York Times