Morning News: The Tough Path For Renewable Energy In Idaho

Drought Improves Prospects for Farm Bill Passage – “The drought that is shriveling much of the nation’s corn and soybean crop is beginning to heat up the debate about farm programs. “The silver lining of this drought is that it is refocusing Congress’s attention on production agriculture,” said Mary Kay Thatcher, director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, D.C. “Our hope is that maybe we can get a farm bill through.”” Times-News

Despite hopes, renewables have rough ride in Idaho – “In 2011, Idaho’s Department of Commerce devoted a 37-page magazine to renewable energy, with Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter touting geothermal, wind, solar and biomass. “Sustainable, renewable energy is going to play a big role in Idaho’s future,” Otter proclaimed. The publication now doubles as a grim recapitulation of projects where the lights have dimmed or gone out.” Associated Press

Medicaid Fight Reinvigorated With Political Light On Health Care – “Medicaid — not Medicare — is actually the nation’s largest health insurance program, covering some 60 million Americans with very limited incomes. But you’d be excused for not knowing that, because Medicaid doesn’t get nearly as much attention as Medicare does.” NPR