Molly Messick was StateImpact Idaho's broadcast reporter until May 2013. Prior to joining StateImpact and Boise State Public Radio, she was a reporter and host for Wyoming Public Radio. She is a graduate of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
The group considering the Medicaid expansion met at the Capitol today
All fourteen members of Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s Medicaid Expansion Work Group arrived at the same opinion this afternoon: Medicaid eligibility should be expanded in Idaho. It was the conclusion of a months-long discussion and research set in motion when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act earlier this year.
Expanding Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults living at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line is a key component of the federal health care law. But the Supreme Court’s June ruling in effect granted states the right to choose whether to adopt the expansion.
This morning, Gov. Otter’s working group heard a presentation from consulting group Milliman, which was hired by the state to assess the costs and savings of the state’s options. The report estimates expanding Idaho’s Medicaid program would save the state money between now and the year 2024. That’s because the federal government will at first cover 100 percent of the cost of expansion, phased down to 90 percent by 2020. Continue Reading →
This flag was on display at White Pine Elementary in Boise on Election Day.
It’s been quite a week.
The big story here at StateImpact Idaho has been voters’ rejection of Students Come First, the three-part education overhaul approved by the Legislature in 2011. All of our must-read stories are about Propositions 1, 2 and 3 and the fallout of Idahoans’ powerful “no” votes. In this list, we have data analysis, a photo slideshow, and some regular old reporting. Don’t miss it.
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act in June, several big decisions about health care policy landed in state leaders' laps. One of them: whether or not to expand Medicaid eligibility.
The working group that is studying whether Idaho should expand its Medicaid program holds its third — and perhaps final — meeting today. The group established by Governor Otter in July is charged with understanding the implications of expanding Medicaid eligibility to adults living at or below 138 percent of the poverty line.
The Medicaid expansion is a component of the Affordable Care Act. When the U.S. Supreme court upheld the law in June, it ruled that the federal government cannot require states to either expand their Medicaid programs or forfeit all federal Medicaid funding. That is: the court granted states a choice. Continue Reading →
An informal poll of voters who cast their ballots here, at Boise's Longfellow Elementary, showed strong opposition to the package of education laws known as Students Come First.
Idaho voters delivered a ringing defeat of Propositions 1, 2 and 3 Tuesday, rejecting the three-part education overhaul backed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, and approved by the Legislature in 2011.
The most resounding “No” came on Proposition 3, which addressed online education and technology in schools. Voters rejected it by a two-to-one margin. It’s worth asking: Why was that measure so overwhelmingly unpopular? Continue Reading →
Mother and daugher Magdalene and Lauren Teears both voted yes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “Up until even this morning, I wasn’t sure how I was going to vote on those propositions, ” Magdalene Teears said. “I went from ‘no’ on everything to ‘no, yes, no’ to ‘yes, yes, no,’ to finally ‘yes’ on everything. So that’s how I ended up voting today.”
Steven Burke, a father from Eagle, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. He said he didn’t believe the changes were necessary. “I just feel — some of the things that have worked for a while are a good way to stay with the path,” he said.
Beverlee Brannan, a retiree, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “I think the people for it are going to make money off of it,” she said. “I think the children and the teachers are out of the issue. That’s my problem.”
Jennifer Thornfeldt, who went to the polls with her daughter, Stella, was one of many Idahoans to reject the package of education laws known as Students Come First.
Joe Brian, a van driver for Riverside Hotel, said he would vote no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “My mom’s a teacher, so she got me interested in it,” he said. “I think money would be better spent on having efficient computer labs than on everyone having a laptop.”
William Steel, Jr., a self-described retired banker-turned-hippie, voted yes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “I’m a machinist union fellow from way back,” he said, “but I think the union is an inhibitor, any more, to some of the progress we need to make.”
Jason Trainor, who works for the Ada County Sheriff’s Department, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. He says he sees the laws as “handcuffing teachers” in ways that he believes aren’t fair for teachers or children.
Debra Mulnick, a retired nurse, and Bill Bourland, a vascular surgeon, both voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “I think there’s this trend toward corporatizing education, and I’m thoroughly opposed to that,” Bourland said. “I think that’s a really destructive trend.”
Brad Larrondo, who works in Boise State University’s athletic department, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “I did feel like some control was being taken away from the classroom and the teachers,” he said. “I voted no in order to try to have teachers have a better opportunity to teach kids, and not have it be online.”
Asa Battista, an acupuncturist, voted no on Propositions 1, 2 and 3. “If you have a plan to revamp everything, it should be known before you get elected into office, so people know what they’re getting into,” Battista said.
The most potent statewide issue on this Election Day is the tug-of-war over Propositions 1, 2 and 3. Today, as we have talked to voters at polling places in the Boise area, we’ve asked how they decided to vote, and why.
The propositions correspond to three education laws that the Legislature approved in 2011. The laws have been contentious ever since. At the most basic level, the laws do three things: limit collective bargaining for teachers, create a merit pay system, and increase the use of technology in schools. ‘Yes’ votes on Propositions 1, 2 and 3 keep the year-old education laws in place. ‘No’ votes repeal the laws.
You can read more about the propositions and the corresponding laws here. For an Idaho voter guide, with links to voter information click here.
In the comments section below, tell us how you voted, and why, on the three referenda.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, delivering his State of the State address early this year
It’s been a significant policy question for a year now: Will Idaho create a state-based health insurance exchange? With hours remaining until Election Day, it’s a safe bet that Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter will not make his call before the presidential vote tally is in.
When the governor does sit down to make his decision, he’ll consult his Health Insurance Exchange Working Group’s findings and recommendations, which were delivered last week. It’s a document that contains conflicting views about the state’s options. Continue Reading →
The campaigns for and against Idaho's Propositions 1, 2, 3 have brought in a lot of money. When you add it all up, the two sides have received donations totaling $4.88 million. It's all focused on a months-long tug-of-war over whether the package of controversial education laws known as Students Come First will be upheld or repealed on November 6. Continue reading →
Before you go, I’ll let you in on a little secret: We’re working on a pretty interesting data visualization project today. Be sure to check back this weekend!
Idahoans will cast their votes to uphold or strike down a controversial package of education reform laws on Election Day.
When financial disclosure reports from Education Voters of Idaho were posted online yesterday, a narrative died. The reports show that 23 contributors gave a total of $641,160 to the group, which is working to uphold the package of controversial education laws known as Students Come First.
More than two-thirds of that $641,160 total came from just two people: Joseph Scott, an Albertsons heir and chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Continue Reading →
Mayor Mike Bloomberg toured a storm ravaged section of Queens this week. Bloomberg was outed yesterday as one of Education Voters of Idaho's most generous contributors.
Anticipation ran high before the Idaho Secretary of State’s office posted Education Voters of Idaho’s donor list yesterday. After all, the group championing the three laws known as Students Come First — addressed on the November ballot by Propositions 1, 2, and 3 — had attempted to keep its list of contributors a secret.
When the disclosure report was posted, Idaho media swarmed. The name “Michael R. Bloomberg” stood out. That Michael Bloomberg? The same one issuing detailed updates and directives as New York City attempts to gain ground against the flood waters and power outages brought on by Hurricane Sandy? Continue Reading →
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