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March 7, 2013

Idaho House Panel Supports New Health Exchange Bill

Idaho’s latest proposal to create a state-based health insurance exchange has been approved by a House committee, and now heads to debate in the full chamber. The Times-News reports the House Health and Welfare Committee approved the new exchange bill 10-1 after three hours of public testimony. Thursday’s vote came after three hours of testimony, […]

Counties Present Plan To Partially Exempt Business Personal Property

Two months to the day after the start of the 2013 legislative session, a bill to partially exempt business personal property from taxation has been introduced. A second personal property tax bill may be presented as soon as tomorrow. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee unanimously voted to print a bill that would exempt the […]

March 6, 2013

Idaho’s Latest Health Exchange Bill Prevents Gun Data Collection, Adds Legislative Oversight

Public comment on the Idaho Legislature’s new health insurance exchange bill starts bright and early tomorrow morning. With signup starting at 6:30 a.m., interested citizens will have the chance give the House Health and Welfare Committee their opinion on the revamped bill that would create a state-based health insurance exchange. As we reported Monday, the […]

March 5, 2013

Why Urban Renewal Faces Resistance In Idaho

Urban renewal districts allow communities to leverage property tax dollars to support local economic development. There are more than 60 of them in Idaho. But this legislative session has brought fresh signs that, in some corners, urban renewal isn’t exactly popular – even as it supports the state’s most touted new company.

March 4, 2013

A Twist In The Legislature’s Nascent Personal Property Tax Discussion

In absence of a bill, the Idaho Legislature’s personal property tax discussion has played out behind closed doors so far this session. But former Representative Dennis Lake introduced a twist today when he went before his old committee to suggest a simple change to the definition of real and personal property. Lake’s bill would narrow […]

New Health Insurance Exchange Bill Restarts Debate In Idaho Legislature

The debate over an Idaho-based health insurance exchange was reset today. The House Health and Welfare Committee voted to print a new bill that combines Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s proposal that passed the Senate last month, with new ideas that aim to please more House lawmakers. Here’s more info on the new proposal from Times-News […]

March 1, 2013

Gov. Otter Makes Another Plea With Idaho Lawmakers To Approve A Health Exchange

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is making another plea with Idaho House members to pass his state-based health insurance exchange bill. Last week, after nearly six hours of debate, the Idaho Senate passed Otter’s exchange plan 23-12. Now, the House will determine the fate of an Idaho-based, online health insurance marketplace. The debate is between Republican […]

February 28, 2013

Idaho Labor Department Braces For $3.5 Million Funding Cut

The state agency that handles unemployment insurance benefits, workforce training and helps jobless Idahoans search for work, anticipates a $3.5 million budget cut beginning at the stroke of midnight. It’s the sequester, the $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board federal spending cuts that have the potential to affect nearly every aspect of government services. The Idaho […]

February 26, 2013

Obama Administration Position Grants State Lawmakers More Control Over Medicaid Rates

Idaho policymakers may claim more leeway to lower Medicaid repayment rates based on a legal brief filed by the Obama administration yesterday. In a move that frustrated health care providers, the administration said states may contain Medicaid costs by reducing reimbursement rates. That’s according to The New York Times. The Idaho Medical Association’s Susie Pouliot […]

Idaho Budget Writers Approve Funding For More Medical School Seats

The Legislature’s main budget panel has approved funding for five additional medical school seats in the WWAMI program, according to the Spokesman-Review’s Eye on Boise blog. The WWAMI acronym represents the five western states that send medical school students to the University of Washington on state-sponsored reduced tuition. Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho don’t have […]

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