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Essential StateImpact: Top Five Posts Of The Week

Joshua Saunders, CPA

The fiscal cliff jack-o'-lantern, proudly displayed in front of the Ritter Saunders household this week.

There’s been a lot to follow in this last busy week before Election Day.  Be sure not to miss our most-read stories of the week:

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!

 

Secret Donor List, Now Public, Reveals Powerful Interests Backing Props 1, 2, 3 Fight

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

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

Why NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg Gave $200,000 To Support Idaho’s Education Reform Laws

Stan Honda / AFP/Getty Images

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

NYC’s Mayor Bloomberg, Albertsons’ Heir Donate To Pro-Props 1, 2, 3 Campaign

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

According to documents released today, Mike Bloomberg donated $200,000 in support of the Students Come First laws, which will be put to a vote next Tuesday.

We originally reported that Foster Friess donated $50,000 to Education Voters of Idaho.  He gave $25,000.

Right now, the question in the mind of every Idaho journalist is: Why did New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg give $200,000 to a campaign supporting Idaho’s controversial Students Come First laws?

Bloomberg is among the donors listed on Education Voters of Idaho’s disclosure form, which was filed with the Secretary of State’s office today.  Also on the list are Albertsons’ heir and online education investor Joseph B. Scott, who contributed $250,000, and Foster Friess, a prominent donor to conservative causes and candidates.  Friess donated $25,000.

Education Voters of Idaho released its donor list today, after Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa filed a suit to force disclosure.

The full list of donors is available here.

Fear Of Rising Health Insurance Costs Drives Health Exchange Recommendation

Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact

A working group appointed by the governor last week recommended that Idaho aim to have a state-based health insurance exchange up and running by 2014.

When Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry President Alex LaBeau made his ultimately successful motion that the Health Insurance Exchange Working Group should call for Idaho to implement a state-based exchange by 2014, he spoke in dramatic terms.

“What is in the best interest of the employers in the state of Idaho?” he asked.  “How can we mitigate this massive increase in their costs that’s coming?  The only way is to pursue a state-based exchange.”

Health insurance exchanges are a key component of the federal health care law.  Essentially, they’re marketplaces that allow consumers to evaluate and purchase health insurance. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter convened his 13-member working group after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal Affordable Care Act earlier this year, forcing states to decide what form of exchange to pursue.  Continue Reading

Why Idaho Is Trying To Attract Out-Of-State Hunters And Anglers

Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact Idaho

Idaho doesn’t cater to as many out-of-state hunters and fisherman as it once did.  The Idaho Business Review reports that’s prompted the Fish and Game Department to step up marketing efforts.

Idaho Fish and Game’s Michael Pearson told the Idaho Business Review that the number of non-resident fishing and hunting licenses sold by the state fell by 13 and 26 percent respectively from 2007 to 2011.

Ads have been placed on outdoor recreation websites and in periodicals like California Sportsman, he said. For the first several months leading to fall, the ads tried to recruit hunters with its “I hunt Idaho” slogan. As fall approached, it switched over to promote the steelhead fishing that is prevalent in October and November. Continue Reading

Propositions 1, 2, 3: What Happens If Voters Overturn Idaho’s Education Laws?

Kyle Stokes / StateImpact Indiana

On November 6, voters in Idaho will decide if a trio of education laws should be repealed in whole or in part, or if they’ll remain intact.  So, what happens if voters reject the laws?

The Students Come First laws do many things. The package of three laws would remain on the books if Propositions 1, 2 and 3 pass on November 6.  If any of those propositions fail, the corresponding law would be repealed.

The first law weakens collective bargaining rights for teachers and does away with Idaho’s early retirement program.  That law will be voted on in Proposition 1.  Continue Reading

Congressman Mike Simpson And Challenger Nicole LeFavour Square Off In Boise

Republican Congressman Mike Simpson and Democratic state Senator Nicole LeFavour debated on Idaho Public Television Sunday night.

LeFavour, an eight-year veteran of the Idaho Legislature is trying to unseat Mike Simpson, who has represented Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District since 1998.

In case you missed it, here’s the hour-long debate:

Source: Idaho Public Television

Essential StateImpact: Top Five Posts Of The Week (According To You)

Here’s a look back at the five most-read posts of the week.  Take a look, share with your friends, and let us know what you think!

Idaho’s Health Insurance Exchange Group Makes Recommendation; Decision Now Rests With Gov. Otter

Tom Kelly / Flickr

Gov. Otter's insurance exchange working group met at the Capitol today.

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s 13-member health insurance exchange working group says Idaho should pursue a state-based health insurance exchange for 2014.  The panel arrived at that decision today, months after the Supreme Court upheld the federal Affordable Care Act, landing the issue back in the laps of state leaders.

Committee member Alex LaBeau, president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, made the impassioned argument that ultimately won out.  “What is in the best interest of the employers in the state of Idaho?” he asked.  “How can we mitigate this massive increase in their costs that’s coming?  The only way is to pursue a state-based exchange.”

Two work group members — Rep. Lynn Luker (R-Boise) and the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Wayne Hoffman – disagreed.  Hoffman encouraged the committee to “keep the federal government from implementing this unconscionable law.”  Luker wanted to put off the decision for a year.  Continue Reading

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