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 →
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?
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 →
Idaho doesn’t cater to as many out-of-state hunters and fisherman as it once did. The Idaho Business Reviewreports 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 →
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.
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:
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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