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Your Guide To The 2013 Idaho Legislature

Background

Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact

Idaho's Senate Chamber sits empty nine months out of the year. Lawmakers typically in session from Jan. until late March or early April.

This page will no longer be updated. For future coverage of Idaho’s legislature go to Boise State Public Radio’s website.

Idaho’s 2013 Legislature convened in Boise on January 7. We’ve put together a guide to the session, including ways to contact your lawmaker, how to get involved, and comprehensive information about the people elected to office.

The Basics

Exploring the Demographics of Idaho’s 2013 Legislature

What Lawmakers Are Saying

Before the start of the 2013 legislative session, we sat down with a few key lawmakers to discuss a handful of issues. We focused on three areas sure to be hot topics; education funding, economic development and taxes, and healthcare.

State of the State Address

Latest Posts

Idaho’s Legislature Has More Women Than Most States

The 2013 Idaho Legislature is more than a quarter women. The Legislature has actually lost three women from the previous session.  Still, the male to female split at Idaho’s Statehouse is better than the national average.  The National Conference of State Legislatures’ data show women make up 24 percent of state lawmakers nationally. So, does […]

At 90, Idaho Rep. Frank Henderson Isn’t Ready To Retire

The 2013 Idaho Legislature is in town today for it’s biennial organizational session.  This is when lawmakers confirm their leaders and prep for the session which begins next month.  Today also happens to be Rep. Frank Henderson’s (R-Post Falls) 90th birthday. Henderson, born in 1922, was a soldier in World War II and a reporter […]

Listen: Gov. Otter Makes Predictions For Coming Legislative Session

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter said today that he expects a difficult legislative session.  He spoke at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho’s annual conference.  The session will be a hard one, Otter said, “because of the decisions we have to make.” The governor discussed what’s ahead for state education policy, given that voters resoundingly rejected the […]

Idaho Has Older-Than-Average Legislature, Does Age Matter?

Idaho is one of the youngest states in the country.  We’re third youngest, right behind Texas (#2) and Utah (#1).  The median age here is 34.6, according to the most recent Census.  More than 30 percent of Idaho is made up of people 19 and younger. Like most states, the people who make laws and […]

Tweet Your Lawmaker: A Guide To Idaho Legislators On Twitter

Idaho lawmakers will be back at the Capitol this week as new legislator orientation gets underway and for the organizational session (that’s when legislators vote on party leadership). We know it’s a month before the 2013 legislative session officially kicks off, but we  wanted to introduce you to some lawmakers via Twitter. We’ve compiled a […]

Idaho Legislators Meet This Week To Learn The Basics, Elect Leaders

Idaho lawmakers are in Boise this week ahead of the 2013 legislative session, which starts January 7.  Beginning this afternoon, there’s a new legislator orientation for the more than 30 percent of lawmakers who are newcomers. Legislators meet behind closed doors Wednesday evening to determine leadership positions for the coming session. The contest for the […]

Associated Taxpayers Of Idaho Conference Brings BIPAC President Back For Encore Talk

One unofficial kickoff to Idaho’s annual legislative session is the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference.  And it’s already here.  On Dec. 5, the business group hosts its day-long conference, packed with national and local speakers. One speaker from last year is returning for an encore talk.  Greg Casey is the president and CEO of the […]

Idaho Gov. Otter Delays Health Insurance Exchange Decision

Governor C.L. “Butch” said in a news release this morning he’ll wait to consult with Idaho Legislative leaders before deciding if the state will create its own health insurance exchange. Late yesterday afternoon, the  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it would give states until Dec. 14 to decide if they’ll create a […]

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