Category Archives: Uncategorized

Not Fraud On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I go from the Commerce and Human Resource Committee to the Health and Welfare Committee. It is rare I can see an overlap, but maybe I was looking for it this day. The … Continue reading →

 The Health and Welfare Department has undertaken an extensive two-year redesign of how they deliver services to children with disabilities. There were two main objectives of the changes. First, the new system was to have capability to individualize care plans. … Continue reading →

More H&W Cuts I heard four hours of historic testimony Friday before last. Over 80 people spoke, almost all saying cuts to state services would negatively impact their lives. One lady, a well-dressed 70-year-old paraplegic in a wheelchair told us … Continue reading →

First Vote   For the first time on Wednesday we had bills for the third reading. That is when they are before the Senate for debate and a final vote. For some of you the arcane meandering through committee and … Continue reading →

Yesterday morning in the Agricultural Affairs Committee we heard from two commissions. These are trade organizations established under authority of the legislature, given the right to tax their members for the purpose of promoting their industry and the state of … Continue reading →

In the last few sessions of the Idaho legislature more than 800 bills have been introduced each year. Over 600 get enacted into law. And we consider ourselves a conservative state? Maybe we should be doing less. I will now … Continue reading →

  We have scheduled breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I get emails, letters, packages and phone calls. I try to return the contacts whenever possible.  I got a real angry message on my phone this morning about “nullification”. He was upset … Continue reading →

Today we take testimony from the public regarding Health and Welfare cuts. Our governor, the voters and the majority of the legislature have clearly indicated that raising revenue, taxes, is not an option. So we must reduce what we spend. … Continue reading →

Any new job there’s alot of figuring out just how to do things. When to show up. Where the bathrooms are, what to wear. The answer to the last question is jacket and tie ALWAYS. Often a suit. I had … Continue reading →

  We hear more about the Superintendant’s and the Governor’s plan for reforming education in Idaho. The details fill in for where the money comes from and goes, what teachers will face in contracts and in the classroom, what students … Continue reading →