I think it's a fairly unanimous call ringing throughout the Statehouse - "We're going to be done by the 21st."
Here's a brief update on what's been going on in the Idaho Legislature since my last post. To put it simply -- a LOT has been going on. We've past the "date of no return," in other words, no more new legislation can be introduced, and today is the goal date for the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the budget-setters, to wrap up the state's 2015 budget.
Here's the update from The Argonaut --
The full House passed Senate Bill 1254, the bill that would allow concealed firearm carry on Idaho college and university campuses, by a 50-19 vote. It will now be moving on to Gov. Otter's desk -- and in the past he said he supports it.
JFAC set the budget for 4-year colleges and universities, giving them a 6.6% increase in funding along with a 2% uptick in employee compensation.
Otter signed the "ag-gag" bill -- Senate Bill 1337 -- the one that would punish activists who surreptitiously gather photos or video of an agricultural production without owner permission. The bill stemmed from a video of employees severely abusing cows at a large southern Idaho dairy. But, Greek yogurt maker Chobani wrote a letter to Gov. Otter requesting he veto. He's one of the key stakeholders in the dairy business, as his $450 million-dollar factory brought over 500 jobs to Twin Falls, Idaho. There have been no statements that Otter will reconsider.
And finally, Otter is officially running for a third term as Idaho governor. That is all.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Session in Review
The 62nd Idaho Legislature will begin
its third month of session in two weeks, bringing with it a
considerable number of bills moving through both the House and Senate
side for further review.
President Pro Tempore Brent Hill said
the session is looking to end right on their goal date of March 21,
and much business is taking place on the House and Senate floor week
after week to ensure ending by that goal.
Two of the state's primary topics –
education funding and justice reinvestment – have moved smoothly
from each side of the Statehouse.
Funding education
Joint chairs of
the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Sen. Dean Cameron,
R-Rupert, and Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, said education is in the
forefront of JFAC's mind while setting the budget for fiscal year
2015.
While putting the
state's budget together, they said it is very much a piece-by-piece
process.
“We either set
(the education budget) first to make sure we can put everything we've
got into it, or we set it last to make sure we've gathered everything
we can for it,” Cameron said.
JFAC has set March
7 as their target date to have the budget completed. The
state public education budget is the single largest budget in the
state's ledger book.
Reinvesting in justice
Figuring out just how the Idaho State
Prisons would change hands from private contracted control to state
control has been an issue for select lawmakers since June 2013.
Marc Pelka, program director of the
Council of State Government Justice Center has collaborated with
lawmakers over the past eight months to create a batch of policies to
decrease recidivism and increase responsible spending within state's
the prison system. By tweaking programming and establishing a process
focusing on treatment and probation, the state is able to save
millions of dollars by not having to build a new prison facility.
Senate Bill 1254 – One of the
most-discussed issues of the session, this bill would allow concealed
gun carry on state university and college campuses. After passing
through the full Senate by a 25-10 vote, the bill is currently in
review by the House. It is expected to be up for hearing later this
week.
SB 1271 – A bill sponsored by
one of the newest senators to the Idaho Legislature, Sen. Janie
Ward-Engelking, in conjunction with 13-year-old Ilah Hickman, to make
the Idaho giant salamander the state's official amphibian. Hickman
pitched the idea to a House committee last year but never received a
hearing. This year the Senate State Affairs Committee voted in favor
of the bill, and it will next move to the House for approval before
landing on the governor's desk for introduction to law.
SB 1327 – The full Senate
voted unanimously to allow schools to supply Epi-Pens and similar
allergy-related lifesaving items in case of an unexpected and severe
allergic reaction. The bill will now move through the House for
continued examining.
SB 1337 – Called the “ag-gag”
bill, this would criminalize taking video or photos of an
agricultural-based operation without owner permission. The bill was
created following the leak of a video containing images of severe
abuse to cows at a large southern Idaho dairy. The House Agriculture
Committee voted 13-1 in favor of the bill.
SB 1357 – Called the “justice
reinvestment bill,” this bill utilizes the study crafted by the
Council of State Government Justice Center to reduce the percentage
of the prison population that soon re-offends after being released
and rework programming and sentencing to save space in the prisons.
It received unanimous support from the Senate Judiciary Committee and
is currently moving to the full Senate.
House Bill 426 – This bill
presented another hot-button bill in this session of the legislature.
Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, 426 would protect professional
liscensure in the case of violations when citing “sincerely held
religious beliefs.” This bill never received a public hearing, and
isn't likely to advance.
HB 427 – Luker's companion
bill to HB 426, this bill would make it legal to protect individuals
who deny services to others if they cite religious beliefs. Following
a three-and-a-half hour public hearing largely in disapproval of the
bill, it passed through the House State Affairs Committee on a 11-5
vote to general orders, but isn't likely to advance for the remainder
of the session.
HB 470 – Gov. Otter listed
wolves as one of his main priorities in the State of the State
address Jan. 6, 2014. Now, HB 470 is bringing that priority into
focus by injecting $2 million into the creation and operation of a
state board to manage the wolf population. The House voted 49-16 in
favor of creating the board. Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, said the state
is increasingly losing control over the population, and 35 to 40
percent the wolf population needs to be harvested each year to
maintain balance.
HB 504 – This house bill would
grant $15.8 million in leadership bonuses to Idaho teachers,
beginning next year. Both the House and Senate Education Committees
are working to bring Idaho's teacher salaries and educational
programming more in like with the recommendations made by the
Governor's Task Force to Improve Education. HB 504 would set up a
reward system in which teachers deemed deserving by their district
receive the awards. The bill passed through the full House in a 62-6
vote then passed through the Senate Education Committee and will soon
be seen by the full Senate. If approved by the full Senate, it will
travel to Gov. Otter's desk to become law.
Monday, February 24, 2014
ISU Nuclear Program At Risk
Since the passing of Senate Bill 1254 –
the bill allowing concealed gun carry on state university and college
campuses – Idaho State University has raised issue with Idaho Gov.
C.L. “Butch” Otter concerning their nuclear research unit.
ISU's nuclear research unit runs on the
guidelines set by the national Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which
has a zero-tolerance policy regarding firearms at licensed nuclear
facilities. ISU President Arthur Vailas told Otter the research
program is at risk if the legislature continues to support
introducing concealed firearms on campus.
Gov. Otter said he had no idea as to
the commission's guidelines.
SB 1254 is scheduled for a committee
hearing in the House State Affairs Committee Thursday, Feb. 27.
Read Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell's story here.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Playing Catch-Up
Sen. Dan Schmidt, D-Moscow, stands to debate Senate Bill 1254 - the highly-controversial bill allowing concealed weapons on campus Tuesday, Feb. 18 on the Senate Floor. The bill passed 25-10. |
This week we've seen the S.E.C.U.R.E Idaho Campuses Act -- Senate Bill 1254 -- pass through the full Senate by a 25-10 vote, as well as the pulling of Rep. Lynn Luker's highly controversial religious freedoms bills from the House reading calendar. I suspect they're both pulled for the remainder of the session, but we'll see.
Here's a quick update on stories from Boise in The Argonaut:
Breaking barriers to post secondary education, right here.
Campus carry continues, the bill passed through the Senate Floor. Read that here.
Finding fiscal balance, right here.
Read today's edition of The Argonaut right here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Breakfast with the Governor
Chapter President Clark Corbin is moderating the "on-the-record" meeting today. |
Here's an update on work in The Argonaut:
Religious protections bill up for hearing, receives negative response
Combining technology, education: Technology to bolster SBOE efforts
Students say no to concealed carry: UI, ISU, BSU student body representatives vote against concealed campus carry
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Friday, February 7, 2014
Update from The Argonaut
UI Interim President Don Burnett sits next to other state college and university presidents at the SBOE meeting Monday, Feb. 3. |
Happy Friday!
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Luker's Bill Receives a Hearing
"Add the Words" organizer Mistie Tolman speaks at the Add the Words rally Jan. 11 at the Capitol. Tolman testified against HB427 today in front of the House State Affairs Committee. |
There are currently 21 individuals listed to testify, and the group is roughly one-half of the way through the list.
So far, only two individuals have testified in support of the bill. Julie Lynde and a member of the board of directors of Cornerstone Family Council said the bill is a necessary technical update to Idaho's current laws.
You can listen to the rest of the hearing live right here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
What I'm Reading - Aside from Boise Work
February's Cover Girl: Mallory Faye. http://haveheartmagazine.com |
Here's my recipe for an incredible Spinach-Walnut Pizza.
A review on the best E.L.F crayon-style lipsticks to travel with.
Find more about HaveHeart:
@HaveHeartMag on Twitter
@HaveHeartMag on Twitter
instagram.com/haveheartmagazine
https://www.facebook.com/HaveHeartMagazine
http://www.pinterest.com/HaveHeartMag/
I'm also loving the travel blog, Adventurous Kate. She's a twenty-something who lives in Boston working as a freelance writer when she's not chipping away at her goal to travel the globe. I love the fact that she's just plain practical and, well, adventurous.
For (brutally honest, applicable and useful) advice on saving money for traveling, look no farther than her blog.
She also writes about balancing work and travel, packing tips and her own international recommendations. What can I say? I think I've got the travel bug.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
In the Argonaut
A photo taken yesterday, another group of silent protesters stand at the top of the stairs, blocking entrance to the second floor of the Capitol. |
Right of way for rights bill, on the upcoming service-denial bill - found here.
SBOE votes no concealed carry, on the State Board of Education's decision to reject SB-1254 on allowing firearms on campus -- link found here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Monday, February 3, 2014
Arrests at the Capitol, "Add the Words" activists create human blockade
A photo taken today by Melissa Davlin from Idaho Reports. Police reports said all 43 were arrested as they barred access to the Senate Chambers. |
But in the midst of the SBOE meeting, my Twitter began blowing up with reports of protesters being arrested in groups. 43 "Add the Words" activists silently lined up, hands over their mouths, in front of the access to the Senate Chambers.
Judge J. Clifford Wallace addressed the crowd at the Denton Darrington Annual Lecture on Law and Government today at 4 p.m. in the Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium. |
The day was concluded with the first edition of the Denton Darrington Annual Lecture on Law and Government, featuring Judge J. Clifford Wallace of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit as appointed by Nixon.
Whew. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Friday, January 31, 2014
Capitol Report for KUOI
Just posted - here's an update on my stories broadcast on KUOI, the University of Idaho's student-ran radio station.
Link found here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Link found here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
LGBT service-denial bill passes in committee
Here's a brief right from the pages of the Argonaut - find the link here.
BOISE — The House State Affairs Committee in the Idaho Legislature unanimously passed a bill that would allow businesses and medical professionals to deny service to gay individuals, as well as unmarried mothers, without losing licensure — as long as they cite religious beliefs.
Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, said the bill would also allow teachers to deny educating a student if they are gay.
Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, is a proponent for the “Add the Words” campaign — a campaign to add equal protections for the state’s LGBT population to the Idaho Human Rights Act. Burgoyne said Luker’s bill is bringing an opportunity to have a conversation in the legislature about the state’s slashing equal rights for gays. He said he is hoping to change minds on the issue before the bill is passed.
There is no date set for the hearing. More information will be available next week.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Week in review
Wow - this week has brought with it a lot of rumbling in the Idaho legislature. So much I haven't quite had time to update the blog. Here are a few quick links to my stories in The Argonaut with a bit of a review.
Here's the official Argonaut updated on Campus Carry. Link found here.
Here's a piece celebrating the 125th birthday of the University of Idaho on Vandals working in Boise. Link found here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Monday, January 27, 2014
Campus carry
(L-R): Sen. Fulcher, secretary Twyla Melton, Chairman Senator McKenzie prepare to discuss workers' compensation rights, Idaho's draft legislation, wine manufacturing and campus carry. |
The Senate Affairs Committee is meeting now to discuss multiple subjects, one of them being campus gun carry. The University of Idaho currently allows students to store personal firearms in a lock box in the "police substation," and allows students to check out their firearms for recreational use.
Campus carry is the last item on today's agenda. I'll be posting the Associated Student's of the University of Idaho, ASUI's, official statement once it's official.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Friday, January 24, 2014
Rebooting Otter's executive budget
Here's the full story from the Argonaut on Mike Ferguson's "Responsible Alternative to the Executive Budget."
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
"Meet the Vandals"
The University of Idaho sponsored "Meet the Vandals" at the Riverside Hotel in Boise yesterday to educate prospective students and their parents. The event offered seminars on financial aid and student life, and also included an opportunity for students to apply to the university.
Here's a shot published in the Argonaut today of ASUI lobbyist Ashley Morehouse answering questions at the event. Morehouse will be living in Boise until the end of the legislative session -- her main duty is to discuss the needs of UI students with state legislators.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
New session, new ideas
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter gives the State of the State address Monday, Jan. 6 in the House Chambers. Otter said furthering education funding tops his list of priorities for the 2015 budget. |
BOISE — Today marks the end of the second week of the 2014 legislative session, and much has been discussed, beginning with Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s State of the State address Jan. 6.
In it, Otter said his three primary goals for this year’s budget are education, securing state water and control of Idaho’s wolf population, but other issues including the changing hands of the Idaho Correctional Facility, an increase in state employee compensation and more have crossed the desks of legislators so far.
Otter introduced his “blueprint for going forward,” which will include a focus on K-through-Career education funding and a five-year plan to replenish the state’s rainy day funds.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Monday, January 20, 2014
Also today, the "alternative budget"
Michael Ferguson, director of the policy center, said the budget plan would significantly increase funding for education, educators and public schools - by nearly $70 billion, in fact.
"While (the alternative budget) reflects a vastly different set of priorities than embodied in (Otter's) Executive Budget, it relies on the Executive Budget for basic parameters and framework used in developing a state budget," Ferguson said. "It is intended to show that Idaho does have the resources in fiscal year 2015 to provide meaningful increases to Idaho's public schools."
The press conference included three other speakers.
Jerry Evans: Was superintendent of public instruction for 16 years.
Marilyn Howard: Was superintendent of public instruction for 7 years.
Cindy Wilson: Teacher at Capital High School in Boise and member of the Gov.'s education task force.
Mike Lanza: Organizer of state-wide anti-"Students Come First" legislation and also member of the Gov.'s task force.
The alternative budget would also include an 4% change in employee compensation, $35 million to the Department of Health and Welfare budget, as well as a call for a reinvestment of $30 million into the state of Idaho rather than relinquish the dollars for tax reductions.
Find the complete report and alternative budget plan here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Education Week at the Capitol
Education week in Boise began at 8 a.m. with a presentation from Idaho State Board of Education President Don Soltman. Here are some quick facts from his presentation:
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
SBOE President Don Soltman presented to JFAC today at 8 a.m. Soltman said Idaho education may be at a tough place now, but with further funding will improve. |
- Idaho's high school graduation rate is currently within the top 10 in the country at 84%
- The state's rate of high school grads next entering into post-secondary education is one of the nation's lowest at 46%, having just fallen from 49% in 2012
- Here's Idaho breakdown of higher-ed student demographics:
- Academic Undergraduate: 82,716 students
- Graduate/Professional: 12,700
- Professional/Technical: More than 4,000
The SBOE is pushing for reform in what Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter coined "K-through-Career" education to achieve what could be a touch feat - 60% of all Idahoans between the ages of 25-34 to earn a professional or technical certificate by year 2020. The state is currently sitting at 35%, (5% lower than the national average) but Soltman didn't have data on whether that number was influenced by or included students whom have left the state for higher-ed opportunities.
SBOE is aiming for 60% following a survey taken on 450 Idaho business leaders. Following the survey, they found that business leaders project 67.4% of all Idaho jobs will require a professional/technical certificate or diploma.
"Education makes a difference for our economy and our individuals - it's an investment," Soltman said. "I know we have a challenge convincing our population to invest in education."
The SBOE will present again Friday, Jan. 24. More information to come.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Phone Photos, Week 2
From learning about the state's upcoming legislation on criminal justice reinvestment to trail running with Poncho the dog, here photos from Week 2 in Boise.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Poncho is enjoying Boise thoroughly. |
Sen. Patti Lodge, R-Huston, and Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry, stand for questions following the presentation of the Idaho reinvestment report, Thursday, Jan. 15. |
Marc Pelka, program director of the Council of State Government Justice Center, presents the report to the interim committee and public Thursday, Jan. 15 in the Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium. |
The dog. |
Beautiful 8-mile trail run in Hulls Gulch. |
More Hulls Gulch. |
Seeing the Capitol while hoofing it in the foothills. |
Leaving the Hulls Rec Area. |
Thursday, January 16, 2014
'Significant voice of change'
Introducing the "future governor of Idaho," Jill Humble. A resident of Boise for 10 years, Jill is an educator in the field of mental health nursing.
"This has been a gift," Jill said. "I feel blessed to be working with people."
Allen said the majority of her signatures have come from Ada and Canyon counties, they're making solid progress toward the ballot presence.
"This is very grassroots. We have no business donations, no corporate donations," Allen said. "She's going to be a significant voice of change."
Allen said they've been putting in between 10 and 12 hour days while gathering signatures.
"Jill will be campaigning for full gay rights, and to remove the government completely from women's health care," Allen said. "If you don't like it, don't vote for her."
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
"This has been a gift," Jill said. "I feel blessed to be working with people."
Allen said the majority of her signatures have come from Ada and Canyon counties, they're making solid progress toward the ballot presence.
"This is very grassroots. We have no business donations, no corporate donations," Allen said. "She's going to be a significant voice of change."
Allen said they've been putting in between 10 and 12 hour days while gathering signatures.
"Jill will be campaigning for full gay rights, and to remove the government completely from women's health care," Allen said. "If you don't like it, don't vote for her."
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Giving hope, ensuring safety
From the Arg, covering the rally from last Saturday.....
Under Idaho state law, it is still possible to fire a person on the basis of sexual orientation — just as it is lawful to ban a person from renting an apartment or discriminate against members of the LGBT community when they seek public accommodation.
Under Idaho state law, it is still possible to fire a person on the basis of sexual orientation — just as it is lawful to ban a person from renting an apartment or discriminate against members of the LGBT community when they seek public accommodation.
“This is the year to change that,” said Mistie Tolman, organizer of the Add the Words movement, a Boise group working toward the addition of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act.
The activist group put on a rally at 1 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Idaho Statehouse as a message to lawmakers that discrimination needs to end.
Read the full article here.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Friday, January 10, 2014
#AddTheWords
I just found this out today as a group of four high school students came into the press room at the Statehouse looking for someone to cover their story not long after I arrived. There will be a rally tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Statehouse in efforts to add the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Idaho Human Rights Act.
I'll be there and tweeting as much as possible with the #idleg and #AddTheWords hashtags. Follow those to get info as it comes available.
Here's the description of Saturday's event, straight from the Add the Words Facebook.
An informational piece on tomorrow's event can be read here, and more information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/addthewords.
Here is another piece from KBOI2.com that discusses the Boise City Council meeting where the non-discrimination ordinance received public testimony.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
I'll be there and tweeting as much as possible with the #idleg and #AddTheWords hashtags. Follow those to get info as it comes available.
Here's the description of Saturday's event, straight from the Add the Words Facebook.
Description of the Add the Words movement from its Facebook. |
An informational piece on tomorrow's event can be read here, and more information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/addthewords.
Here is another piece from KBOI2.com that discusses the Boise City Council meeting where the non-discrimination ordinance received public testimony.
This photo from the "Add the Words" Facebook page gives the details on when and where the rally will take place. Follow and use the hashtag, #addthewords, Saturday to learn more. |
Continuing with the CEC
Today is the final meeting of the joint CEC committee, which I noted here, has reconvened for the first time since 2008.
The committee will be hearing a presentation from Bryon Welch, principle evaluator at the Office of Performance Evaluations, a review of the 2013 Hay Group Total Compensation Study, followed by a 15-minute presentation from State Controller Brandon Woolf.
Then, co-chairmen Sen. John Tippets and Rep. Neil Anderson, along with Senior Budget and Policy Analyst Robyn Lockett will discuss and consider motions.
Some notes from today:
According to survey performed by the state Office of
Performance Evaluations, 25 percent of responding state employees said they
plan to leave their current job within the next two years. Poor compensation and
lack of career advancement opportunities were cited as the primary reasons for
increasing employee turnover.
Welch, principal evaluator at the OPE, said there is a discrepancy
between the legislative intent of compensation policies and their actual
implementation.
Updates to come.
From Welch's presentation. While this bit was created a year ago, employees were polled recently and Welch said this information still stands true. |
Also from Welch's presentation - considerations that the OPE would like to see the committee take today. |
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
'Nothing happens until people start talking'
City Club hosted the Idaho Political Pundits' Predictions today at the Boise Centre. |
Moderator Jim Weatherby took questions from the audience asking for the reporters' opinions concerning whether lawmakers would be considering same-sex marriage, Medicaid expansion, decriminalization of marijuana and more.
Here's a quick list of questions asked today:
- Is Idaho's public defender system broken?
Russell said the state has come under fire for it's poor public defender system, saying some have said the system is "nearly unconstitutional." Groups have come together to attempt to aid the problem, but Russell said the gains of those are incredibly incremental, and may not be sufficient any time soon.
- Will there be a separate CEC for teachers, and are teachers even being considered in the CEC?
It's clear that the governor isn't interested in a wage increase this year, and that includes for teachers. Russell brought up an interesting fact - Idaho law demands the state offer competitive wages despite times of economic downturn. She said that fact has largely been ignored as state wages have suffered. More information on CEC items to come following the end of the forum Friday.
More questions from today coming later this afternoon...
One of the largest questions at the forum consisted of this: Will lawmakers avoid hot-button issues in efforts to speed up the session to get home and start campaigning, while also avoid conflict thus avoid losing popularity?
Well, that question is on everyone's mind, and many seem to understand that the session itself might truly suffer because of the upcoming election. More will come.
Find more information on the City Club here.
thriveidaho
"thriveidaho" is a health promotion program for Idaho employees targeted to reward healthy behavior. |
After enrolling in thriveidaho, state employees who employ healthy behavior and make healthful decisions as outlined by the site will be given monetary rewards and more.
Luna focused her presentation about thriveidaho on a quote by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter:
"It's a lot less expensive to keep people healthy than it is to get them healthy after they've had a problem," Otter said in a thriveidaho event at the Capitol Rotunda in October of 2013.
More information about thriveidaho can be found at www.thrive.idaho.gov.
In addition to introducing thriveidaho, more changes were made to the state health plan in 2013. According to Luna's presentation, 2014 brings the removal of the $20 in-network co-pay for Wellness Visits on the PPO Plan, as well as the removal of a $250 limit for Wellness Visits on Traditional & High Deductible Plan.
Here's a snap of Luna's slide describing the introduced changes.
In Luna's presentation - changes to the state health plan. |
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Return of the CEC Committee
The Joint Change in Employee Compensation Committee is meeting now in the Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium for the first time since 2008.
The forum started at 1:15 p.m. and will run until 4:45, with a short break from 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. It will continue tomorrow, Jan. 8, from 1:15 - 5 p.m. and again Friday the 10th from 1:30 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday's session will include public testimonies from state employees from 3:15 to 5 p.m.
Watch the forum live here: http://www.idahoptv.org/insession/
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Rep. Stephen Hartgen (R-Twin Falls) speaking prior to the opening of the Joint CEC Committee forum today in the Idaho Capitol Lincoln Auditorium. |
Jeff Youtz, director of the legislative services office and former
member of the CEC Committee, said the committee is an extremely important forum
to ensure the state legislature is in touch with the needs of Idaho’s
employees.
Youtz described the history of the CEC committee, which in the past met
a few days before the beginning of the session to nail out the details of the year’s
employee compensation changes. He said he hopes the CEC Committee continues to meet annually in the future, because understanding appropriate employee
compensation changes is a vital part of the state’s yearly budget puzzle.
Today's featured speakers included Youtz, Senior Budget and Policy Analyst of LSO Robyn Lockett, as well as Director of the Department of Administration Teresa Luna and also Program Manager of Group Insurance Division Amy Johnson.
The forum started at 1:15 p.m. and will run until 4:45, with a short break from 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. It will continue tomorrow, Jan. 8, from 1:15 - 5 p.m. and again Friday the 10th from 1:30 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday's session will include public testimonies from state employees from 3:15 to 5 p.m.
Watch the forum live here: http://www.idahoptv.org/insession/
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Monday, January 6, 2014
Photo Dump | Jan. 6
The 2nd session of the 62nd Idaho legislature convened today following Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's State of the State address. I was there, front and center, (OK - more like just to Otter's right), with a handful of other area reporters. My story will be up at The Argonaut soon - I'll post the link when it is.
For now, here are a few photos from in and around the Capitol building.
For now, here are a few photos from in and around the Capitol building.
a) A high school choir performed in the Capitol Rotunda...and took pictures of themselves on every floor
b) Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter giving the State of the State address in the House Chambers
c) Following the address, waiting in the chambers for closing comments
d) *Butch Otter has left the building*
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
'Blueprint for going forward'
Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter met with the media Friday, for a preview of the upcoming legislative session. |
Straight from the webpages of the Argonaut...
Despite the 2014 legislative session being just a day shy of its commencement date, Idaho’s Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter spoke with reporters and the public during the Associated Press legislative preview Friday, about what he thinks will be the most important issues to cover throughout upcoming weeks.
Despite the 2014 legislative session being just a day shy of its commencement date, Idaho’s Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter spoke with reporters and the public during the Associated Press legislative preview Friday, about what he thinks will be the most important issues to cover throughout upcoming weeks.
In what Otter called his “blueprint for going forward,” the foremost issues the Idaho Legislature will cover include deciphering Idaho’s role in the changing healthcare laws, the state’s takeover of the formerly privately-operated prison, Otter’s five-year plan for refilling the state’s piggy bank, and most importantly, he said, to put more funding into education.
“This year we’ll be able to start out with a very aggressive fulfillment of that agreement (to support education) and that promise,” Otter said.
Read the full piece here: http://www.uiargonaut.com/2014/01/05/blueprint-for-going-forward/
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Associated Press Legislative Preview
As of today, we’re simply two days shy
of the start of the start of the legislative session – Gov. C.L. “Butch”
Otter’s state of the state address on Monday. Until then, he staved off the media
by giving a brief tease as to what would be appearing in the address as well as
what would be the legislature’s primary issues.
Media set up cameras to hone in on Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter during his short speech at the the AP Legislative Preview Jan. 3 in the Capitol. Instagram: @crchloerambo |
He said there would be four areas of
focus throughout the upcoming legislative session – what Otter called his
“blueprint for moving forward.” Education funding, deciphering Idaho’s role in
changing healthcare laws, the state’s plans to begin running the previously
privatized Idaho Correctional Center, as well as Otter’s five-year plan for
replenishing the state’s piggy bank.
"The first year -- which we'll be announcing Monday -- will be written in ink, the next four will be written in pencil," Otter said.
Following the governor’s short speech,
he took a series of questions from the media. The reporters, while trying to
get more information on Monday’s address, asked Otter to touch on a range of
topics from the state’s future jurisdiction on same-sex marriage, whether the
state’s mild winter would create a shortage of usable water come spring, how the legislature would handle funding Boise's public transportation, as well as how funding education could be this year's biggest issue.
"The state of Idaho is doing great," Otter said. "Could it do better? Yes. Will it do better? We hope so."
More information will be released on Monday, Jan. 6 following Otter's address.
Twitter: @crchloerambo | Instagram: @crchloerambo | The Argonaut
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