LAST WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Budget writers all ears: Medicaid recipients, family members, providers and advocates called on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to restore $35 million cut from Medicaid in the current fiscal year. The often-emotional testimony at Friday’s public hearing drew more than 300 people to the Capitol Auditorium.
A boost for Occupy Boise: The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-1 Wednesday to consider changes to a bill meant to oust protesters from camping on state-managed properties. The bill had sailed out of the Idaho House on a near party-line 54-16 vote, giving the impression it faced smooth sailing on its way through the Senate to Gov. Butch Otter’s desk. But after about two hours of testimony, almost all of which came from supporters of the free-speech vigil at the old Ada County Courthouse, Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill said he was open to allowing protesters to remain until July 1.
Panel puts brakes on truck speed bill: A measure that would have allowed semi trucks to head down Idaho interstates at 75 mph like the rest of the cars on the road never made it out of the Senate Transportation Committee. Truckers were split on the proposal, and law enforcement backed it.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK
Senate Resources and Environment Committee: On Monday afternoon, the panel will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that says the rights to hunt, fish and trap “are a valued part of the heritage of the state of Idaho and shall forever be preserved for the people.”
The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee: On Monday the panel will consider Gov. Butch Otter's nominee for state appellate public defender, Sara Thomas of Meridian.
Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee: The state’s budget writers will hear budget requests from the Department of Labor (Tuesday) and the Transportation Department (Friday). JFAC members have daily budget hearings scheduled through Feb. 17. After that, they will begin proposing budget recommendations for the Legislature to consider.
FOR THE COMPLETE AGENDA, GO TO LEGISLATURE.IDAHO.GOV/SESSIONINFO/AGENDA.HTM
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