Highlights from Tuesday, Jan. 22

OCCUPY BOISE

House delays vote on Capitol protest rules

Rules meant to govern protests at state-owned buildings around the Capitol bogged down again, after a House panel delayed a vote on adopting them.

The House State Affairs Committee said Tuesday it needed more time to scrutinize the rules, which govern, among other things, when and where people can gather to air their grievances. The Senate State Affairs Committee already rejected portions of the rules.

During the 2012 Legislature, lawmakers ordered the Department of Administration to draft rules to put a halt to protests like the Occupy Boise group that camped out at the state-owned old Ada County Courthouse.

But what the agency came up with has raised free-speech concerns.

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the state over the rules and wants them rejected outright.

The Associated Press

PREDATORY LENDING

Senator’s bill would cap payday loan rates

A Magic Valley senator is taking aim at the industry and the high interest rates companies charge customers.

Republican Sen. Lee Heider of Twin Falls says a bill he will introduce would cap interest rates at 36 percent and force full disclosure of loan terms.

Heider announced his plan Monday at a press conference with the Idaho Citizens Action Network. Heider said interest rates on payday loans can go as high as 500 percent.

Heider says he was inspired after one of his employees struggled paying back a high-interest loan.

Twin Falls Times News