Highlights from 02-04-2013

LISTENING SESSIONS

Ed committees set a second hearing

House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, announced a joint session to be held by the House and Senate education committees for Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Senate Auditorium.

The afternoon time was chosen for members of the public who could not attend the previous listening session, held in the morning.

The session last Friday was so successful that the committees decided a second meeting was warranted, DeMordaunt said.

Betsy Z. Russell, Spokesman-Review

RACY SUPER BOWL AD

‘Staff error’ blamed for Labrador tweet

An inadvertent post on Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador's Twitter account by a staffer lauded a TV show that was advertised during the Super Bowl on Sunday.

The tweet, which read “Me likey Broke Girls,” was deleted after 14 seconds but is viewable through a website that collects deleted tweets from politicians. Labrador’s office apologized.

Staff member Phil Hardy was apparently responsible — he tweeted the same statement on his personal Twitter account just after Labrador’s post was deleted, and he added that he’d never seen an episode of the show.

In the ad, the two female stars of CBS’ “2 Broke Girls” are scantily clad and pole dancing.

Politicians sometimes have staff members post on social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook under their name.

Statesman staff

SALES TAX

Break offered for pregnancy clinics

Facilities that don’t perform abortions would be exempt from Idaho’s state sales tax under a personal bill introduced by Rep. Kelly Packer, R-McCammon.

The measure, HB 62, was prompted by Stanton Healthcare, the organization that last year staged a live demonstration of ultrasounds on pregnant women in the state Capitol.

Packer said the organization purchased two ultrasound machines and had to pay about $6,000 in sales tax. “Pregnancy resource clinics provide a wonderful benefit to teens and young women who find themselves in an unexpected situation,” Packer said. “Taking resources from them, in the form of taxes, creates a financial burden.”

State Impact, Boise State Radio

CONGRESSIONAL FORUM

Risch to speak at Owyhee Plaza

Sen. Jim Risch will be featured at the Feb. 21 event, to be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the hotel.

The chamber congressional forums are presented by Blue Cross of Idaho, and Risch’s talk is sponsored by Intermountain Gas and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and co-sponsored by St. Luke’s.

The luncheon is $35 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. Prices go up $10 on Feb. 18.

For tickets or more information, visit the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Dan Popkey