Highlights from 02-11-2013

EDUCATION REFORM

Revised teacher bills introduced

The Senate Education Committee agreed Monday to debate three revised bills being pushed by the Idaho School Boards Association governing teacher contracts and negotiations.

Board Executive Director Karen Echeverria says the bills are similar to versions introduced by the committee last month, but changes were made following six hours of negotiations with lawmakers, the teachers union and school administrators.

Hannah Furfaro, The Associated Press

IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD

Mom OK with Otter missing her birthday

Gov. Butch Otter was at Fort Hood, Texas, on Saturday to welcome home Idaho National Guard troops after a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan.

To greet about 60 troops from the Idaho National Guard's Company A, 1-168 General Support Aviation Battalion, Otter had to skip a 98th-birthday brunch for his mother, Regina. She was born Feb. 9, 1915.

"But Mom said, 'You're doing the right thing,' " Otter said.

Otter served in the Idaho National Guard's 116th Armored Calvary from 1968-73 and wears a U.S. Army lapel pin.

The Associated Press

DISTRICT 17 DEMOCRATS

Lawmakers host meeting Tuesday

Sen. Elliot Werk, Rep. Sue Chew and Rep. John Gannon will take questions from the public from 7 to 9 p.m. at Horizon Elementary School library, 730 N. Mitchell St. in Boise.

The three Democrats hold monthly forums during the legislative session.

Dan Popkey

LISTENING SESSION

Ed committees host packed hearing

More than 350 people turned out for Monday afternoon's hearing on education before the House and Senate education committees. In addition to a full Capitol Auditorium, two additional committee rooms across the hall were close to full.

More than 65 people signed up to testify, and 33 did before House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, ended the session at 6 p.m. He encouraged those who didn't get a chance to speak to submit comments in writing.

Betsy Z. Russell,Spokesman-Review

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

Panel approves recruiting fund

The bill OK'd Monday by the House Business Committee would create a $3 million fund to help entice companies considering a move to Idaho.

Department of Commerce Director Jeff Sayer said Idaho recently used state funds to snag companies like Greek yogurt maker Chobani and aircraft parts company Unitech Composites. He says money that helps pay for new infrastructure increases competitiveness with nearby states.

Businesses seeking to tap the fund must prove they can meet certain economic benchmarks. Sayer says that protects taxpayer dollars.

The Associated Press

GUN CONTROL

Protesters target Latah GOP chairman

More than two dozen demonstrators called for the resignation of the Latah County official because of a letter sent to the Legislature on gun control recommendations.

Protesters lined up Saturday night on the sidewalk outside a hotel for the party's annual Lincoln Day dinner.

Jeff Williams, leader of a local militia, said that Walter Steed has no business heading a conservative group.

The letter was written by the Moscow City Council. Steed is the president of the council.

The letter contained recommendations from Police Chief David Duke, including stronger background checks, limiting access to high-capacity magazines and to the number of guns a person can buy at once.

Moscow Daily News

TAXING LANDS

Tribes to legislators: Counties must stop

Helo Hancock, a lobbyist for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe in North Idaho, told the House Revenue and Taxation Committee Monday the issue of taxing tribal government land arose in 2006.

Idaho tribes received a "flurry of assessments" on land that had once been homesteaded but later reacquired by tribal governments.

Hancock says land owned by tribal governments should be exempt from property taxes just like county, state and federal land.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe failed to work out a solution with Kootenai and Benewah counties, he said, so it wants legislators to intervene.

At stake is about $303,000 in assessments annually, for all five Idaho tribes.

The Associated Press