Highlights from 03-05-2013

TEACHERS

House OKs ending early retirement

A bill ending a retirement incentives program for teachers is one step closer to becoming law after getting a nod from a House committee over objections from the teachers union.

The measure approved in the House Education Committee Tuesday eliminates early retirement benefits for teachers nearing the end of their career.

That program was dumped under the 2011 Students Come First laws but reinstated when voters repealed those measures in November.

The Associated Press

CONCEALED WEAPONS

Bill: Get background checks from sheriff

A lawmaker aims to clear up confusion over where concealed weapon permit seekers can get a copy of their background checks.

Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, says a constituent who applied for and was granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon got mixed signals when trying to get a copy of the required background check. The county sheriff told him to go to the Idaho State Police; the state police directed him to the county sheriff.

Perry's bill would make it clear that anybody wanting a copy of their background check following their permit application would be able to get it from the county sheriff.

The bill was introduced Tuesday in the House State Affairs Committee.

The Associated Press

CHARTER SCHOOLS

House approves funding bill

Charter schools are one step closer to getting state funding to help offset building and maintenance costs.

The Idaho House on Tuesday voted 42-27 to give up to $1.4 million in relief next year to the 40 nontraditional schools operating in Idaho. It now goes to the Senate.

In some ways, the vote was historic, marking the first time a legislative body agreed to use general fund revenue for charter school facilities costs.

Proponents say the bill is needed for charter schools to survive. But several Republicans sided with Democrats to defeat the bill, arguing it saps funds that cash-strapped traditional schools need.

The Associated Press

SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Senate committee backs safety bill

A proposal to beef up school security with armed bus drivers, metal detectors and other options passed the Senate Education Committee.

It requires school districts to develop safety plans in coordination with the sheriff.

Meridian Republican Sen. Marv Hagedorn says he wants to give districts flexibility to enact security measures appropriate for their schools and community.

The bill does not detail specific options available to schools. But Hagedorn has said he could envision schools arming teachers or bus drivers and installing metal detectors.

The Associated Press

NEW BUILDINGS

Boise Chamber backs three projects

The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce supports nearly $6 million in construction and renovation projects before the budget committee at 8 a.m. Wednesday:

• $2.4 million for the first phase of renovating the Idaho State Historical Museum in Julia Davis Park.

• $1.9 million for constructing an anatomy and physiology laboratory at the Idaho State University's Meridian Campus.

• $1.5 million for renovating the former Ada County Courthouse to be the Boise campus of the University of Idaho's law school.

Statesman staff

PAYDAY LOANS

Crackdown bill won't be introduced

In January, Sen. Lee Heider, R-Twin Falls, held a joint press conference with the Idaho Community Action Network to announce he would sponsor legislation to cap payday loan rates at 36 percent. But on Tuesday, Heider said he wouldn't introduce the bill until at least next session.

Heider said he's learned that in Idaho, fees assessed by payday loan companies are included in the interest rate. If the loan rate is capped at 36 percent, many companies won't make much profit on the loans, he said.

"We'd have to revamp the way we calculate the interest rate," he said.

Melissa Davlin, (Twin Falls)Times-News

BALLOT MEASURES

Action delayed on initiatives bill

The Senate State Affairs Committee postponed action Monday on legislation making it harder for initiatives and referendums to qualify for the ballot. It's the second time the panel has run out of time before debating the bill.

Lewiston Tribune