Highlights from 03-14-2013

ROAD FINANCING

Tax committee kills highway projects plan

The House Revenue and Taxation Committee dumped a bid to help developers to finance highway projects with bonds backed by Idaho sales taxes.

Representatives said Thursday they were leery of putting Idaho taxpayers on the hook, if tax revenue promised to accompany such projects to pay for the bonds doesn't materialize.

Jeremy Pisca, a lobbyist representing developer M3 with land along Idaho 16, proposed the "Transportation and Economic Development Zone."

Pisca said strict rules would protect Idaho from risky endeavors - while freeing up money for infrastructure projects.

But Rep. Lenore Barrett of Challis dubbed it a "fly now, pay later" government program that could backfire.

The Associated Press

SYNTHETIC DRUGS

Two new marijuana formulas would be banned

The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to add two versions of synthetic marijuana - known as "spice" - to the state's list of banned substances.

The new formulas have recently been identified by the state forensics lab.

The Associated Press

FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES

Panel approves bill on reopening teacher contracts

A bill brought by the Idaho teachers union that lowers the bar for school districts to declare a financial emergency is on its way to the Senate floor.

The Senate Education Committee approved the measure aimed at making it easier to reopen teacher salary negotiations during tough budget years easier for cash-strapped schools.

Current law requires school boards to show a 5 percent reduction in general funds or property tax revenue to qualify their economic condition as an emergency.

The bill sponsored by the Idaho Education Association teachers union would lower that threshold to 1.5 percent.

The Associated Press

TEACHER CONTRACTS

House legislators ratify 'last best offer' bill

House lawmakers agreed to give school districts the power to impose a final offer in cases when contract talks with teachers reach a stalemate.

The bill, approved on a 55-14 vote, was sought by the Idaho School Board Association.

The proposal now headed to the Senate would be limited to one year.

The Associated Press

TEACHER HIRING

Bill on salaries, staffing passes Education Committee

Idaho public schools could have more flexibility to hire fewer teachers and use money saved from those salaries for other programs under legislation passed by the House Education Committee on Thursday.

The bill gives districts power to employ 9.5 percent fewer teachers without risking so-called "use it or lose it" dollars usually set aside for teacher salaries.

The measure also allows schools to spend 15 percent of the money saved on salaries to send students to other schools.

The bill includes a one-year sunset provision.

The Associated Press

CAMPUS GROUPS

Bill allows some religious restrictions at public schools

Leaders of student religious groups at Idaho's public universities may soon have the right to restrict leadership positions.

A bill approved by the House Education Committee by party-line vote Thursday would bar universities from denying official recognition to faith-based organizations that want to require a statement of faith from leaders.

The Associated Press

IDAHO-MADE GUNS

House legislators OK bill to protect weapons

House lawmakers have gotten behind a bill protecting firearms manufactured in the state from any future attempts by the federal government to confiscate weapons.

The measure passed Thursday 61-7. It calls for exempting guns with a "Made in Idaho" stamp from any future federal restrictions on firearms already considered legal in the state.

Nampa Republican Rep. Christy Perry said the legislation sends a symbolic message to the federal government and protects Idahoans' Second Amendment rights.

The bill is one of two proposals making their way through the legislature intended to safeguard guns.

The Associated Press