Highlights from 03-19-2013
MORALITY
Lawmakers want feds to curb 'indecent' TV
Legislators in Idaho's Republican-dominated House want the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on programs that portray premarital sex.
The measure approved 57-13 Tuesday urges the FCC to enforce "standards of decency" in TV programming some proponents equate to immoral behavior.
Republican Rep. Darrell Bolz, of Caldwell, said the measure simply asks the agency to get back to promoting standards. Boise Democrat Grant Burgoyne argued that efforts to limit broadcasters could amount to censorship.
The Associated Press
'ADD THE WORDS'
Meeting focuses on human rights
A presentation to a joint session of the House and Senate State Affairs committees at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium will examine extending human rights protections in Idaho.
Advocates want to "add the words" to the Idaho Human Rights Act that would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Business, religious and civic leaders presenting to the committees include Boise Police Chief Michael Masterson and Boise Valley Economic Partnership Executive Director Clark Krause.
Senate State Affairs Committee Chairman Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, scheduled the presentation but said the committee would not print or consider a bill.
Statesman staff
COOKIE TAX
Girl Scout tax break clears House
The bill passed on a 59-11 vote Tuesday, but it faces uncertainty in the Senate where that chamber's Republican leader said the bill may not even get a hearing.
Senate President Pro Tempore Brent Hill predicted last week that tax committee members would stiffen their backbones when it comes to enacting more tax exemptions - even for causes like the Girl Scouts.
The measure didn't face that kind of resistance in the House.
Priest Lake Republican Eric Anderson said Tuesday that ending the tax - which generates $140,000 annually - would help the organization put more money back into scholarships.
The Associated Press
SYNTHETIC POT
Senate OKs bill to outlaw substances
The Senate voted 34-1 on Tuesday to add new formulas of the drugs - known among users as "spice" - to the state's list of banned substances.
Sen. Bob Nonini, a Coeur d'Alene Republican, was the lone dissenter. The bill goes to the House.
The measure comes after lawmakers in 2010 outlawed a variety of chemicals that mimic the effects of cannabis and other new products that contain organic leaves coated with chemicals that provide a marijuanalike high when smoked.
The Associated Press
TEACHER PERFORMANCE
Education panel OKs layoffs bill
Seniority would no longer be used as the sole criteria when Idaho school districts determine teacher layoffs under a bill advanced by a Senate committee.
The legislation represents a rare moment of agreement between school boards and the state teachers union.
The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to send the proposal to the Senate floor.
Under the measure, school boards could consider factors such as teacher performance evaluations when trimming teacher staff to meet budget needs.
The Associated Press
TEACHER HIRING
Committee kills bill to redirect ed money
Legislation pushed by the chairman of the Idaho House Education Committee to divert more than $12 million in education funding to hire new teachers has died in committee.
The bill sponsored by Eagle Republican Rep. Reed DeMordaunt would have allowed school districts to use money previously directed toward teacher salaries to add back furlough days or increase the number of educators on staff.
The bill failed to win over teachers who argued it didn't address bigger problems such as declines in base salaries.
The Associated Press
DRUG, HUMAN TRAFFICKING
5 Western AGs meet with Mexican AG
Attorneys general from five Western states are meeting with Mexico's new attorney general.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers says his counterparts from California, Idaho, Nevada, and New Mexico will join him at Tuesday's meeting with Jesus Murillo Karam in Mexico City. They'll be talking about drug trafficking, human trafficking and judicial reform.
Suthers says the group has been providing training to Mexican investigators and prosecutors as the country shifts to a more public adversarial trial system.
The Associated Press
