Idaho Reports is here throughout the summer to bring you political analysis and in-depth reporting from across the state of Idaho.

Little calls special legislative session for tax cuts, education funding

Gov. Brad Little has called a special session to create a new flat income tax, dole out tax rebates, and set up new distribution mechanisms for public education. The session, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Sept. 1, comes after outcries about inflation and questions about how the state would spend its record-setting budget surplus, which is approaching $2 billion.

READ MORE HERE

This week on the Idaho Reports podcast:

Alex Adams, the administrator for the Division of Financial Management, joins Melissa Davlin to discuss the tax and education legislation proposed by the governor's office for the special session.

LISTEN WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS

Reactions pour in after special session announcement; Most positive, some hesitant

The legislation would be the largest tax cut in Idaho history, with $500 million going to Idaho residents in rebates and more than $150 million in ongoing tax cuts. It would distribute $330 million annually from sales tax revenue to K-12 education, with another $80 million going to a new in-demand careers fund.

READ MORE HERE

Follow Idaho Reports for updates throughout the week

Judge sides with DOJ, issues “modest” preliminary injunction on Idaho abortion law in emergencies

With Idaho’s abortion ban in effect, medical professionals working in emergency rooms and labor departments will not face prosecution if emergency medical care includes abortions for pregnant patients. In a Wednesday opinion, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled in favor of the US Department of Justice, prohibiting only prosecution of abortions in emergency situations at hospitals that receive Medicare funds; most abortions will still be illegal.

READ MORE HERE

Idaho Supreme Court issues opinion in Pizzuto death penalty case

The Idaho Supreme Court has sided with Gov. Brad Little, agreeing he has the authority to deny a recommendation that would grant Gerald Pizzuto Jr. life in prison rather than a death sentence.

READ MORE HERE

Von Ehlinger denied new trial; sentencing Aug. 31

The ex-legislator convicted of raping a legislative intern in 2021 will not be granted a new trial and is scheduled for sentencing next week.

READ MORE HERE

More news from across the state of Idaho:

ANNIVERSARY: This week marks 30 years since the 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff in the Idaho panhandle (via the Bonner County Daily Bee).

BROADBAND: The Port of Lewiston has received a grant to support a a 95-mile fiber optic cable segment from Moscow to Grangeville (via the Lewiston Tribune).

DATA CENTER: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is making payments to the city of Kuna to offset the impacts of its new data center site (via the Idaho Press).

LIBRARIES: The Boundary County Library district’s director has resigned, citing concerns of harassment and threatening behavior (via the Bonners Ferry Herald).

GAMING: Two different Native American tribes are pitching plans to build a new casino in the Mountain Home area near Interstate 84 (via BoiseDev).

Help support this newsletter:

Contributions from viewers like you make it possible for IdahoPTV to tell Idaho’s stories; to provide trusted educational resources and choices for Idaho families, teachers and children; and to offer quality programs that educate, inform, entertain and inspire viewers of all ages.

SUPPORT IDAHOPTV

Idaho Reports

1455 N Orchard St

Boise ID 83706-2239

(208) 373-7220

Idaho Reports on Idaho Public Television is made possible through the generous support of the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, the Friends of Idaho Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.