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William L. Spence

Idaho dumps juvenile tanning bill

Last updated Friday, March 23, 2012 - 8:47am

BOISE, Idaho -- Concerns about industry regulation and usurping parental control scuttled legislation intended to reduce skin cancer rates in Idaho.

Idaho Legislature, Melanoma, Skin cancer, Tanning, Youth tanning, National Read more Comments

Idaho bill makes it a crime for juveniles to commercially tan

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 7:13am

BOISE, Idaho -- House lawmakers hope to stem the growing number of fatal skin cancer cases by regulating underage use of commercial tanning beds.

Idaho Legislature, Tanning, Tanning beds, Youth tanning, National Read more Comments

Idaho moves to ban texting while driving

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 8:46am

BOISE, Idaho -- After discussing the problem for years, House lawmakers sent "a strong message" Tuesday and banned texting while driving on a 53-17 vote.

Idaho Legislature, Mobile devices, Texting, Texting while driving, National Read more Comments

Idaho Senate OKs controversial ultrasound requirement

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 3:13pm

BOISE, Idaho -- Prompting references to Jesus and George Orwell, a bill requiring women to have an ultrasound exam before getting an abortion was approved on a 23-12 vote Monday.

Abortion, Idaho Legislature, National Read more Comments

With the 150th anniversary of the Idaho Territory coming up in another year, Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter is asking all cities and counties to reflect on their own historic roots.

Idaho governor wants communities to prepare to celebrate territorial anniversary

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 6:16pm

BOISE, Idaho -- With the 150th anniversary of the Idaho Territory coming up in another year, Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter is asking all cities and counties to reflect on their own historic roots.

Anniversary, Celebration, Idaho, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, National Read more Comments

Ethics bills on Idaho lawmakers' agenda

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 5:02pm

BOISE -- Legislative leaders say they're hoping to adjourn the 2012 session by March 23, but some major issues still need to be resolved.

Ethics, Idaho, Idaho Legislature, National Read more Comments

Idaho Senate approves anti-camping bill

William L. Spence Lewiston Morning Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 12:57pm

BOISE, Idaho -- Saying the measure had nothing to do with Occupy Boise, the Senate voted 26-9 Tuesday to approve a bill that prohibits protesters from camping on the Capitol Mall.

Idaho State Legislature, Occupy Boise, Occupy Wall Street, Protests, National Read more Comments

Scott Knight, a supporter of the Occupy Boise movement,shovels snow from the tent encampment on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. About two dozen supporters of the Occupy movement that's erected tents on state property listened quietly as House Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, introduced a measure to evict them from the site across from the Capitol. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Idaho lawmakers target Occupy Boise with anti-camping bill

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - 12:20pm

BOISE, Idaho -- Does the public's right to assemble and protest extend to pitching tents and holding cookouts on the capitol mall?

That's a question the House State Affairs Committee will address this morning, when it votes on a bill to prohibit camping on state property outside of designated campgrounds.

Idaho Legislature, Occupy Boise, Occupy protestors, Protests, State government, National Read more Comments

A Michigan state trooper has a message for all those Idaho troopers prowling U.S. Highway 95 on the Lewiston Hill: Maybe you should consider raising the speed limit instead of writing reams of tickets.

Boost in speed limits proposed in Idaho

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Friday, January 20, 2012 - 11:47am

BOISE, Idaho -- A Michigan state trooper has a message for all those Idaho troopers prowling U.S. Highway 95 on the Lewiston Hill: Maybe you should consider raising the speed limit instead of writing reams of tickets.

Speaking to the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday, Lt. Thad Peterson said setting highway speed limits based on actual driving behavior not only increases compliance -- it often improves traffic safety.

Idaho, Idaho State Legislature, Speed limit, National Read more Comments

Idaho mental institutions see increase in admissions

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 11:28am

BOISE, Idaho -- State Hospital North in Orofino has seen a 50 percent increase in admissions in the past five years, yet its state funding has dropped 11 percent.

Health, Idaho State Legislature, Mental illness, National Read more Comments

Economists bash Idaho tax relief plan

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 11:28am

BOISE, Idaho -- Two Idaho economists painted an unflattering picture of tax relief Tuesday, prompting outcries from lawmakers who see it as an opportunity to spur job growth.

Business, Economy, Idaho Legislature, State Legislature, Tax relief, National Read more Comments

Idaho hesitates on tax relief

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - 11:14am

BOISE, Idaho -- A coming revenue forecast could affect how much money gets set aside for tax relief this session, but looming federal budget cuts may play a role as well.

Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter allocated $45 million for general tax relief in his fiscal 2013 budget proposal. He also recommended $60 million for savings and $41 million for employee raises, based on a 5.8 percent, $148 million increase in revenue next year.

Idaho, State Legislature, Tax relief, Taxes, National Read more Comments

Idaho could face penalties over health care reform

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Friday, January 6, 2012 - 10:33am

BOISE -- Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter cautioned lawmakers Thursday that the state could be penalized hundreds of millions of dollars if it refuses to go along with federal health care reform mandates.

Federal Government, Health Care, Idaho, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, National Read more Comments

Idaho lawmaker wants gun safety classes at college following murder-suicide

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 10:14pm

BOISE, Idaho -- An Idaho lawmaker with ties to Moscow wants the University of Idaho to place greater emphasis on gun safety education in the wake of a shooting that left two people dead this week.

Guns, Murder-suicide, University of Idaho, College, National Read more Comments

City may OK medical marijuana 'community gardens'

William L. Spence Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Monday, August 22, 2011 - 9:59am

PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Pullman City Council will discuss medical marijuana and the possible regulation of newly approved "community gardens" at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The discussion is prompted by recent changes in state law, which took effect July 22. The law now allows up to 10 patients to join together and raise "community gardens" for the purpose of supplying themselves with medical marijuana.

Features, City Government, Community Garden, Medical marijuana Read more Comments