On this week’s Idaho Reports, Shannon McGuire of Spark! Strategic Solutions shares findings from a new report, “Built With Care: Unifying Communities Through Motherhood,” which examines Idaho mothers’ views on community support. Among the findings: Idaho mothers are more likely than mothers nationwide to say it’s very difficult to access mental health services, affordable childcare, and high-quality healthcare. Idaho mothers are also more likely to say it’s very easy to access stores with fresh produce, as well as public parks and recreation. Mothers who feel a stronger connection to their c ..read more

by Ryan Suppe, Idaho Education News Idaho school and library officials over the next couple months will grapple with a complex question: What content does their community consider “harmful” to children? The recently enacted House Bill 710 — which seeks to restrict library material accessible to children — relies on an existing state law that defines obscene books, magazines, movies and other content as “harmful.” While the law historically has deterred shopkeepers from selling copies of “Playboy” to curious teenagers, it now applies to librarians, as well.  It’s unclear ho ..read more

By Ruth Brown and Logan Finney, Idaho Reports  Gov. Brad Little signed a controversial bill Wednesday that will make libraries subject to lawsuits.   An ongoing topic of contention for the last three years, HB 710 is the fifth version of a library bill up for debate in the statehouse.  The bill passed the House of Representatives in March in a 45-24 vote.  Last year, Little vetoed another library bill that would have allowed parents or guardians to sue libraries for $2,500 if a minor accessed harmful material.   Under this bill, a parent or guardian can ask ..read more

A sign along Highway 95 in Riggins on January 3, 2023 (Logan Finney/Idaho Reports) By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports  The Idaho Senate passed the long-awaited library bill in a 24-11 vote on Wednesday, intended to keep “obscene content” away from minors.   An ongoing topic of contention for the last three years, HB 710 is the fifth version of a library bill to make its way through the building.   Under this bill, a parent or guardian prior to filing a lawsuit would be required to provide written notice to the school or public library asking them to relocate material within ..read more

(Logan Finney/Idaho Reports) By Ruth Brown, Idaho Brown  The Idaho Senate approved funding for the Idaho Launch grant program in a 21-14 vote Tuesday.   The program is promoted by Gov. Brad Little and aimed at workforce development. It will provide graduating high school seniors with up to $8,000 for tuition and fees to pursue in-demand careers. The Legislature established the program last year after it passed the House by a single vote.   HB 722 provides nearly $80 million to fund the first year of Idaho Launch grants. The funding will provide grants to more than 8,00 ..read more

by Ryan Suppe, Idaho Education News A pair of lawmakers Thursday introduced another new plan to help schools fund facilities — but it won’t advance this legislative session.  Reps. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, and Soñia Galaviz, D-Boise, co-authored a bill that would activate $25 million set aside for school facilities nearly two decades ago. That money has been difficult to access and only two school districts have used the money since 2006, the Idaho Statesman reported last year.  The funds would be transferred to a new grant account for needy school districts seeking help fina ..read more

UI president C. Scott Green speaks to lawmakers on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee in 2020. (Logan Finney/Idaho Reports) by Logan Finney, Idaho Reports The Idaho Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill 14-19 that would have formalized the University of Phoenix deal under state authority. Senate Bill 1450, just introduced on Monday, would have created an independent state body to oversee the purchase and subsequent ownership of the online institution University of Phoenix. “This is obviously a significant issue that has been going back and forth,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck ..read more

Sen. Dave Lent presents legislation to the Senate on March 26, 2024. (Logan Finney/Idaho Reports) by Logan Finney, Idaho Reports Lawmakers on both sides of the rotunda this week are debating changes to the $2 billion school facilities modernization bill – even though they already passed the underlying legislation last week. Upon signature by the governor, House Bill 521 will allow the state of Idaho to bond for $1 billion and distribute those funds to local school districts for their school building modernization needs. The sweeping legislation covered many disparate accountability measures al ..read more

(Logan Finney/Idaho Reports) By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports  The Senate State Affairs Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that could create a dedicated path forward for the University of Idaho’s deal to purchase University of Phoenix.  The House passed a resolution earlier this month against UI’s proposed $685 million purchase of Phoenix through a nonprofit corporation. The Senate’s bill, SB 1450, would instead create an independent body politic.   The 11-member board would include two legislators, and the sponsors argued the state would be better insulated from liability. The ..read more

by Logan Finney, Idaho Reports Gov. Brad Little scored two important victories at the statehouse this week amid the late-March legislative horse trades. A pair of Thursday afternoon floor votes advancing his key policy items signaled the release of a legislative logjam which had the potential to extend the 2024 legislative session. But there are still major education hurdles lawmakers have to clear before they adjourn. As Idaho Education News reported earlier this week, the joint budget committee announced it would not set the rest of the public schools budgets until action was taken on House ..read more