Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WILDFIRE-BUDGET
Congress studies new way to fund massive wildfires
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to change the way the country pays to battle its most catastrophic wildfires.
Lawmakers from Oregon and Idaho met with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on Monday to discuss the budget reform.
President Barack Obama's proposed budget would prevent the diversion of money intended for forest thinning and other wildfire prevention efforts.
Historically as fire season progressed, money that had been set aside to thin forests and restore burned land was taken and used to pay for fighting the biggest blazes.
Legislation introduced in Congress would direct that when firefighting costs reach 70 percent of the 10-year average, firefighting agencies could dip into the government's fund for battling natural disasters like hurricanes.
TAX INCENTIVE SENATE
AG opinion could undo Senate tax incentive vote
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Senators voted Monday to send a tax incentive measure to the governor's office for signing — but it's not a done deal yet.
An Attorney General's Office opinion issued shortly after the vote says the bill could leave Idaho in a "constitutionally vulnerable" spot.
That's because the bill — which would give up to 30 percent in tax incentives to job-creating businesses — gives a seven-member board the final word on who gets those breaks, with no option to appeal the decisions.
According to Deputy Attorney General Chelsea Kidney, that means identical applicants could receive different rates based on their ability to negotiate.
Majority Leader Sen. Bart Davis made a notice of reconsideration that allows him to call for a do-over of the vote in the Senate tomorrow.
PAYDAY LOANS HOUSE
Payday loan bill scrapes through House 35-34
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill seeking to let Idaho dictate how much payday lenders can give borrowers passed the House Monday by only one vote.
The 35-34 decision came after several lawmakers said they had issues with the bill, which limits loan size and lets borrowers set up interest-free payment plans if they hit a financial snag.
Boise Democrat Rep. Phylis King said letting borrowers take out loans of up to 25 percent of their monthly income was still too much, suggesting the amount be closer to 5 percent.
Others worried loan-seekers could circumvent the parameters by visiting multiple lenders in one day.
Proponents say it gives breathing room to borrowers when unexpected financial woes prevent them from returning the money.
Idaho's governor will now decide whether to sign the measure into law.
DAIRY SPYING-LAWSUIT
ACLU, others sue Idaho over dairy anti-spying law
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A coalition of animal activists, civil rights groups and media organizations is suing Idaho in federal court over a new law that makes it illegal to secretly film animal abuse at agricultural facilities.
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signed the new law last month, after Idaho's $2.5 billion dairy industry complained that videos showing cows being abused at a southern Idaho dairy unfairly hurt business.
The Los Angeles-based animal rights group Mercy for Animals released the videos, which showed workers at Bettencourt Dairy beating, stomping and otherwise abusing cows in 2012.
The lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, Animal Legal Defense Fund, CounterPunch and others asks a judge to strike down the so-called "ag gag" law. A similar lawsuit is underway in Utah over Utah's version of the law.
ID-SHERIFF-MISUSED FUNDS
Former sheriff's office employee faces new charges
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Three new felony counts have been filed against a former employee in the Minidoka County sheriff's office after a judge dismissed a forgery charge.
Alice "Alicia" Daniel was initially charged with forgery. Prosecutors said she submitted false time sheets, claiming she was working or was out sick when she was spending time with the sheriff, who has since resigned. Prosecutors alleged the county paid her $2,000 to which she was not entitled.
A state judge dismissed the forgery charge on Jan. 30, arguing it did not apply.
The Times-News reports that after a review, the attorney general's office charged Daniel with presentation of a fraudulent account or claim, the intent to defraud in a public office and an officer falsifying public records.
Daniel's attorney said he hadn't seen the new charges.
ZOO BOISE-LEOPARD EUTHANIZED
Ailing leopard at Idaho zoo euthanized
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Officials with Zoo Boise say the zoo's ailing leopard, named Nadia, has been euthanized.
The Amur leopard came to the Idaho zoo in 1998 and was 19 years old when she died. The animal was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure two years ago.
Zoo Boise Director Steve Burns said in a prepared statement released Monday that Nadia's quality of life had declined to the point where euthanasia was the proper thing to do. Amur leopards normally live about 10 to 15 years in the wild, and about 18 years in captivity.
Zoo officials have not yet decided if the zoo will obtain another leopard.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
