Friday, January 27, 2012
education Obama Plan: More College Loans, Incentives to Keep Costs Down
Posted by George Prentice on Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 9:33 AM
President Barack Obama will outline a plan today that focuses on affordability of higher education.
The White House announced this morning that Obama is proposing a "financial aid overhaul" that would tie programs such as work-study and supplemental grants for low-income students to universities and colleges' success in improving affordability and value for their students.
Under the plan, Perkins loans (low-interest loans to needy students) would grow from $1 billion to $8 billion, and a new $1 billion program would be created to reward states that take action to keep college costs down.
The president's plan also wants to require colleges and universities to offer a so-called "shopping sheet" that makes it easier to compare financial aid packages.
In his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, Obama had a message for institutions of higher learning:
"Let me put colleges and universities on notice," said Obama. "If you can't stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down."
crime Idahoans Charged With Making Bomb Threat as Part of Casino Getaway Plan
Posted by George Prentice on Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 9:30 AM
People cash in coins on a pretty constant basis at Cactus Petes, the resort casino in Jackpot, Nev. But law enforcement knew something was up when when a bomb threat was called in to the casino shortly after three Idahoans tried to cash in approximately $800 in coins.
The Elko Daily Free Press reports this morning that one of the trio was spotted on his cellphone, right about the time the casino received a call claiming a bomb would go off on the gaming floor. An Elko County Sheriff's deputy questioned the three, who would not explain how they got the $800 in coins, but according to law enforcement, did admit to making the call as part of a ruse to allow them to slip away.
Among the charges in the wake of the incident: suspicion of making a bomb threat, possession of stolen credit cards and conspiracy to commit a crime.
politics Blue Republican Coming to Boise to Promote Ron Paul-itics
Posted by Amber Clontz on Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 9:27 AM
The greeting, "I'm a Blue Republican," is certain to be repeated often Saturday night at Boise State's Student Union.
Robin Koerner, known by many as Mr. Blue Republican, urges previous supporters of President Barack Obama to reconsider electing the president to a second term. In fact, his organization, Blue Republican, advises what it calls "true-blue Democrats" to choose GOP presidential hopeful Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
Event organizer Lucas Baumbach said Koerner’s Blue Republican movement reaches “for people tired of Obama.”
“Allowing states to choose their laws is conservative," said Baumbach. "Just because laws wouldn’t be made at the federal level doesn’t mean everything in Idaho would go to hell.”
Koerner's Boise State appearance, slated for 7 p.m. at the Jordan Ballroom, is sponsored by the Boise State chapter of Students for Liberty. The group's organizers include Anthony Podvin and Ryan Davidson, who was dubbed the "Cannabis Crusader" by BW for his 2008 pro-marijuana initiative in Blaine County.
“If the feds legalized drugs and you didn’t want drugs in your community, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Davidson told Citydesk
Davidson and Podvin said their group hopes to use the event to engage with a younger demographic, even those that aren't yet able to register to vote. Podvin outlined a plan to educate high school students because Idaho allows 17-year-olds who will be 18 by Nov. 6, 2012, to vote in the upcoming March 6 caucus, and the age group could "swing a vote."
"Maybe we'll speak in a few high school civics classes,” said Davidson.
Students for Liberty said they invited more than 1,000 guests using social media, though the venue's capacity is 313.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
war Pentagon: More Base Closures, Fewer Troops, Weapons
Posted by George Prentice on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 3:39 PM
The Pentagon today announced a list of proposed wholesale changes that could close bases, realign others, reduce military pay and benefits, and delay purchases of equipment, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Looking to cut billions, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, announced today that President Barack Obama will soon ask for another round of base closings and realignments, never popular with lawmakers trying to preserve military spending, and jobs, in their districts.
Panetta disclosed that two heavy Army brigades will come home from Europe over the next decade, leaving an airborne brigade and a Stryker cavalry brigade on the continent. He also said that purchases of the F-35s will be stretched out over more years, and six of the 60 Air Force tactical jet-fighter squadrons will be eliminated.
Additionally, Panetta said the Navy would retire seven cruisers and two littoral combat ships. All 11 of the Navy's aircraft carriers would be preserved.
The proposal would cut Army personnel from 570,000 to 490,000 and the Marine Corps could see a drop from 202,000 to 182,000.
According to the Associated Press, Panetta has repeatedly stated that he would preserve funding for Special Operations forces, cyberwarfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
ethics Idaho Treasurer Exonerated of State Gas Card Misuse
Posted by George Prentice on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Canyon County's prosecutor said today that no charges will be filed against Idaho Treasurer Ron Crane for using a state credit card to fill up his private vehicle, although Prosecutor Bryan Taylor did recommend that Crane keep better records when using state money for personal trips.
Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that Crane had charged his state gas card for nearly $7,000 of fuel for his personal car over the past three years, some for state business and some for his personal use. Legislative auditors asked the Canyon County Prosecutor's Office to look into the matter (given that Crane lives in Nampa).
Responding to today's announcement, Crane said Taylor had "validated" the usage of his private vehicle for travel to and from work.
"This practice has saved the Idaho taxpayers close to $35,000 since I turned in the state car in 2005," said Crane. "I do not need a state vehicle and I honestly question whether any state official does, especially during these tough economic times."
Crane said he had adopted Taylor's recommendations to keep a comprehensive record of state-driven miles in his personal vehicle.
Smokin' Boise Duo Petition City on Hookah Bars' Behalf
Posted by Andrew Crisp on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Boise residents Mikel Hautzinger and Miles Stirewalt have filed a request for a regulatory-taking analysis with the City of Boise, on behalf of three hookah bar owners. The "regulatory takings analysis" procedure comes from Idaho State code, related to the Fifth Amendment provision that no citizen should be deprived of something like a business without compensation.
Hautzinger said three business owners from the Babylon, Alibaba and the once-planned Aladdin hookah bars have closed up their shops in response to the smoke-free ordinances.
"This is really a sad story," said Hautzinger. "They’ve left oppressive government in the Middle East to create these businesses. It’s terribly sad."
Hautzinger does not have a legal background, but investigated the regulatory-taking statute of Idaho code with legal aide and friend Stirewalt.
"We pretty much agreed that it was asinine that city leaders could do this to businesses," said Stirewalt.
Their argument is that when the City of Boise passed the smoke-free ordinances late last year, they harmed the livelihoods of these business owners. The law banned smoking in indoor facilities where employees are present, closing the hookah bars, where smoking indoors is the name of the game, for good.
The city has 42 days to respond to the request, after which they will hand it off to their attorney's office, or dismiss the claim outright. Stirewalt suggests that he would appeal a dismissal.
Politics Full House Passes Anti-Occupy Bill
Posted by Andrew Crisp on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 3:16 PM
This morning, House Bill 404, the measure that would end the encampment at Occupy Boise, was considered by Idaho's House of Representatives.
"This is no different than a playground bully who will sit on your chest and slap your face until you give in," said Republican Rep. Reed Demordaunt of Eagle.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Scott Bedke of Oakley, said he was "offended" at the way the bill's opponents had depicted his actions in supporting the bill.
Environment New Rules Would Restore Forests, Create Opportunities for Timber Industry
Posted by George Prentice on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 11:14 AM
The White House is poised to unveil new rules to manage the nation's nearly 200 million acres of national forests.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the rules would replace guidelines thrown out by a federal court in 2009. According USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, the plan would encourage forest restoration and watershed protection while creating opportunities for the timber industry and those who use forests for recreation.
Several attempts to revise a 1982 forest planning rule have been repeatedly thrown out by federal courts. Most recently, a Bush administration plan was struck down and the Obama administration did not appeal the ruling.
The new regulations would also give forest managers more flexibility to address conditions on the ground, such as projects to thin the forest to reduce wildfire risk.
The 155 national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service cover 193 million acres in 42 states and Puerto Rico.
ACHD 'Signalization' Promises 10 Percent Reduction in Traffic Delays
Posted by George Prentice on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 11:06 AM
In a continuing effort to tweak local traffic patterns, the Ada County Highway District announced this morning that it will soon debut "smarter" signals that will constantly measure traffic flows, adjusting the amount of green time to "best serve the demand," according to Terry Little, ACHD's traffic manager.
The technology differs from existing timing in that it will deviate from preset programs and make adjustments to better move large groups of vehicles. The new signal timing could be especially useful after special events or on a Friday at mid-afternoon before a holiday weekend.
Little said the new technology could reduce delays by approximately 10 percent.
The so-called "signalization" project costs approximately $600,000.
Idaho Legislature Barbieri Doesn't Want TSA Searches, But Also Refuses to Go Through X-Rays
Posted by George Prentice on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Dalton Gardens Republican Rep. Vito Barbieri, who a year ago labeled the Affordable Care Act "socialism," and sponsored a nullification bill of what he called "Obamacare," this year has another federal behemoth in his crosshairs: the Transportation Security Administration.
In an interview with the Idaho Reporter, Barbieri said he hadn't consulted with the TSA about a measure that would outlaw unwanted searches at Idaho airports, and he wasn't "even sure that the state has the authority to end the pat-downs," but he still was ready to introduce a bill that would amend Idaho Code preventing TSA personnel from touching a person without consent.
But in a real head-scratcher, Barbieri, in the same interview, said he also opposed full-body scans of passengers.
"I will not go through the machine," Barbieri told the Idaho Reporter. "I'm always patted down."
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