Public schooling in Idaho has become a tale of two systems. One system contains the 115 traditional districts. The other is Idaho’s system of 40 public charter schools. How these two types of schools are similar and different is important to understand as we mourn the loss of public charter school Nampa Classical Academy.
Transparency
Records show Boise city gov't using public resources to influence election
July 20, 2010 | posted by Wayne Hoffman inBOISE -- Records obtained through the state's Public Records Act show Boise city officials are engaging in campaign activity on the taxpayers' dime, attempting to win passage of a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The Idaho Freedom Foundation filed a public records request in June, asking for documents related to House Joint Resolution 5. HJR 5, if approved during the November general election, would allow cities to debt finance airport projects without a vote of the people.
IFF files open meeting complaint in Bannock County
May 11, 2010 | posted by Wayne Hoffman inThis morning, the Idaho Freedom Foundation filed a complaint with the Bannock County prosecutor alleging that the Pocatello/Chubbuck School Board met illegally to discuss budget cuts. While the cuts in question -- reducing administrator pay -- may be appropriate, the law requires certain discussions to take place in public so that taxpayers can understand and weigh what's going on.
Taxpayers deserve transparency in 2010
April 01, 2010 | posted by Wayne Hoffman inHere's a simple proposition: Taxpayers have the right to know how every cent, every dollar is spent by their local and state governments. Even though that proposition is fairly simple, the state Legislature has struggled with even the smallest of measures to bring more government transparency to Idaho. Last year, the House split evenly on Hayden Republican Rep. Phil Hart's bill to require the state to start developing a spending database.
Chili cook-offs and gift cards: Coeur d'Alene spends $4,500 on "Employee Recognition"
December 15, 2009 | posted by Jay Howell inThe Coeur d’Alene city government spends thousands of taxpayer dollars every year to show city employees they are appreciated. In fact, according to public records obtained by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, expenses under the heading of “Employee Recognition” totaled $4,489.42 in FY2009.
Lobbyists on the public payroll
December 02, 2009 | posted by Jay Howell inYou may not realize it, but your taxes help pay the salaries of some Statehouse lobbyists. Many pubically funded organizations and agencies contract with outside lobbyists, or send staff members to the legislature, to push their agendas. Among them are city urban renewal districts, school systems, universities and highway districts.
Howell: Open Meetings Law is not a closed issue
October 15, 2009 | posted by Jay Howell in Idaho has an Open Meetings Law, but what exactly is meant by the words “open meeting”? That question is at the heart of a battle brewing in Owyhee County.
CDA Press article: IFF wins release of city employee names
October 12, 2009 | posted by Wayne Hoffman inFrom the Coeur d'Alene Press
Streetcar Proposal: Comparing Boise's dream with Little Rock's reality, Part 2
October 07, 2009 | posted by Jay Howell inIn Part 2 of this series, we’ll look at the projected numbers of both Little Rock and Boise’s streetcar systems, and how they’ve shaken out five years later. We’ll compare how the Little Rock River Rail is financed, and how Boise would finance its proposed streetcar system. Finally, we’ll look at how development and business has evolved in Little Rock since November 2004, when the River Rail went into operation.
Streetcar Proposal: Comparing Boise's dream with Little Rock's reality, Part I
October 05, 2009 | posted by Jay Howell inBoise Mayor Dave Bieter asked, in the September 30th issue of the Idaho Statesman, if the city "can afford to not build a streetcar" downtown. At the present time, the Boise Streetcar Task Force is conducting a feasibility study, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2009, or 2010.
