Idaho

Idaho citizens committee approves legislative salary increases • Idaho Capital Sun

Published

1 year ago

November 6, 2024

Idaho citizens committee approves legislative salary increases • Idaho Capital Sun

Idaho lawmakers will see an increase in their pay from $19,913, to $25,000 per year for the next two years.

The Citizens’ Committee on Legislative Compensation unanimously approved this increase Wednesday morning at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.

The Idaho Senate president pro tem and Idaho House speaker will also receive an increase of an additional $5,000 per year to $5,500 per year, and minority leadership will receive an increase of an additional $2,000 to $2,500.

The new salary structure will take effect on Dec. 1 for the next two years, unless the state Senate and House of Representatives reject or reduce the new rates by concurrent resolution within 25 days of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 6. If the new rates are rejected, the previous lower rates will remain in effect.

Costs for daily meals and travel expenses during the annual legislative session will remain covered under the new structure.

According to the Idaho Constitution, the Legislature “shall have no authority to establish the rate of its compensation and expense by law.” Rather, a citizens committee must establish the salary of Idaho lawmakers. The committee consists of six members who are not public officials – three appointed by the governor and three by the Idaho Supreme Court.

Committee rejects original proposal for 43% increase

The original request from Idaho Senate and House leadership and minority leadership sought a 43% pay increase for state lawmakers. This proposed pay rate would have boosted salaries to $37,801 in the coming year while eliminating some expense reimbursements, the Idaho Statesman reported.

On Wednesday, the committee rejected that proposal.

“I think leadership has done a great job, but I just don’t think they deserve that much more compensation,” committee member Mary Hasenoehrl said.

At Wednesday’s hearing, three individuals voiced their opposition to the original proposal, beginning with American Action Fund Idaho field manager Sulamita Rotante.

“A 43% pay increase for legislators during a time of historic inflation is out of touch with what Idaho people want and the conservative values we hold true. This should be a no brainer for our elected officials,” she said. “… Legislators should be focused on cutting government spending and taxes, or cutting government spending and taxes.”

Rotante also said it was “concerning” that the committee chose to meet at 8 a.m. the day after the presidential election. Committee chairman Dennis Johnson said he is aware of the inconvenience of the timing of the meeting. However, it was not an attempt to “do this in the dark of the night,” he said, but rather it met the schedules of those who are on this committee.

Others who spoke in opposition to the proposed pay increases included Idaho Freedom Foundation policy director Niklas Kleinworth, and District 25 Idaho House Representative-elect David Leavitt.

“I believe it sends a wrong message to our taxpayers to fund lawmaker raises,” Leavitt said. “We should be focusing on saving taxpayers money.”

Idaho Senate Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, attended the hearing virtually on Zoom. Winder, who was defeated in his May primary election and won’t be returning to the Legislature in January, defended the proposed increases, emphasizing the need to attract younger candidates and the high cost of housing in Boise.

“In Boise, housing is very difficult to obtain, and people are actually living in hotels,” Winder said. “I can remember 10 years ago when a $100 a room was kind of the top end. Now to get a room in the downtown area or close to the capitol, you’re looking at $200 to $300 a night.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, R-Boise, speaks from the Senate floor at the State Capitol building on Jan. 9, 2023. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

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Idaho

Gas prices expected to exceed $3 as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices expected to exceed as the Iran conflict prompts supply shortages

BOISE, Idaho — AAA is warning Idaho gas consumers that pump prices will likely rise as the conflict in Iran disrupts oil and gas supply chains worldwide.

The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East will likely push the price for a gallon of regular gasoline past the $3 mark over the coming days.

“On one hand, the crude oil market had time to account for some financial risk in the Middle East as forces mobilized, but a supply shortage somewhere affects the global picture,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “If tankers can’t move products through the region, there could be ripple effects.”

On Monday, March 2, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.97, reports AAA, which is 12 cents more expensive than it was a month ago but 20 cents less than this time last year.

State / Price: 1 gallon of regular gasoline

Washington / $4.37
Oregon / $3.92
Nevada / $3.70
Idaho / $2.97
Colorado / $2.89
Montana / $2.82
Utah / $2.74
Wyoming / $2.73

In terms of the most expensive fuel in the nation, Idaho currently ranks #14. However, buying a gallon of regular gas in neighboring states such as Oregon and Washington could cost a whole dollar more. In contrast, gas prices in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming are anywhere between 15 to 24 cents cheaper than fuel in the Gem State.

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Idaho

Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Pick 3, Pick 4 on March 1, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 1.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 7-2-3

Night: 2-7-6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 4-7-9-3

Night: 8-7-7-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Idaho Cash numbers from March 1 drawing

03-06-07-33-41

Check Idaho Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Idaho Lottery drawings held ?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Pick 4: 1:59 p.m. (Day) and 7:59 p.m. (Night) MT daily.
Lucky For Life: 8:35 p.m. MT Monday and Thursday.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
5 Star Draw: 8 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Idaho Cash: 8 p.m. MT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Idaho

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Idaho politicians respond to Trump authorizing U.S military force in Iran

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.

RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds

President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.

RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress

Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”

Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”

“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.

However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.

Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.

Idaho News 6

“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”

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