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Idaho citizens committee approves legislative salary increases • Idaho Capital Sun

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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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Bruins’ Cronin Expresses Blunt Thoughts on Win Over Idaho State

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Bruins’ Cronin Expresses Blunt Thoughts on Win Over Idaho State


The UCLA Bruins (4-1) have continued their hot hand on home court this season, staying undefeated at Pauley Pavilion with an 84-70 win over Idaho State on Wednesday night.

Coach Mick Cronin spoke postgame and was quite pleased with the majority of the game but not how his team finished.

“I thought for 30 minutes we played great, then we got up 28 and a bunch of guys were selfish,” Cronin said. “Their mind wasn’t on defense, just try to get a steal, get a layup, go down the other end, try to get mine. We became everything I despise in the last 10 minutes, but the first 30 minutes we were great.”

The Bruins likely should have won this game by way more than 14 points, but a lackluster performance down the stretch led to a much closer ballgame than projected. Cronin knows his team took their pedal off the gas and was very honest in his response to the performance.

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Cronin is a straight-shooter in terms of coaching his team. He does it for the love of his players and the hunger to be great. He is not solely focused on winning conference titles and championships. Instead, he wants his guys to learn the game the right way and be ready for the next level.

“I always go in there and tell them the truth,” Cronin said. “Look at the second-half defensive stats, look at their offensive stats in the second half. Most of it is after we got up 28, which we were up 28 with 10:24 left in the game. ‘I got to get my stats,’ they actually think that matters when it doesn’t matter. No scout gives a damn about your stats, they’re watching the game, they’re watching how you warm up, they’re watching how you act, they’re watching how you compete. They’re not watching your stats, it’s comical. They’re watching your turnovers, your assists, your defense, your decisions, your shooting percentage, they could care less how many points you average.”

The Bruins’ leading scorer in the win was sophomore Sebastian Mack, who finished with 21 points and was 15-16 from the free-throw line. He only made three field goals and the rest of his scoring was produced at the charity stripe due to his ability to get to the rim and get fouled.

Cronin was pleased with how Mack has developed in just a few games this season. After an ugly performance in the loss to New Mexico, Mack has stepped his game up tenfold with three straight games with double-digit scoring and limited turnovers.

“He [Mack] got 16 free throws; again, I think some of that was the other guys — teammates made some shots which helped,” Cronin said. “But he’s just really improving in his pace, in his decision-making. I told him at halftime, I said, ‘I think they’re going to really pack the paint on you in the second half.’ As soon as I went to say it to him, he goes, ‘I know what’s coming.’ He’s a sophomore, he’s getting better, he’s shooting a high percentage. I’ve always loved his toughness, he’s a bright spot for us.”

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The Bruins will get back at it on Friday night when they host Cal State Fullerton (1-4). They have just two more non-conference home games left before they start Big Ten play at Pauley Pavilion against the Washington Huskies. Cronin will continue to improve his guys before the real tests start.

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First Responders remind drivers of Idaho Codes that could land them in jail

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First Responders remind drivers of Idaho Codes that could land them in jail


TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — This week is “Crash Responder Safety Week” which highlights the critical need for drivers to be alert when passing first responders and law enforcement on the road. KMVT spoke with local first responders about the issues they’ve seen when on scene of an incident.

“Most of what I see is people passing by– they’re trying to record,” says Corporal Michael Guest.

You may remember back in 2022 an Idaho State Police Trooper, Michael Wendler was struck by a distracted driver on I-84 while responding to a vehicle fire in Jerome County.

“The motorist was on her phone when he was trying to direct traffic,” says Guest.

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Wendler suffered critical injuries and even lost part of his memory. By 2023 he was medically retired from the ISP. However, incidents like this are why “Crash Responder Safety Week” is so important.

“We would definitely recommend drivers to keep their attention to the roadway and driving and not be concerned with recording an accident while driving,” says Twin Falls Fire Department Station 2′s Battalion Chief, Corey Beam.

First responders have been urging drivers to follow the law. Specifically, Idaho Code 49-624, which states that drivers are required slow down and move over when approaching a stationary vehicle.

“The proper thing to do is pull to the right, as its safe, pull to right and get out of the way,” says Manager of the Magic Valley Paramedics, Stan Flint.

According to Flint, first responders usually have back-up support to avoid rescuers from getting injured by distracted drivers. Including the Jerome Sheriff’s Office.

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“A lot of times there are troopers that will actually stop at my scene and specifically watch for that,” says Guest.

At the Twin Falls Fire Department, they’re trained to be prepared for possible accidents when responding to an incident on the roads or highways.

“Guys and gals who are trained to drive our engines, often they will park those fire engines in a way that protects the scene, so if someone were to crash into a scene, they will crash into the truck before they crash into our responders,” says Beam.

The consequence for not slowing down or moving over for stationary vehicles is a citation and a $90 fine. If any first responders are injured, you could face jail time.

“In response to what happened to Wendler, they since passed an aggravated reckless driving law that makes it a felony for anybody that causes severe injuries,” says Guest.

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Obituary for Loa Joy Crystal at Eckersell Funeral Home

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Obituary for Loa Joy Crystal at Eckersell Funeral Home


Loa Joy Crystal, age 76, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday November 17, 2024. Joy was born October 24, 1948 in Rigby, Idaho a daughter to Floyd David and Harriet Eunice Johnson Crystal. Joy attended and graduated from Rigby High School. Throughout her life



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