"Why can't they do this roadwork at night?!" It’s quite possible you or someone you know has uttered these words in frustration when faced with construction and traffic disruptions. With unprecedented growth comes growing pains, and our road systems in Idaho are no exception. Local highway jurisdictions statewide are responding to the need by building and repairing more roadways than ever before.
Idaho leaders are celebrating the state’s safe and secure elections after new investments this year prove our county clerks carried out a near-perfect primary election in May.
Idahoans work hard to ensure safe and secure elections occur at the state level, the county level, and the precinct level. With the Idaho Primary Election scheduled for May 17th, let’s take a quick look at the responsibilities and duties from the state level to the county level regarding elections. The Idaho Legislature writes laws determining how to oversee and administer elections in Idaho.
Idaho is currently in election season, so it’s a prime time to take an in-depth look at why local elections are so important and how they impact communities. Elections don't get much closer to home than the election to your school board, so we’ve compiled six reasons you should care about and participate in your local school board elections.
Primary elections can be confusing, especially if you have not voted in a primary election for a while or perhaps you are voting in the Idaho primary election for the first time. In Idaho, political parties use primaries to select a slate of candidates to run for office during the general election. With the primary election coming up on Tuesday, May 17th, now is a great time to clear up some of the misconceptions about primary elections in Idaho.
Providing school transportation has been a requirement of public schools since the 1940s. But after being rattled by the pandemic, schools across the country are struggling to staff local school bus drivers. Idaho is no different. Staffing shortages in Idaho, like other states, have had a ripple effect on schools, students, and their families, sometimes forcing school closures or drastic changes in operation. In at least nine states in the U.S., they requested assistance from the National Guard.
In December 2021, the U.S. Census reported Idaho as the fastest-growing state in the nation for the fifth straight year. What does this growth mean for our roads? Simply stated, more growth equals more traffic which equals more congestion. While this may seem distressing, counties and highway districts across the state are prepared to take on the challenge thanks to additional funding streams recently passed.
Speed limits are set by Idaho law, specifically Idaho Code 49-654. Where no special hazard or conditions exists that requires a driver to lower their speed to fit conditions, such as weather or condition of the roadway, the maximum speed limit varies by types of roadways.
The process for funding Idaho schools is complex. Each year, the Idaho Legislature decides how much state money public schools will receive. The funding formula for Idaho’s public schools is based on several factors, like the number of students enrolled adjusted for attendance, teacher salaries, teacher benefits, busing and transportation costs, and a slew of other funding categories for specific items that schools might access.
An extensive study of Idaho’s transportation system conducted by the Idaho Policy Institute in 2020 found that Idaho needs $241.8 million in revenue to restore and maintain current roads and bridges, each year. The study concludes, if such funding is not available and maintenance is deferred, then the figure compounds – making the funding requirements significantly larger in the future.