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Tuesday, Feb. 25 9 a.m. edition |
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"This sets the tone of Butte's future."
Evan Barrett, director of the Butte Local Development Corp., on a Florida developer's plans for a $1.8 billion entertainment district with full-service casinos in the once-thriving mining city.
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In the Rockies today, we note the rare spectacle of a Republican governor calling on voters to block state spending cuts and instead endorse his tax increase. Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne went public with pleas for voters to call legislators and protest GOP leaders' plans to strip more than $39 million from state spending before June 30. Kempthorne said the cuts would cripple services for the elderly and disabled, slash 8 percent of public school funding and cut deep into university and college programs. Kempthorne has proposed a 1.5 percent increase in the state sales tax and a 34 cents-per-pack increase in cigarette tax, although he apparently has yet to forward details to lawmakers. A GOP panel also endorsed deep cuts in school and college budgets for next fiscal year, a plan that would also lay off 1,000 state workers. |
Colorado Senate moves local gun control a step closer to extinction Idaho Power moves to head off power shortage Homeless teens nearly invisible in north Idaho Colorado needs higher taxes, according to chief economist Utility to dismantle aging Utah dam Wyoming ranchers get hearing on payments for grizzly kills Alberta measure would take the roller coaster out of energy revenue |
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 Headwaters News is a partner in FocusWest, a project of Idaho Public TV, Wyoming Public TV and KNPB in Reno |
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  Headwaters News is a project of the Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the University of Montana. |
Rockies today
Arizona governor gains national spotlight early on Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has created a national buzz in her first 50 days in office, although lately, her proposals are meeting more Republican resistance. Arizona Republic; Feb. 25 Idaho governor urges public to lobby against cuts Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne called for voters to contact their legislators and protest plans to cut $39.4 million from schools and services. Spokane Spokesman-Review; Feb. 25
Several environmental groups filed suit in Montana to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study whether to list the white-tailed prairie dog as an endangered species. Salt Lake Tribune; Feb. 25 Bush holds Utah's Medicaid plan as a model for states President Bush urged Medicaid reform modeled after Utah's experimental changes, most of which focus on more flexibility. Deseret News; Feb. 25
A Florida developer wants to create a $1.8 billion entertainment district in downtown Butte and resuscitate the failing local economy, but the Legislature must first approve full-service gambling. Billings Gazette (Montana Standard); Feb. 25 Opinion
New Mexico doesn't need concealed weapons New Mexico lawmakers should give up the notion of allowing concealed weapons, despite the Senate's lopsided lack of foresight. Santa Fe New Mexican; Feb. 25 State sales taxes should apply on Idaho reservations Two Idaho bills would collect state sales taxes from non-Indians who make purchases on reservations, and they're not a threat to tribal sovereignty, they're a matter of fairness. Idaho Falls Post Register (Twin Falls Times News); Feb. 25 Montana governor's plan has elements of budget-saving plan Montana's budget-balancing tax proposals have gone into the behind-the-scenes stage, but a modified version of the governor's plan could keep services functioning without raiding the coal tax fund. Great Falls Tribune; Feb. 25 Beyond the region
Pacific states' fortunes fall with high-tech, tourism, Boeing The Pacific Coast led the New Economy revolution two years ago, and now California, Oregon and Washington are the nation's new "Bust Belt." Christian Science Monitor; Feb. 25 Colorado River water deal may be sunk by California suit Southern California's two biggest water authorities will take their dispute to court, apparently ending attempts to negotiate a solution and save a pact governing Colorado River use. Boulder Daily Camera (AP); Feb. 25 In depth
Colorado envisions thriving biotech industry A Colorado agency has contracted for a $184,000 of how to lure biotech industry to the state, the most thorough effort yet to boost what's seen as a key segment of Colorado's economic recovery. Denver Business Journal; Feb. 25 A downtown's verve depends on its residents People live downtown mostly for the convenience and the bustle, and downtown residents are essential to a thriving city center. Second in a series. Arizona Republic; Feb. 25 |
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