Idaho Briefs February 19, 2013

Christian Youth Theater hosting tea party

The Christian Youth Theater-North Idaho is hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Kroc Center.

The Tea will be before the matinee performance of CYT-NI's "Alice the Musical," which follows at 3 p.m.

Tickets, $5, include lemonade "tea," and cookies, an entry into the drawing for the Mad Hatter Tea Party Basket, a chance to meet characters from the musical, Alice the Musical, and the opportunity to have pictures taken with Alice and some of her friends before the 3 p.m. matinee.

Guests are encouraged to wear their best frilly or silly hat. Tickets can be purchased at www.cytnorthidaho.org.

Proceeds will go to CYT-North Idaho for studio flooring and mirrors for two studios at the CYT-North Idaho campus.

Lawmaker: Boost training for gun permit

BOISE (AP) - Idaho residents with concealed weapons permits could soon carry their guns in more states, after they get additional training.

Currently, most states don't recognize Idaho concealed weapons permits, because they require little instruction.

Rep. Joe Palmer of Caldwell aims for Idaho to offer a new, voluntary enhanced permit that includes an eight-hour class with live fire training.

The Republican lawmaker says holders of one of these new, enhanced permits would likely be eligible to carry a concealed weapon in about three dozen states.

Idaho now has agreements with only 11 states.

Rep. Judy Boyle, a Midvale Republican, said last week she's also hopeful an enhanced permit could convince Idaho school boards to allow people to carry in schools.

Palmer's bill won introduction in the House State Affairs Committee Monday.

Panel measure would stagger food stamps

BOISE (AP) - Big Idaho grocers finally convinced a Senate panel to support staggering food stamp benefits, an effort to avoid the current first-of-the-month onslaught that stores complain interrupts their supply chain, creates chaos in the aisles and results in food waste.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted 6-3 Monday to pass the bill. It calls for a multi-day issuance, to occur over the first 10 days of every month

It now goes to the full Senate.

A similar bill passed the House, but failed in this committee last year.

This time, supporters including Sen. Lee Heider of Twin Falls were swayed by concerns of many grocers who call the existing system a logistical nightmare.

Foes including Sen. Jim Guthrie of McCammon, a small grocery store owner, said there were better alternatives.

State employees seek better job conditions

BOISE (AP) - Idaho public employees are pressing lawmakers for better working conditions and more competitive wages.

Dozens of state workers made emotional appeals at the Capitol Monday during a two-hour listening session organized by Democrats.

Many workers who testified complained they've only received minimal raises during their tenures with various state agencies and departments. But low salaries aren't the only concerns.

Employees from law enforcement, the Idaho Transportation Department and educators said there are too few opportunities for career advancement. Others noted training programs have diminished.

In response to economic downturn in 2008, many state agencies implemented furloughs and layoffs.

Lawmakers approved a 2 percent merit raise to state employees in 2012, but data shows the average hourly pay for Idaho state workers is still 10.7 percent below eight surrounding states.