Meridian, ID – One of the largest new spending programs in the federal government is designed to aggressively expand broadband Internet service to underserved communities in places like Idaho. Congressman Walt Minnick is calling on federal agencies to be more accountable and transparent in allocating that money, and to do more to help rural Idaho communities get the Internet service they need. Today Minnick met in-person and via conference call with representatives from Idaho companies and agencies that applied for the first round of funding from more than $7 billion in federal grants available for investment in broadband Internet infrastructure....more
Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick released the following statement in response to reports that the federal website Recovery.gov reported money being spent in non-existent Idaho Congressional Districts:“I am very disappointed by the lack of proper transparency on one of the largest spending bills in American history. I voted against the stimulus bill for a host of reasons. I was concerned that it was too large, it was not strategic, it did not create enough jobs, it was not designed to work quickly and it cost far too much per job created. Unfortunately, those concerns have been proven correct. Now, with issues...more
Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick voted to help pass H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. The bill is designed to eliminate a steep cut in reimbursement payments for physicians. The cut was scheduled for 2010, and would have likely reduced the number of Idaho physicians who accept Medicare.“AARP applauds Congressman Minnick for taking a stand for older Idahoans on Medicare,” said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. “His vote to move this critical legislation forward is a move to strengthen Medicare and ensure that Idahoans continue to have access to the doctor...more
Wins support from diverse coalition of business, labor, educationWashington, D.C. – In these tough times, more and more workers are going back to school to acquire skills and prepare for the new economic future. Congressman Walt Minnick today is announcing a new initiative to help those workers not only receive training, but also make sure their education is maximally useful in becoming certified for a new career. “American workers are the best in the world,” said Minnick, a lifelong businessman and entrepreneur who ran a $700 million company. “They are resilient, innovative and hardworking, as is made so clear by...more
State Files Notice of Intent to Sue on Listing of Slickspot PeppergrassWashington, DC – Idaho’s Congressional delegation voiced support for Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s filing of an intent to sue Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director Sam Hamilton of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding their decision to list slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The decision to list the plant was made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on October 9 and will become effective in 60 days.“I support Governor Otter in his decision,” said U.S. Senator...more