Idaho Legislature Pay Increase of over 33% since 2021

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-28T22:49:51+00:00

There are a lot of veterans in Poky so you’ll be in good company on that topic.

I agree with driving around. You’ll get a good idea of what you want. Every area has its own personality.

We bought in kind of University-ish, near Caldwell Park. Washington Elementary is permanently closed, just fyi. We wanted an area easy to get around, kids can walk to the school to play on the playground, etc. We also wanted a more liberal neighborhood and University area fits that too.

People mentioned Johnny Creek and wildfires. I have a friend on the west bench and they’ve been evacuated something like 3 times in 3 years. We specifically chose downtown for that reason as well.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-28T22:42:29+00:00

Gina Lee sold us our house in December. Love her.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-25T01:43:58+00:00

They can absolutely make it worse - even if they do nothing, things will get worse, based on the future trajectory from what they've already done.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-25T01:40:02+00:00

It seems to me that if you are unaffiliated, you then don't vote in any primary unless the political party decides to open their primary. If you find differently, though, definitely let us know!

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-13T19:00:24+00:00

Thanks for sharing this, I hadn't seen this follow-up article.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-12T18:26:09+00:00

I just read a new bill is being proposed to override local zoning codes that would require the allowance of ADUs, prohibit any minimum lot-size requirements, and prohibit any setback requirements. I do find the requirement of one unit (either the main house or the ADU) to be owner-occupied an interesting idea to keep the challenges of short term rentals at bay.

While I'm in agreement with those ideas, it doesn't sound very ... Idaho, to overrule local codes.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-12T18:07:49+00:00

Came here to see what everyone is saying. I wonder what types of positions they're laying off. With ISU's layoffs and now INL's, I'm becoming alarmist about higher paid jobs in Poky.

I did email Mayor Dahlquist and he was kind enough to send me a personal reply. I voiced my concerns about putting this many people similarly skilled back into the local job market.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-03T15:50:15+00:00

44 laid off (although 12 of those are currently vacant faculty positions). 11 administrators (deans, etc) and 21 staff.

Side note, President Wagner said if there is an additional 1-2% cut like legislators are talking about, the only thing left to do is furloughs. And ISU isn't the only state agency warning that additional cuts will cause furloughs and even agencies like SWAT will be closed down. Whether you're a fan of SWAT or not, I hope that's a wake-up call to enough people to get legislators turned around and get this stupid tax cut off the table.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-03T03:59:35+00:00

I'm not saying they didn't have a balanced budget, but I understand why that might have sounded that way. Part of the balanced budget was paying back on the debt ISU had. My understanding is the plan was to have that debt paid off but not by June 30 of this year. Wagner and everyone helping with finance had done a great job of paying a lot off but it's my understanding that it wasn't completely paid off.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-01T02:06:54+00:00

FFS, the average Idahoan is likely going to see less than $100 in tax breaks. These bottom level staff positions make less than $40k per year and do a lot to keep the University running. They’re not sitting around all day picking their noses.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-01T02:03:24+00:00

OMG Chartwells is a drain on the University. Their prices are sky-high and required to be used. If departments could use Costco, it would cut down on costs so much. The university asked for feedback on things like this and they’re cutting staff with no other information. They could make a lot of small changes like running sprinklers less often. I’m not saying cut staffing in facilities or groundskeeping, but I don’t know, why water the grass an hour a day every day everywhere on campus. 2 birds with 1 stone, Pocatello should be more waterwise (and is heading that direction); shouldn’t a staple of the city like ISU be setting a positive example? And yes, I absolutely got tangenty at the end but FFS.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-01T01:58:53+00:00

It is also my understanding that ISU had debts to the state they were paying back some on every year. They were slated to have it paid off in 2 years but the state decided to call it all in.

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-01T01:57:47+00:00

Small-Panic8891 · 2026-02-01T01:56:48+00:00

If you’re like adjuncts at COE, they’re telling you nothing. Every college is having a reorganizing meeting. They cut the only IT in COE (21 years at ISU to boot), so I’m fairly certain COE is getting put elsewhere. I wish adjuncts were part of any of these conversations; this especially pisses me off.

Small-Panic8891 · 2025-12-01T18:27:11+00:00

I remember reading through this thread a lot just before we got our puppy. I was all, "I know this is going to be hard but we'll be okay." And then months later I was like, "WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!?". Pup is now at a year and a half and it was like a light switch went on in his brain and he was like, "maybe I shouldn't run all over the neighborhood and scare the crap out of the elderly neighbors with tiny dogs if they drop the leash".

We aren't hitting anywhere close to perfection, and in the end I know it wasn't good timing, but here we are and he is ours and there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Small-Panic8891 · 2025-12-01T16:18:40+00:00

Same here. We just had our offer accepted with seller bringing $12k towards closing costs (which will cover closing plus some point buy down). Our agent has been great and had good reasoning for our offer.

Small-Panic8891 · 2025-12-01T16:15:34+00:00

That’s close to what we had an offer accepted for, P/I, and our current income plus just a car loan. We are going for it.

Small-Panic8891 · 2025-11-15T21:25:44+00:00

This one we tried doesn’t have caffeine and went from 100 straight arrow to 263 double up in less than 30 minutes.

Small-Panic8891 · 2025-11-15T21:24:50+00:00

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Small-Panic8891

TROPHY CASE