Boise Briefing: No Kindergarten Again; Horse Expo; $50 Rebate

Today's Boise Briefing starts with good news for Boise's hospitality industry. After a year of empty motel rooms, things are looking up. Things are not so cheery for parents hoping for all-day kingergarten as the Idaho Legislature has killed the bill funding the idea. Taxpayers may receive a rebate check back from the state and Boise hikers will soon see a new trail. For horse lovers, this past weekend found equine vendors, trainer and lovers all under one roof.

1. The pandemic hit businesses in Boise hard and the Boise Auditorium District saw revenues drop $3.1 million last year. In a report by the Idaho Capital Sun, hospitality owners say they are expecting a much better fall from visitors looking to get out of the house.

2. Parents hoping for statewide full day kindergarten need to wait an additional year as the Idaho Legislature killed a bill funding the idea accoridng to IdEdNews. The bill looked to have momentum prior to the legislators taking a COVID-caused recess. Upon return, the idea has not resurfaced and will not be seen until the session of 2022.

3. Boise residents could receive $50 rebate back from state income taxes if a bill passes in the next few weeks. As reported by BoiseDev, HB 332 is being presented as a return of the state's surplus fund back to taxpayers according the bill's sponsor.

4. A new trail connecting the Boise VA Medical Center to existing trails in the Military Reserve area is being funded by St. Luke's according to KTVB-TV. The trail will be open to hikers and dogs on leashes.

5. For horse lovers, the place to be Sunday was the Idaho Expo as the Idaho Horse Expo came to a close after entertaining people from across the nation as per KIVI-TV's report.