Eye On Boise

Could stimulus affect earlier holdbacks?

Feb. 16, 2009 10:09 a.m. • 5 comments

HB 61, the legislation that makes Gov. Butch Otter’s 4 percent holdbacks, or mid-year budget cuts, permanent, passed the House 68-1 a week ago, but when it came up for a vote today in the full Senate, Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, asked to hold off for another week. “Since the actions of last Friday, we’re trying to get a handle on whether all of those actions were necessary,” Cameron told the Senate. Part of what’s needed, he said: More information on “that five-pound bill that Washington has sent us.” Federal economic stimulus legislation that passed Friday will send millions to Idaho, including money targeted specifically to avoid state budget cuts in certain areas.

Five comments on this post so far. Add yours!

GaryIngram on February 16 at 10:57 a.m.
Idaho conservatives are going to have to hold their nose and spend the free money. (Free for us, costly for our progeny) So the question looms, how to decide. The governor and legislative leaders need to act swiftly to create a panel of advisors to set priorities before special interests get control of the mix. There is no order in the pig trough.
danofthecommunity on February 16 at 11:06 a.m.
Gary, I wouldn’t have to hold my nose one bit if they wanted to use some of that dreaded free money to build the new jail we need or do a major remodel of Lakes Middle School.

No siree, I would just take a nice deep breath and smile while we put some construction workers back on the job and got two projects done that have been needed for a long time.
thomg57 on February 16 at 11:07 a.m.
The governor and legislative leaders need to act swiftly to create a panel of advisors to set priorities before special interests get control of the mix.—Gary Ingram

“Each year, three North Idaho state representatives - Reps. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, and Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake - take the lobbyists out to dinner on the reps’ own personal dime.”—Betsy Z. Russell

Seems like the special interests are already at the head of the line.—ThomG