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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

‘Don’t see that progress was made’

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said late Monday that he didn't think progress had been made over the course of the day on the impasse that's pushed the legislative session into its 113th day.  (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)
Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said late Monday that he didn't think progress had been made over the course of the day on the impasse that's pushed the legislative session into its 113th day. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said Senate leaders met with the governor today at noon, but didn't meet with House leaders. "I don't see that there was progress made," he said heavily, as the 113th day of this year's legislative session drew near a close. "The Senate did quite a bit of work today, we passed a slug of bills. ... They can all go to the governor for his consideration, and possible veto, though I hope not." Davis said the current impasse is one "that the House needs to resolve with the governor. I have confidence the governor is willing to negotiate." He noted that Gov. Butch Otter has dropped his demand from $240 million a year more for road maintenance all the way down to about $80 million or $75 million. "Bless his heart, it's like he's negotiating with himself," he said. "It's pretty tough to negotiate when the other side isn't willing to meet and work toward a solution."

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, said House GOP leaders haven't met with the governor, but Moyle said he's been in touch with Otter's chief of staff, Jason Kreizenbeck, and they may still meet today. "We're expecting a call," he said.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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