Here's some more of what the House and Senate majority leaders had to say when they addressed the Idaho Press Club today at the annual Headliners Lunch:

URBAN RENEWAL: House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, said, "I think that right now we have several urban renewal bills that are out there. Some have broad support, some don't, and we have an opportunity now to have that discussion." He said he thought the bills to trim back urban renewal authority had broader support in the House this year than they've had in past years; the House is likely to debate the bills next week, he said. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said, "I've not read the legislation. What I don't want us to do is roll back the legislation so that we push away from urban renewal districts. ... There's a lot of value in them, even in my home town of Idaho Falls. ... I hope we're not making such large wholesale changes that we lose that significant opportunity for our communities."

WISCONSIN: Asked if Idaho's House or Senate have rules that would prevent the chamber from operating if the minority members walked out - as has occurred in Wisconsin this year - both said no. Davis said, however, "I don't even like to have the gavel come down without at least one member of the minority party there." It's never been an issue, he said. Moyle said there has been at least one incident in which the minority party walked out in the House. "In the past, we had proceeded on and kept going," he said. "We're not going to let a process of a bunch of members walking out stop that process."

CIGARETTE TAX: On the proposal for a $1.25 per pack increase in Idaho's cigarette tax, Davis said, "I personally will support it, but I get there from the health care, the deterrent, more than I do the revenue side." Moyle said, "Ultimately, I don't think any revenue enhancement's going to happen, but that's today."

TAPPING FUND BALANCES: Asked about the $58 million-plus in available fund balances that legislative auditors have identified in state agencies and the possibility of tapping those balances to avoid bigger cuts in the state budget next year, Moyle said, "I think there's a real concern in terms of, you've got $80 million worth of one-time money in the budget this year." With economic uncertainty, he said, the state no longer has reserve funds to turn to if things sour. "There would be an inclination to leave those fund where they are." Davis said, "I think you might see a modest amount of use of those types of funds." He said to "try to bring this budget as close to a structurally balanced budget as you can this year .... that's what I believe the ultimate target is for both the House and the Senate."

SCHOOL REFORM PROCESS: Davis said, "Do I wish ... the stakeholders had a more active involvement sooner? Yes, I do. Do I have confidence that my Senate and Senate Education Committee has been seriously and actively engaged from the moment we have undertaken it 'til now? I really believe we have. My Chairman Goedde could not have worked any harder than he is. My education committee I think has gone the extra mile in making sure that stakeholders have an opportunity to participate and testify in committee." Moyle said if the bills come to the House Education Committee, it'll be up to House Education Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, as to whether there will be House committee hearings like those held in the Senate. "That's his call as chairman," Moyle said.