Here's a link to my story in today's Spokesman-Review on Gov. Butch Otter's agenda, as laid out to lawmakers yesterday. Today, the legislative session is under way; the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee is meeting this morning to begin digging into the governor's budget proposals.
Reaction from lawmakers has been mostly positive to Gov. Butch Otter's budget proposal today, but that's with a big "if" - if they buy his revenue forecast, which lowers this year's state tax revenue growth from 6.4 percent down to 4.4 percent, and then forecasts…
Gov. Butch Otter concluded his message, "My thanks to you, God speed, let's go to work." His speech lasted 35 minutes; it was reportedly 28 minutes without applause, so the difference reflects the interruptions for applause from lawmakers. You can read the full text of…
In his State of the State message, Gov. Butch Otter said he and his staff visited with BSU's Coach Pete last summer to talk about success. "We asked how he's been able to build a national reputation for excellence with what's considered limited resources by…
Gov. Butch Otter recognized Darrell Manning, who has just retired as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board. Manning, a former member of both houses, has served in numerous state positions over the years. "We applaud your work for the people of Idaho," Otter said to…
Discussing his proposal for $41 million in conditional, one-time pay boosts for state employees including teachers if state revenues meet projections, Gov. Butch Otter said it should "reward our most deserving employees." But he said it should be "structured in such a way that it…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says his budget proposal for next year calls for $45 million for some form of tax relief. He's making no specific proposal. "There remains a wide diversity of opinion on how best to target tax relief," the governor told lawmakers. "I…
Given that Gov. Butch Otter has been speaking out strongly on the consequences if Idaho fails to set up a state-run health insurance exchange - and allows the federal government to instead step in and run one for Idaho - his comments in his State…
Gov. Butch Otter offered a jab at Washington, D.C., saying it doesn't offer the kind of fiscal responsibility Idaho's showing. But he did single out Idaho's congressional delegation for praise, noting Congressman Mike Simpson's work to get wolves back under state management. "It helps that…
Idaho has drained $381 million from its various reserve funds in the past four years, as the economic downturn crimped the state budget and the money had to plug holes in the state budget. Now, Gov. Butch Otter is proposing starting to refill the accounts,…
Idaho's colleges and universities have lost large portions of their state funding in the past few years. For the coming year, the governor is proposing an increase: $16.9 million in state general funds for colleges and universities, or an 8.1 percent increase from last year,…
In his budget proposal for public schools for next year, Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a $31.7 million increase in general funds, or 2.6 percent. That's less than the 5 percent sought by state schools Supt. Tom Luna, but Otter also would parcel out…
The governor is unveiling his new "IGEM" jobs initiative, which stands for Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission. It's a $5 million program that includes permanent, ongoing state funding for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, or CAES, at $2 million within the higher ed budget; another…
Gov. Butch Otter named a string of Idaho employers as examples of "Idaho's entrepreneurs stepping up and expressing confidence in our future." Among them: The new Chobani Greek yogurt plant being built in Twin Falls; Idaho's dairy industry; ON Semiconductor in Pocatello; the new Allstate…
Gov. Butch Otter says when he first was elected, he had "three broad priorities," and they haven't changed: "Encourage economic opportunity, ensure responsible government, and empower Idahoans to be the architects of their own destiny." He said circumstances, including the economic downturn, have raised the…
With the state facing a budget surplus for the first time since the recession hit, Gov. Butch Otter says he wants to see "an Idaho focused not on scarcity or what we lack, but on a more prosperous and hopeful future for all of us."…
Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a "Hire One Vet" effort, echoing the name of his tax-incentive bill last year that was dubbed the "Hire One Act." Though he offered no details, he said it'll be a collaboration of the state departments of Labor, Veterans…
The governor is paying tribute to Idaho's military members, including the Idaho National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team and the Army Reserve's 391st Engineer Company. He noted those who died in 2011: Nathan Beyers and Nicholas Newby of the 116th; and from other military…
Gov. Butch Otter was greeted with a standing ovation as he entered the House chamber, shaking hands with lawmakers as he went. House Speaker Lawerence Denney told Otter, "The House and the Senate have both agreed that this will be a very short session." Responded…
Senators are now seated in the House chamber, and the joint session is under way; still to arrive are dignitaries including the state's top judges, and Gov. Butch Otter, who will be escorted into the chamber shortly to give his sixth State of the State…
Both houses have now convened and taken care of formalities in advance of the governor's State of the State and budget address, which is set to start at 1 p.m. Mountain time.
In Idaho politics, all eyes will be on Gov. Butch Otter on Monday, as he lays out his agenda and budget proposal to lawmakers for this year's election-year session. Big decisions loom; lawmakers and Otter budgeted so conservatively last year that they’re now sitting on…
Tax-protesting Idaho state Rep. Phil Hart has cited his status as a state legislator numerous times in seeking delays in his court fights over paying back state and federal income taxes, pointing to the state constitution’s clause protecting lawmakers from civil actions during sessions. Now…
The Idaho Statesman's Dan Popkey analyzed Gov. Butch Otter's schedule for the past three years, and found that since his landslide re-election, the governor is spending significantly less time in the office - with 27 percent fewer appointments, 33 percent less official travel, and a…
The Idaho Republican Party's first presidential straw poll tonight was won decisively by Ron Paul, with 173 votes of the 359 GOP members attending and paying $30 to cast a ballot at the party fundraiser at the Riverside Hotel in Boise. Mitt Romney came in…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
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