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Eye On Boise

Otter says he provided the new Trump administration with ‘some detailed advice’

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter gives his State of the State address to a joint session of the Idaho Legislature on Monday, Jan. 9, ,2017 (Betsy Z. Russell)
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter gives his State of the State address to a joint session of the Idaho Legislature on Monday, Jan. 9, ,2017 (Betsy Z. Russell)

Continuing his hopeful tone about a new Trump Administration, Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today in his State of the State address, “I am optimistic that President-elect Trump and his team will work to ensure that meaningful reforms are implemented to keep such agencies as the EPA, the BLM, the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in check. Their focus must be shifted to working more collaboratively with states to develop national policies that are flexible enough to accommodate local needs and realities.” That drew applause from lawmakers.

Otter said he “recently provided the new administration with some detailed advice,” on everything from sage grouse to energy.

He said he’s not advocating for Idaho to take over ownership of federal lands, but wants states to be “full and equal partners in decisions that affect the land, water, wildlife and other resources within our borders.”

 



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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