Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, says she thinks lawmakers should consider cutting their own health benefits just as the state has cut health coverage for other part-time state employees. “We ought to have that discussion - I don’t think we should shy away from it,” Keough said. She was responding to a column by Dan Popkey in the Idaho Statesman today, which called lawmakers “tone-deaf” on the issue. It noted that all but 18 lawmakers take the coverage that’s the same as that for full-time state employees, though Idaho has a part-time citizen legislature/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Roundup: State, federal lawmakers comment online/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Education advocates have their say on the budget/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter
• Olson versus Luna/Bill Roberts, Idaho Politics
• Movement to save public TV goes grassroots on Facebook/Anna Webb, Idaho Politics
• Hispanics fight for commission 'voice'/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise

Question: Do you actually think lawmakers would cut their own insurance benefits?