The Idaho House delivered Gov. Butch Otter the most significant legislative victory of his six years in office Wednesday, passing his bill establishing a state-run health insurance exchange. The 41-29 vote on House Bill 248 came after a two-year effort and seven hours of debate, and over fierce objections from the GOP's tea party and anti-abortion wings. Forty-six lawmakers spoke. The bill now moves to the Senate, where another long debate might follow. But after a 23-12 vote approving the Senate version in February, passage is likely. Critical to Otter's win was December's election of House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, which changed the balance of power in the House/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.
Question: Does this major legislative victory by Gov. Butch Otter strengthen his possible bid for a third term?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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