“Seldom has the future seemed either as hopeful or as uncertain,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers in his State of the State message today. “It is beyond our power, or that of any state government, to bring order to national and global turmoil. But it is our responsibility and our duty as elected leaders to preserve and protect the steady framework of opportunity that the people of Idaho need in order to confidently pursue their dreams and freely express their civic virtue.” He said that’s why “such a large share” of his recommended budget for next year is devoted to continuing to carry out the state’s five-year plan for improving education, which is entering its third year/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

Also: You can read Betsy Russell's complete live-blog of Gov. Otter's State of the State speech here.