The following invitation was sent by the Panhandle Pachyderms to Kootenai County GOP CC precinct committeemen: “The Panhandle Pachyderm Club of Post Falls would like to invite you to join us for a unifying celebration as together we work toward victory in November. The event is called “Unifying for November, Diversity is Our Strength.” It will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Templin's Red Lion Inn in Post Falls. The doors will open at 5:30pm with a no-host social hour at 6:00pm and dinner about 6:45pm. The cost for the event is $20.00. Our guest speaker will be Governor Butch Otter. The purpose of the event is to give Kootenai County Republicans the opportunity to meet in a social atmosphere that will create an environment of harmony and unity as we approach the most critical election in our history in November.” More here. (Logo: Panhandle Pachyderm Club)

Question: Would you like to see the dysfunctional Kootenai County Republicans unite?

If the pundits are right, Obamacare is finished. Three days of watching the conservative wing of the U.S. Supreme Court has them convinced the justices will strike down as unconstitutional the law's central feature - mandating people to buy health insurance - and potentially the entire health care reform package. Let the celebrations in Boise begin. Led by Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter, the state's GOP leadership jumped aboard challenging health care reform in the courts. Then they rode the issue to a landslide re-election in 2010. Next they flirted with nullifying the act and violating the U.S. Constitution. They even refused $20 million in federal funds to launch state-based health insurance exchanges under the act, leaving individuals, businesses and health care providers subject to the whims of a federally operated exchange. No collection of state politicians was more determined to slay this federal dragon With them on the verge of prevailing, now seems a good time to ask: What's Plan B?/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: What do you think is Butch Otter's Plan B?

The House has passed the death bill, SB 1348a, which would ensure that treatment, food and fluids aren't denied to a dying patient if the patient wants them and if they “in reasonable medical judgement will preserve the life of the patient,” on a 57-12 vote; it now goes to Gov. Butch Otter. Rep. Erik Simpson, R-Idaho Falls, called the measure “a good bill for Idaho citizens that helps balance the end of life equation”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Ways & Means introduces 'food freedom', consumer advocate bills
• House notes Bowe Bergdahl's third year in captivity
• House passes judge retirement bill after extensive debate
• Winder: Ultrasound bill would need extensive changes before returning in 2013
• Senate passes big game auction tags bill 19-16
• House to address 35-35-35 plan
• House Ed clears teacher pay bill despite concerns
• Otter signs off on Alzheimers resolution, state plan effort
• Newspaper legal notice bill headed for governor's desk

Question: Do you support the death bill (SB 1348a)?

Paul Matthews re: “North Idaho or northern Idaho?”: It is a common courtesy to allow an individual to define his/ her own term of address, as in “please call me Paul” or “Mr. Matthews will be fine” I think everybody here prefers North Idaho. I have always been vaguely insulted by people like our Governor who make a point of saying “northern” Idaho. Reminds me of the kind of insecure people who call a person “chief” or “sport” or “boy.”

Question: Do you think Gov. Butch Otter knows or cares that residents of this region prefer that it be called “North Idaho”?

In a column, Dan Popkey/Idaho Statesman tells how Gov. Butch Otter has given in to his Libertarian side at times in the past on such things as the Patriot Act. Two years ago, however, Otter allowed the “health conscience” bill (which allows health care professionals to refuse to provide services they consider morally objectionable) to become law without his signature. Now, Popkey wonders, which Otter will be present when the pre-abortion ultrasound bill hits his desk: “Otter, a Catholic, is a longtime foe of abortion, though he’s not made it a high-profile issue. I can’t predict what he’ll do, only that he’ll struggle with his choice. Otter genuinely loves the U.S. and Idaho constitutions, which invest chief executives with the veto power to regulate the excesses of legislative majorities. We’ll soon know whether Otter’s faith trumps secular principle and warrants the state ordering doctors to engage in the rudest of intrusions on personal liberty.” More here. (AP photo: Gov. Otter in Wallace Jan. 23)

Question: What do you think Butch will do when this Bill hits his desk?

Senate Bill 1387, the Idaho ultrasound bill, passed 23-12. Likely result: Passage in the House by a larger margin a few days from now, and signature by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter some days after that. And this likely will be the piece of legislation for which this session is most remembered. Don’t be surprised if a number of legislative campaigns center around it. Of the debates, the strongest may have been that of Senator Shawn Keough (pictured), R-Sandpoint, who is apt to be in the political whirlwind surrounding this – “my primary opponent has made it her number one issue”/Randy Stapilus, Ridenbaugh Press. More here.

Question: Would you vote against an exceptional incumbent like Shawn Keough, if she voted contrary to your wishes on a pet issue of yours?

Item: In Gov. Butch Otter’s Cabinet, women make less money than men/Dan Popkey, Statesman

More Info: Idaho Agriculture Director Celia Gould has been with Gov. Butch Otter from the first day of his administration in 2007, having been a leading figure in his campaign and a respected former legislator. She is the highest-paid of the women in Otter’s Cabinet but ranks just 16th among all top full-time officials. The median salary for 11 women in the Cabinet is $85,446; the median for the 33 men is $103,002. “We really do have a glass ceiling in Idaho,” said Rep. Wendy Jaquet of Ketchum, the senior Democrat in the Legislature and a member of the budget committee.

Question: Is the discrepancy in pay between men and women in Butch Otter's Cabinet fair?

While Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in Ohio battling for a win there, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter visited Coeur d'Alene to stump for Romney ahead of today's Idaho caucus. Otter on Monday laid out the reasons for his endorsing Romney to a crowd of nearly 100 people at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. He said Romney is the best candidate because of his experience turning around the Salt Lake City Olympics, his performance as governor of Massachusetts and his business background. Otter said he's also most capable of beating President Barack Obama in the general election. He said Romney cut taxes in Massachusetts 19 times, and he vetoed more than 800 bills. Romney left the state with a surplus of $2 billion at the end of his governorship/David Cole, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here. (AP file photo: Mitt Romney and Butch Otter take part in a campaign stop in Boise Feb. 17)

Question: Anyone attend the Romney rally? Impression?

Gov. Butch Otter will be in Coeur d'Alene at 5:15 p.m. Monday for a meet-and-greet sponsored by the Romney campaign on the eve of Idaho's Super Tuesday caucus, according to a news release from the Romney campaign. The free event is at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Meanwhile, Ron Paul touted endorsements from GOP state Reps. Pete Neilsen, R-Mountain Home, Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, and Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, in a weekend news release. Also backing Paul are Mullan City Councilman Chuck Reitz, who is Shoshone County GOP Chairman, and Boise County GOP Chairman John Blattler/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question (for those who attend rally): How was it?

It's good for you when Idaho Republicans cut $35.7 million from the tax burden borne by the state's corporations and richest citizens. At least, that's what they say. “It lowers taxes in the state of Idaho, it makes Idaho more competitive with its surrounding states,” said House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, who is co-sponsoring this measure with Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter. Speaking to the House tax committee Tuesday, Moyle promised lowering taxes at the top tier would make “Idaho known on the map and sends the world a message that Idaho is open to do business. While I don't think it's enough, I think it's a step in the right direction, and it's probably the best economic development bill we've seen all year.”In other words, if the rich pay less in taxes, they'll invest more. That way, everybody else in Idaho will prosper. Just one thing: It doesn't work/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: It's hard to imagine that the Idaho Legislature would squander $36 million to provide a tax cut for the most prosperous Idahoans rather than use the money to restore draconian tax cuts of the last few years. What say you?

Gov. Butch Otter will be in Coeur d'Alene on Monday, the eve of Super Tuesday, for a meet and greet hosted by the Idaho campaign team for Mitt Romney.  The event takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. There is an online form to sign up to attend. It can be found on Romney's campaign website. Otter is co-chair of Romney's statewide steering committee/Coeur d'Alene Press.

CDAJim: I think there is some confusion regarding whether Mitt will or will not be in CdA today. KXLY TV just had a report that Mitt will be here along with Butch, but I think Mitt will be campaigning in Ohio today and in Mass. tomorrow.

Question: Would you rather see Mitt Romney in person in Coeur d'Alene today — or Gov. Butch Otter serving as a stand-in?

A $36 million tax cut for Idaho’s top earners is roaring through the Idaho Legislature, backed by Gov. Butch Otter and co-sponsored by a majority of the members of the Idaho House. The move comes even as Idaho’s reeling from three years of deep budget cuts to everything from schools to Medicaid, very few of which are being restored. “The governor has recommended that we not collect this money, that we’re collecting too much,” said Rep. Marv Hagedorn (pictured), R-Meridian, one of the bill’s 40 house co-sponsors; the Idaho House has 70 members. “It’s probably the best economic development bill we’ve seen all year,” declared House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, HB 563’s lead sponsor. The bill passed the House on a 49-20 vote today and now heads to the Senate/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• All North Idaho Republicans supported the bill

Question: I can think of far better use for a budget surplus than tax cut for Idaho's top earners, can't you?

Good morning and welcome to the 2012 Marie Antoinette awards. This year's grand prize winners: Idaho Gov. C. L. (Butch) Otter and House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star. And while Antoinette may or may not have famously looked down upon the starving masses of French citizens and declared: “Let them eat cake,” it is certainly more artful than the two-word retort Otter and Moyle may have in store for Idaho's neediest, its injured and its broken: Too bad. Too bad the state went broke a year ago and had to hack away at Medicaid services for Idaho's most vulnerable adults. To save $35 million in state dollars, Idaho had to sacrifice another $60 million in matching federal dollars. Too bad that meant less support for developmentally disabled adults struggling to live and work independently. Too bad the state would devote less effort to helping the mentally ill maintain their equilibrium and their safety. Too bad it meant no preventive dental care, vision or audiology services/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you think Butch Otter intentionally low-balled revenue estimates last year as part of an agenda to slash state Medicaid funding?

Gov. Butch Otter has signed HB 404a into law, emergency legislation that bans camping on certain state land and effectively evicts the Occupy Boise encampment from state property across from the Capitol. “I will be communicating with the leadership and attorney from 'Occupy Boise' to let them know that I  have received and signed the bill,” Otter said in his signing statement, “and to provide that they have a deadline of 5 PM on Monday to vacate the impacted state properties”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Are you glad Occupy Boise is finally getting boot from Capitol area?

Susan Kiebert did Gov. Butch Otter a favor Monday by swiftly leaving the Idaho Judicial Council, the panel that vets judicial appointments and investigates complaints against judges. “I don’t want this hanging in the air,” Kiebert told me. Kiebert said she was surprised to learn that her 1995 federal conviction for making false statements remained on her record. She said she assumed it was expunged after she completed probation, paid a fine and restitution. “I would never have put myself through this, nor would I have put Gov. Otter or Sen. (Denton) Darrington through this,” she said. Darrington, R-Declo, chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and postponed Monday afternoon’s confirmation vote on the October appointment after I told him about the conviction. “You expect the highest degree of ethics when you’re on the Judicial Council sitting on potential discipline of judges and appointment of judges,” he said. Four hours later, Kiebert gracefully resigned. But Otter, who also appointed Kiebert’s husband, Kermit, to the Department of Environmental Quality Board, was mum/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Wouldn't you think that a cursory vetting of the Kiebert nomination would have caught this problem?

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Denton Darrington (pictured) pulled the nomination of Susan Kiebert from the committee agenda Monday after consulting with Gov. Butch Otter. Otter appointed Kiebert to the Idaho Judicial Councillast year and she has been serving, pending Senate confirmation. The council screens applicants for state district court judge, the Idaho Court of Appeals and Idaho Supreme Court, and makes nominations to the governor. The panel also investigates complaints against judges. Darrington, R-Declo, did not announce the reason for the delay. But shortly before his committee met to consider sending the nomination to the full Senate, he met with Otter and informed him he was delaying the vote. Darrington and Otter both said they were unaware that Kiebert had been convicted of making false statements by a federal jury in Pocatello in 1995/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Who goofed up here?

California Gov. Jerry Brown has a lot on his plate. His budget is in crisis.The housing crunch hit California hard. Unemployment is in the double-digits. Call in Doc Otter. Speaking to the Idaho Credit Union League Government Affairs Conference at Boise earlier this month, Idaho Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter volunteered that a California lawmaker marveled at Idaho's balanced budget. What advice would Otter offer, this lawmaker asked. “And I said, 'Listen, I was born in a family of nine kids in Caldwell, Idaho, and I have lived on farms and ranches and raised horses all my life,' ” Otter said. “And I would tell you without any equivocation whatsoever, that if California were my horse, I would shoot it. … I would put it down. Obviously easier said than done' “/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here. (AP file photo)

Question: If Idaho was a horse, what would you do with it?

GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s call to sell or transfer federally owned public lands Tuesday night in Boise earned him several rounds of applause. But Idaho Gov. Butch Otter found in 2005 that while Idahoans don’t like how federal lands are managed, they don’t want to lose access to the places they hunt, fish and camp. President Herbert Hoover and former Interior Secretary James Watt learned similar lessons in their times. But Santorum’s detailed proposal on an issue close to the heart of Westerners may help set him apart from Republican Mitt Romney in the March 6 Republican caucus, which is expected to attract the most devoted party members/Rocky Barker, Statesman. More here.

Question: Mark me down as solidly opposed to this idea. How about you?

To the best of our knowledge, Gov. Butch Otter has not yet taken out a newspaper classified ad, offering a free pack of wolves to a good home. Nor has the governor shown up along the shoulder of Interstate 84 at the Idaho-Oregon line, a cardboard box of wolf pups in tow. Otter is a trifle too sophisticated for that. But unfortunately, he’s not above sending a sophomoric and pointless letter to his counterpart, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. Otter said Kitzhaber could have 150 of Idaho’s wolves — or as many of the predators as Oregon wants. Otter made his “offer” after an Idaho hunter killed a wolf that had strayed over the border from Oregon. It goes without saying that this sort of showboating plays to the anti-wolf crowd. But it should also go without saying that Otter is supposed to govern on behalf of all Idahoans — including those who, unlike Otter, actually supported the reintroduction of wolves in the Central Idaho wilderness/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Do you see Gov. Otter as careless or fun-loving re: his tongue-in-cheek, anti-wolf letter to Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber?