Governor
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Otter strikes defiant tone in third inauguration speech
BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter struck a defiant tone in his third inaugural address Friday, declaring, “We stand for what’s right, here in Idaho.” “Where we draw the line is having others’ views imposed on us as mandates out of misguided political correctness or a lack of respect for our history, traditions and values,” the governor said in one of several apparent references to his ongoing fight against same-sex marriage, which became legal in Idaho on Oct. 15. Otter is currently pressing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Otter’s request for a review of the court’s ruling last year that overturned Idaho’s ban on gay marriage. (See story, page A6)
Otter says 2015 budget will reflect state’s financial health
BOISE – Laying out priorities for the upcoming legislative session, Gov. Butch Otter told reporters Thursday he’ll propose finally restoring school funding in Idaho to pre-recession levels not seen since 2009. But he and other state leaders say there isn’t a clear plan for other key issues, including transportation, Medicaid expansion and the troubled high school broadband network.
Otter appeals to Supreme Court on gay marriage
BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has filed a petition appealing the legalization of same-sex marriage in Idaho to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the state’s case is the “ideal vehicle” to resolve the issue for the nation. “The time has come for this court to resolve a question of critical importance to the states, their citizens and especially their children: Whether the federal Constitution prohibits a state from maintaining the traditional understanding and definition of marriage as between a man and a woman,” Otter’s Washington, D.C. attorney, Gene Schaerr, wrote in the 41-page petition.
Otter files appeal to U.S. Supreme Court in gay marriage case
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has filed a petition appealing the legalization of same-sex marriage in Idaho to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying the state’s case is the “ideal vehicle” to resolve the issue for the nation; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com….
Idaho must pay attorney fees in same-sex marriage case
BOISE – The state of Idaho must pay more than $400,000 in attorney fees and costs to the lawyers who represented four lesbian couples in overturning the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. “There is no dispute that Plaintiffs are the prevailing parties and are therefore entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees and litigation expenses,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale wrote in an order issued late Friday.
Eye on Boise: Otter cautious about potential conflicts of interest
There was an odd moment late in last week’s Land Board meeting, when the board had gone through a consultant’s recommendations on how to better manage the state endowment’s land assets. The recommendations include steps to bring more professional management to the endowment’s land investment portfolio. The consultant, Callan Associates, also recommends Idaho prudently divest its portfolio of commercial property; hire new staff at the state Department of Lands; and extend its contract with Callan Associates for four years at $145,000 a year.
Otter: Supreme Court should hear Idaho’s input before deciding on gay marriage
BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter believes the state’s arguments against gay marriage are so compelling and comprehensive that the U.S. Supreme Court should wait until it gets Idaho’s case before deciding on the issue. In arguments filed with the nation’s highest court, lawyers for Otter said waiting for Idaho’s case would help Supreme Court justices resolve “the marriage-litigation wave in all respects.”
Idaho Lt. Gov. Little prepared to take on role of governor
BOISE – If newly re-elected 72-year-old Idaho Gov. Butch Otter didn’t complete his full third term, Idaho’s new governor would be Brad Little, the second-term lieutenant governor, rancher and former state senator who’s been toiling full-time in the part-time, low-paid post since Otter appointed him to it in 2009. Little’s record seems decidedly more moderate than Otter’s – he blocked Idaho’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage for two years before reluctantly supporting the final version in 2006. But Little, 60, is an Otter fan who says his differences with the governor are more style than substance. He also says he fully expects Otter to serve out his term but is ready should he be asked to step up.
Eye on Boise: Legislators hope for resolution on broadband network
State lawmakers are growing concerned about the broadband network that serves high schools across the state, after a judge Nov. 10 voided a $60 million contract for the Idaho Education Network, ruling it was issued illegally. “At the end of the day, this is an important thing,” said House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley. “We need to get a new contract as quickly as possible and keep the service up and going during the school year. You have school districts that are dependent on this service, they’re in the middle of a term, and … the less disruption the better here, on our way to a new contract that addresses the issues that have been raised.”