When the Senate sent a committee just now to inform the governor that it’s organized and ready for business, Gov. Butch Otter got a call that the senators were on the way, and made a point of heading out from his office and meeting them in the park, midway between his office and the Capitol Annex where lawmakers are meeting. “He met us halfway,” Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, happily announced. Lawmakers are hoping that’s a sign of the cooperation ahead.

The Senate has now completed its organizational session, and its new committee assignments have been announced. The only change in committee chairmanships in the Senate is on the Agriculture Committee, where former Chairman Tom Gannon passed away. The new Ag chairman is Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, and Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, is vice-chair.

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