Bleak. Dismal. Gloomy. Difficult. Really, really tough. That’s how Idaho state legislators and officials are describing the legislative session ahead, with state revenues slipping, budget cuts bringing cries of outrage from some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, and the governor’s much-vaunted but stalled effort to boost transportation funding back before lawmakers in the worst of all possible climates. You can read my full story here from Sunday's Spokesman-Review. The 2009 session of the Idaho Legislature opens Monday; Gov. Butch Otter gives his combined State of the State and budget message to a joint session of the House and Senate at 3 p.m.; you can listen live here.

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