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Eye On Boise

Cameron: Apologies accepted

During the budget hearing this morning for the legislative branch, JFAC heard from Legislative Services Director Jeff Youtz about the budget for the Legislature, including the dispute with the governor over lawmakers' new laptop computers (for which Otter line-item vetoed funding last year, but lawmakers cut travel to allow for the purchase). Youtz said he's worked in the legislative budget process for 32 years, working with five governors and their staff, and the way the legislative branch structured its request for continued funding for operating the legislative computer system next year was "appropriate." "That is consistent with every agency, and that is consistent with how this budget has been put together for the last 30 years," he told the committee. Youtz said he was troubled by the governor's objections and renewed veto threat earlier this week. "I felt the image of the Legislature was tarnished," he said. The governor and his budget director, Wayne Hammon, have since apologized - Gov. Otter in an interview that will air statewide tonight on the "Idaho Reports" program on Idaho Public Television.

Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, "I do want to express appreciation and acceptance to the governor and to Mr. Hammon for their apologies. Some of them have been in private, and the governor certainly has been public. I appreciate those apologies ... and appreciate their willingness to move forward and get past this issue. Hopefully we can leave it lie there."



Eye On Boise

News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.