Gov. Butch Otter has released his letter responding to House and Senate Democrats who formally requested him to delay a sharp increase in health insurance premiums for part-time state employees. In it, Otter maintains the state will see higher savings than initial estimates have shown from the move, and sticks by the decision, refusing to delay it. "I am committed to working toward making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Idahoans," he wrote. "We are working with insurers, providers and other stakeholders every day to advance that effort. However, using taxpayer dollars to subsidize the healthcare premiums of part-time State employees comes at the expense of many who have no healthcare at all, and no opportunity to obtain it." You can read the full letter here.