"I will not allow Idaho to become the nation's dumping ground for its elemental mercury," Gov. Butch Otter declared in his State of the State message just now, saying he'll continue his fight against federal moves to bring mercury to Idaho. Then he compared it to congressional health care reform legislation. "There is a similar policy-making sleight-of-hand going on with the federal administration's efforts to foist the cost of a budget-breaking entitlement program onto our backs," he said. "Thank you for supporting me and our entire Idaho congressional delegation in fighting against this wholesale assault on our self determination." His comments drew sustained applause.

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