Democratic leaders Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, and Sen. Kate Kelly, D-Boise, called this year's legislative session a "difficult" one, and said its impact will be felt for years. "Cuts will mean less law enforcement officers on duty, more students in classrooms, less help for Idahoans in need of food or medical services, higher fees for students at our colleges and universities, and neglected maintenance work on our roads, our parks and our schools," Kelly said.

Rusche said he thought the three worst developments of the session were the health care "conscience" bill, which allows any licensed health care provider to refuse, on conscience grounds, to provide a treatment or medication related to abortion, emergency contraception, end-of-life care or stem-cell research; the "posturing about health care reform" when Rusche, a pediatrician, maintains Idaho has huge health care needs; and the public school budget, which included historic cuts.

The Democrats pushed an "IJOBS" package of jobs bills, but none became law. "We listened to what our constituents were telling us back in our districts and came to Boise ready to focus on jobs and the economy during the 2010 legislative session," Rusche said. But he and Kelly said the focus of the session instead turned to sending messages to the federal government to keep out of Idaho's business. "It is a disappointment that were weren't able to move that forward," Kelly said. "Really, it's a question of priority."