Opponents of megaloads on U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho have filed an appeal of the state hearing officer's findings and recommendation after a contested case hearing. The appeal, which you can read online here, contends that the hearing officer focused in his findings only…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter worked some budget magic to trim the state's looming shortfall for the coming year down to manageable size and avoid calling for any tax increases, in the budget he unveiled to state lawmakers Monday. They were skeptical, however, because Otter's plan…
Gov. Butch Otter and state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna say Luna will unveil a big new education reform plan to a joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees on Wednesday, but neither would give details in their joint news conference this afternoon…
Gov. Butch Otter is holding a post-State of the State press conference via the Idaho Education Network, though few are participating on the network and many are in the room with him at the Idaho Department of Education. Among the questions so far: What Otter…
The Idaho Legislature has a new power couple - Dick and Carole Harwood. Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, is a sixth-term District 2 representative. Now his wife Carole is in the House chamber too, filling in for newly elected Rep. Shannon McMillan, R-Kellogg, whose husband…
The governor has concluded his State of the State message, in which lawmakers interrupted him with applause more than a dozen times. House Speaker Lawerence Denney told Gov. Otter, "I'm sure that this is going to be a challenging session for us, and I hope…
The governor's budget - the dollars and details behind the proposals he outlined today in his State of the State message - uses a variety of steps to cope with what had been expected to be a budget shortfall for fiscal year 2012 as of…
Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers, "It's time to make the extraordinary measures that were born of necessity these past years into the foundation for a new concept of governance for Idaho, governance that emboldens and frees individuals and communities from the soul-crushing tyranny of entitlement."
The governor just told lawmakers to "think of this legislative session as a family council - all Idahoans drawn up around the kitchen table to discuss how to make the best possible use of what we have." He said greater value must be placed on…
"Tough choices and changes have to be made," Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers, including for higher education. "Higher education does have some built-in constituencies that can provide alternatives to a higher level of general fund support," he said. That's not likely what higher education advocates…
A theme that Gov. Butch Otter talked about last week, changing the "culture" of government, has resurfaced in his State of the State message. "Building partnerships. Fostering more cooperation between the public and private sectors. Doing more with less. All that is part of what…
On health care reform, Gov. Otter has won several rounds of applause - first for noting that a Virginia judge said a health care mandate is unconstitutional, and second for saying, "We are actively exploring all our options - including nullification."
Gov. Butch Otter has endorsed a plan in the works at the state Department of Labor to issue bonds to cover the state's unemployment fund debt to the federal government, and redeem the bonds over four years. "It also involves raising the target balance in…
What Idaho's economy really needs is for employers to begin hiring, Gov. Otter said, though many have been reluctant to do so in part because of uncertainty about health care reform and other issues. "We must use our bully pulpit to encourage those who can…
The governor has again mentioned tax incentives. "We must continue rewarding those private sector investments that grow our economy by providing appropriate and carefully crafted tax incentives for job creation," he said.
Gov. Otter is joining state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna to propose a pay-for-performance system for the state's public school teachers. "Excellence should be rewarded," Otter told lawmakers, "which is why Supt. Luna and I are committed to establishing a pay system for teachers that…
The Idaho Education Network, a broadband network that links Idaho high schools, is coming in for much praise from Gov. Butch Otter in his State of the State message. Already, he said, school districts are using the network for innovative programs. The Bonneville school district…
School funding, as the largest single piece of the state budget, is a big focus for the state Legislature. Gov. Butch Otter is proposing a budget for public schools for next year that imposes no further cuts, but keeps in place the full $128.5 million…
Though there's been much talk among lawmakers of the potential for a tax increase to cope with the state's expected huge budget shortfall next year, Gov. Otter said, "I haven't heard one Idahoan say they want their taxes raised. If anyone wants to contribute more…
In one of the few specific legislative proposals he's mentioned thus far, Gov. Butch Otter said, "I will be proposing legislation aimed at providing an incentive for investment and creation of career opportunities, targeting those small and start-up businesses that show great promise for Idaho's…
Gov. Otter has specifically singled out Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, saying he's proposing phased-in tax-cutting legislation that Otter thinks lawmakers should "seriously consider." "His bill would equalize and then gradually reduce our marginal state income tax rates for individuals and businesses over ten years, starting…
The governor mentioned the trouble at the state Tax Commission, where his appointee as Tax Commission chairman, Royce Chigbrow, resigned on Friday amid allegations that he interfered in tax cases for the benefit of a friend an of clients of his son's firm. "I have…
Otter sounded themes he's been hitting in recent weeks about how to improve the economy - that government isn't the answer. "Along with responsibly balancing our budget, there is no task before us more important than improving Idaho's economy," he said. "That does not mean…
Gov. Otter said, "Our state government today is far better and more efficient than it was two years ago." He said "all our state agencies are continuing to build partnerships, find efficiencies and develop smarter ways of doing their jobs." The governor has been highlighting…
Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers, "Folks, we've got to turn this discussion back to personal responsibility. We've got to turn it back to the family. We've got to turn it back to the communities."
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
