State Historical Society Director Janet Gallimore told legislative budget writers today that 35 states have combined their state archives and their state and local government records management, and she and state Department of Administration Director Teresa Luna are proposing that Idaho do that, too. The…
The last time the Legislature funded raises for state employees was in fiscal year 2009, state Division of Human Resources head Vicki Tokita told legislative budget writers this morning. As a result, state worker salaries now lag 18.6 percent behind market rates, up from 15…
JFAC is holding a special hearing this morning on state workforce budget issues. Legislative Budget Director Cathy Holland-Smith has been detailing the way the state accounts for its employees, which is complicated and varies by funding type and other issues. Bottom line: The "FTP" or…
Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, spoke with the Idaho Press-Tribune on the eve of a closed-door Senate GOP caucus to discuss whether he'll continue in his Senate leadership post, as majority caucus chairman, after the bizarre Father's Day incident in which he was arrested for DUI…
2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson has announced four regional finance chairmen for his re-election campaign; they are: Kirk Sullivan, Damond Watkins, Doug Sayer and Mitch Watkins. You can read his full announcement here. Simpson, a Republican, is a seven-term congressman and a former speaker of…
As the 61st Idaho Legislature's second regular session lurches into gear, AP reporter John Miller reports today on an odd prospect: That the most-liberal members of the House Democratic caucus could vote with the most-conservative Republicans against creating a state-run health insurance exchange. Click below…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how Idaho Gov. Butch Otter's budget proposal for next year wouldn't restore any of the steep budget cuts Idaho's made in the past three years of economic downturn, with just one exception: Partial restoration of…
Legislative Democrats gave their response to GOP Gov. Butch Otter's State of the State and budget message this morning, and they weren't happy. "The governor has talked about budget, education, taxes, employment and reserves. All of these issues are important, but it is really hard…
Among the questions legislative budget writers have had this morning about the governor's budget proposal: Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, asked if cuts to mental health and substance abuse services that are becoming a problem for law enforcement and local governments will be restored; Wayne Hammon,…
Gov. Butch Otter's budget is aimed at reducing the amount of one-time money that's targeted at ongoing needs, Wayne Hammon, Otter's budget chief, told lawmakers on JFAC this morning. His budget anticipates a $103.5 million balance at the end of fiscal year 2012. That one-time…
Wayne Hammon, Gov. Butch Otter's budget chief, is presenting the governor's proposal to JFAC this morning, but JFAC Co-Chair Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, noted that Hammon's wife is expecting a baby at any time, their second; with that warning, lawmakers will know why if he abruptly…
Here's a link to my story in today's Spokesman-Review on Gov. Butch Otter's agenda, as laid out to lawmakers yesterday. Today, the legislative session is under way; the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee is meeting this morning to begin digging into the governor's budget proposals.
Reaction from lawmakers has been mostly positive to Gov. Butch Otter's budget proposal today, but that's with a big "if" - if they buy his revenue forecast, which lowers this year's state tax revenue growth from 6.4 percent down to 4.4 percent, and then forecasts…
Gov. Butch Otter concluded his message, "My thanks to you, God speed, let's go to work." His speech lasted 35 minutes; it was reportedly 28 minutes without applause, so the difference reflects the interruptions for applause from lawmakers. You can read the full text of…
In his State of the State message, Gov. Butch Otter said he and his staff visited with BSU's Coach Pete last summer to talk about success. "We asked how he's been able to build a national reputation for excellence with what's considered limited resources by…
Gov. Butch Otter recognized Darrell Manning, who has just retired as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board. Manning, a former member of both houses, has served in numerous state positions over the years. "We applaud your work for the people of Idaho," Otter said to…
Discussing his proposal for $41 million in conditional, one-time pay boosts for state employees including teachers if state revenues meet projections, Gov. Butch Otter said it should "reward our most deserving employees." But he said it should be "structured in such a way that it…
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says his budget proposal for next year calls for $45 million for some form of tax relief. He's making no specific proposal. "There remains a wide diversity of opinion on how best to target tax relief," the governor told lawmakers. "I…
Given that Gov. Butch Otter has been speaking out strongly on the consequences if Idaho fails to set up a state-run health insurance exchange - and allows the federal government to instead step in and run one for Idaho - his comments in his State…
Gov. Butch Otter offered a jab at Washington, D.C., saying it doesn't offer the kind of fiscal responsibility Idaho's showing. But he did single out Idaho's congressional delegation for praise, noting Congressman Mike Simpson's work to get wolves back under state management. "It helps that…
Idaho has drained $381 million from its various reserve funds in the past four years, as the economic downturn crimped the state budget and the money had to plug holes in the state budget. Now, Gov. Butch Otter is proposing starting to refill the accounts,…
Idaho's colleges and universities have lost large portions of their state funding in the past few years. For the coming year, the governor is proposing an increase: $16.9 million in state general funds for colleges and universities, or an 8.1 percent increase from last year,…
In his budget proposal for public schools for next year, Gov. Butch Otter is calling for a $31.7 million increase in general funds, or 2.6 percent. That's less than the 5 percent sought by state schools Supt. Tom Luna, but Otter also would parcel out…
The governor is unveiling his new "IGEM" jobs initiative, which stands for Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission. It's a $5 million program that includes permanent, ongoing state funding for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, or CAES, at $2 million within the higher ed budget; another…
Gov. Butch Otter named a string of Idaho employers as examples of "Idaho's entrepreneurs stepping up and expressing confidence in our future." Among them: The new Chobani Greek yogurt plant being built in Twin Falls; Idaho's dairy industry; ON Semiconductor in Pocatello; the new Allstate…
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