Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick is giving his annual “State of the Judiciary” message to the Senate and House today; he’s speaking first in the Senate. “As I have talked to chief justices from throughout the United States, most are amazed Idaho has this tradition,” Burdick told the senators. “It’s just another example to our citizens and the nation that Idaho has respect for the concept of three co-equal branches of government working together for the long-range best interests of its citizens.”

The timing today caused a bit of a mixup between the two houses, as both were scheduled to convene at 11 a.m. today. The House, with no business on its calendar to conduct today, requested the Senate to start early, but the Senate declined. So the House convened at 11, then went at ease, leaving its members milling around until the chief justice arrives. But on the up side, it gives House members a chance to browse the bustling “Buy Idaho” show in the Capitol rotunda.