House and Senate Democrats cited some common ground with GOP Gov. Butch Otter today in their reaction to his State of the State message, particularly in his focus on education. “Today’s State of the State made it clear to us that Gov. Otter has heard…
House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, had two immediate reactions to Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State address today, one positive and one negative. The positive: He praised Otter for including a $15 million line item in the public school budget to cover health insurance…
Gov. Butch Otter told reporters today that he was happy to apply for a job in the Trump Administration because if he left, he’d leave “the state in pretty good hands – because Brad Little would take over.” Little is the lieutenant governor, who succeeds…
An array of protesters from “Add the 4 Words Idaho” were in the Capitol rotunda today, carrying signs about ways specific Idahoans have suffered because of discrimination or harassment over their sexual orientation or gender identity. Gov. Butch Otter walked by a large number of…
Following his State of the State address, Gov. Butch Otter has named the first recipient of the Idaho Medal of Achivement, the state’s highest civilian honor: Barbara Morgan, the teacher and astronaut from McCall who now teaches at Boise State University. “By every measure, the...
“If the recent national election taught us anything, it’s that the people are still in charge,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. “I’m proud that Idahoans voted in support of real and substantial change in our national government and against stuck-in-the-mud business as usual.” He said,...
Continuing his hopeful tone about a new Trump Administration, Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today in his State of the State address, “I am optimistic that President-elect Trump and his team will work to ensure that meaningful reforms are implemented to keep such agencies as...
“Folks, we all aspire to be more self-reliant,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers today. “We strive for it in our personal lives as well as in the operation of our state government. Few federal edicts in recent years have been more intrusive or more damaging…
“It’s no surprise that we all want tax relief,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. “For some, it’s the top priority of this legislative session. But I would remind you that together we have reduced the burden on our citizens, on taxes, during my tenure by...
Gov. Butch Otter is calling for $1.5 million next year to pay the remaining costs of starting up new mental health crisis centers in Twin Falls and Boise, joining those already established in Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene. “They are providing significant savings on law…
On higher education, Gov. Butch Otter is proposing just a 2.16 percent increase in state general funds, while he’s calling for a 6.37 percent boost for community colleges. But separately from the higher ed budget, he’s also calling for a $35 million building initiative, through...
“Seldom has the future seemed either as hopeful or as uncertain,” Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers in his State of the State message today. “It is beyond our power, or that of any state government, to bring order to national and global turmoil. But it…
Gov. Butch Otter told a joint session of the Legislature today, “It’s my honor and privilege to report to you today that the state of Idaho is resurgent, and in fact is gaining a national reputation among states for our stability and our strength.” Otter...
As Gov. Butch Otter begins his State of the State address today, he has recognized Idaho’s newest Supreme Court justice, Robyn Brody; and several members of the executive branch who are leaving – former Corrections Director Kevin Kempf, who now heads a national corrections association;…
“You know, I just figure out something – the more hands I shake the longer you applaud,” Otter said with a smile after he greeted lawmakers on his way into the House chamber for this State of the State address this morning.
Newly retired Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Jones has penned an open letter to Idaho’s congressional delegation warning about the dangers of appeasing Russia and its leader Vladimir Putin. “Now that I am no longer wearing a robe, I plan to join in the…
Preparations are under way this morning at the state Capitol for Gov. Butch Otter’s State of the State and budget message to a joint session of the Legislature, which is set for 1 p.m. MT. The House and Senate both convene for the year at…
Sen. Roy Lacey, D-Pocatello, who retired last year after serving two terms in the Senate, is back at the Statehouse this week, filling in for Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello. Smith is out due to a health issue but is scheduled to be back Monday. Asked…
Here’s a link to my Sunday article on five things to watch in the upcoming Idaho legislative session, and a link to our story in Sunday's Spokesman-Review on how uncertainty over the fate of health care reform is playing out as both Idaho and Washington…
Here’s a link to my Sunday column, on state Treasurer Ron Crane’s announcement that he won’t seek re-election at the end of his current term in 2018; Sen. Mike Crapo being named chairman of the powerful Senate Banking Committee; prospects for Idaho lawmakers taking up…
Tonight’s “Idaho Reports” on Idaho Public Television includes an update on the events of the week, and thoughts from citizens, local government leaders, education and local government lobbyists and more about the upcoming legislative session. There’s also a full report from today’s AP Legislative Preview,…
Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge has rejected Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's lawsuit contending the Obama administration acted illegally by imposing federal land-use restrictions intended to protect the sage grouse in Idaho and southwestern Montana. U.S.…
Asked about faith healing and Idaho’s religious exemption from prosecution when children are denied medical care in favor of prayer, Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, was non-committal. “We put together that working group for the purposes of studying the issue more fully, seeing how...
Legislative leaders from both parties were sharply critical this morning of the state Department of Education for “sitting on” problematic teacher-evaluation audit data for six months, before it finally came out through public records requests and suggested extensive problems with the evaluation process. House Speaker...
Top legislative leaders are addressing reporters this morning at the AP Legislative Preview. Among their comments thus far: House Minority Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, said his caucus hopes to “continue to partner with the majority party as much as possible on education policy in Idaho,”…