Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little said Idaho faces more tough budget choices but those decisions could benefit the state in the future. Little spoke at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho (ATI) conference Wednesday, telling a crowd that included many policymakers that Idaho’s government is in better shape now than it was during the Depression of the 1930s and doesn’t have nearly the debt of California. Little also said Idaho faces a potentially ugly future of the federal government reducing spending that goes to state programs and services/Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter. More here.

• Shoshone County offers to take state inmates/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
• PERSI is 86% funded, beats standard considere 'excellent'/Eye On Boise
• 2 Idaho lobbying companies merge/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise
• Crapo undecided on debt vote/Erika Bolstad, Idaho Statesman
  
• Capitol's festive Christmas red takes a little green/Jay Patrick, Idaho Reporter
• Lame duck may be too soon for Congress to act on wolves/Brad Iverson-Long, IR

Question: Is it a comfort to you that Idaho's state spending is in far better shape than California's?