U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, right, and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, discuss the federal deficit and looming budget cuts in Boise earlier today. (AP Photo/Todd Dvorak)

Idaho’s senior senator and congressman both said today that they expect the automatic federal budget cuts required by sequestration to kick in as scheduled on March 1, forcing devastating cuts. “The one thing I’ve discovered is for every complex problem, there is a simple solution that doesn’t work,” said 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson. “I think sequestration is going to kick into effect, because I don’t see the will on either side of the aisle to try to address what are painfully stupid cuts – it’s a meat ax”/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

Other Eye on Boise blogs posts today:

• Senate backs new oil, gas commission
• CAT fund returns $6M in 2012-13 budget
• Unanimous votes on several agencies' budgets
• Game plan shapes up for insurance exchange debate
• After much debate, Senate passes Medicaid readiness bill
• Move to boost IDEQ workers' pay falls short on party-line vote
• Change to staggered food stamp distribution clears committee