Batt’s Last Budget Keeps Heir Apparent In Mind Sound Economic Foundation Would Make Kempthorne’s First Year Easier

If people were looking for surprises and exciting new proposals from Gov. Phil Batt in his final budget message, forget it.

It isn’t Batt’s style.

He carried his businesslike approach to government through his fourth and final budget message this week. If it wasn’t exciting, at least it will provide a sound foundation for his heir apparent, Sen. Dirk Kempthorne.

There were some unexpected things in the budget. For one, after three years of what the governor himself called “tightwad” budgets, he loosened up this time, calling for a 7.7 percent overall increase.

In an election year, that gives lawmakers a chance to cut and then run on a platform of defending taxpayers.

But Batt signaled he won’t negotiate in at least one important area. After going along with lawmakers last year and cutting state employees out of any general pay increase, Batt this year wants at least $20.6 million extra pumped into salaries.

In an unusual stand, he told lawmakers they can argue about how the money is distributed - on merit, across the board or upgrading the value of certain jobs. But the amount is not negotiable.

At least Batt’s speech stirred the public employee union leaders into action. Last session, it was known early that Batt and the Legislature’s budget committee planned to stiff state workers.

But their representatives did little to stave it off, and by the time they started complaining, it was too late to reverse the decision.

This time, within a couple of hours of Batt’s speech, employee representatives were squawking about how state workers were being treated.

There was another mild surprise in Batt’s speech. In a recent interview, and in his State of the State message, he hinted he would support extra funding for Head Start or other early childhood development programs.

Kempthorne specifically cited that promise in the State of the State speech as something that he strongly favors.

Batt didn’t ask for anything specific. He did say he has asked Health and Welfare to organize a “central point” for early childhood issues to inventory programs already in progress and make that information available to parents.

There might be extra money put into Head Start and related programs, but it would have a much better chance if the governor had made specific recommendations.

Batt took another step that could ease Kempthorne’s expected transition into the governor’s office next January. He recommended taking $8.5 million in tax revenue out of the budget and placing it into the Budget Reserve Account.

If problems come up next year, extra cash could make it easier for the new governor to deal with them. The conservatives who control the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee thought that was a great idea.

Where’s Kempthorne’s challenger?

Democrats, meanwhile, are just weeks away from the April 3 filing deadline but have yet to come up with a credible gubernatorial candidate. That makes it more and more certain that Kempthorne will get the job next November almost by acclamation.

Party leaders tried to get Idaho Falls’ Linda Milam to make the race. She would be a strong contender based on her proven ability as Idaho Falls’ first female mayor.

But Milam, just elected to a new four-year term, isn’t interested in running for governor, although she reportedly might consider another statewide race down the road.

Democratic Party insiders say they haven’t been approached by anyone seeking support or money to contest Kempthorne.

Former state party Chairman Bill Mauk is out waging a low-visibility campaign for support as the party’s U.S. Senate nominee against 2nd District Rep. Michael Crapo, so it appears the beleaguered Democrats at least will have a known candidate for that race.

Their best hope for success this fall lies with former Congressman Richard Stallings, who is expected to run for Crapo’s open congressional seat that Stallings held for four terms before an unsuccessful Senate bid.

Another Democrat, former Lottery Director Wally Hedrick, may have to weather a primary battle but he has a strong shot at unseating GOP State Schools Superintendent Anne Fox.

Democrats have managed to snare two other candidates, although each will be a heavy underdog.

Lincoln County Prosecutor Brit Groom wants to make the race against GOP incumbent Attorney General Alan Lance, who announced his campaign for a second term with strong support from Batt.

Dan Williams, the Boise lawyer who came within 6,447 votes of beating Helen Chenoweth in the 1996 election, is expected to try again as the Democratic nominee in the 1st Congressional District.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: No one to run? Idaho Falls mayor Linda Milam was approached by Democratic party leaders, who tried to persuade her to run for governor against Republican Sen. Dirk Kempthorne. She turned them down.