Otter opposes Capitol expansion
Congressman Butch Otter, who is running for governor, has come out against the construction of underground wings to provide more public meeting space in the state Capitol – even though lawmakers debated the issue heatedly for years before endorsing the plan last winter.
Otter said Monday that he thought two nearby state-owned buildings, the old Borah Post Office and the old Ada County Courthouse, could be renovated instead for legislative meeting space at less cost, but he said he had “no idea” how much less that would cost.
Current Gov. Jim Risch said, “There was lengthy, lengthy debate about that during the legislative session, and this is what they settled on. … I think it’s clearly economically responsible. … It was well thought out; it was well discussed.”
Risch added, “We have a resolution that carries the full force and effect of the law now. That is something I’m bound by.”
The state is on the verge of issuing bonds for the $100 million-plus project, which includes renovating the historic Capitol as well as adding the underground rooms. The Legislature voted to tap into cigarette tax proceeds to fund the project.
Jerry Brady, Otter’s Democratic opponent, has long opposed the project as too expensive.
– Betsy Z. Russell
POCATELLO, Idaho
Buddhist monk speaks on happiness at ISU
Just a year ago, the Dalai Lama visited Idaho to a rock-star welcome.
Phakchok Rinpoche, a 25-year-old Buddhist monk who shares his more famous spiritual leader’s robes and short-shorn hair, got a more modest reception from a full house at Idaho State University.
Followers believe Rinpoche is the reincarnation of another lama who died in 1979. His grandfather, father, three uncles and younger brother are also believed by some Buddhists to be reincarnated lamas.
While on a five-month tour called “The Heart of Loving Kindness and Compassion,” Rinpoche told people in the audience at ISU that many humans often look for reasons to be unhappy.
Those people instead should seek compassion, he said.
“Why in a First World country are so many people unhappy?” he asked during a weekend event in eastern Idaho, adding that people bring disturbing emotions upon themselves.
– Associated Press