Caution greets Otter’s plan

BOISE – Gov. Butch Otter’s plan to revamp state agencies got a cold reception Friday from House and Senate budget writers, another sign the new chief executive and the 2007 Legislature are still struggling to define their relationship.

At a Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee hearing Friday, lawmakers from both parties said Otter’s moves to trim government and make it more efficient may be laudable, but they’ve yet to see any actual analysis showing how the moves will benefit Idaho taxpayers.

“I don’t see how they can possibly complete the job this year,” said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome and budget panel co-chair. “That appears to be a two-year process.”

Keith Johnson, Otter’s hand-picked Department of Administration buster, told budget writers he had not completed a budget proposal to reflect the agency’s breakup. Bell told him he’d better hurry, because the committee has until only March 9 to wrap up the budget it will send to the full House and Senate.

Still, Johnson said Otter has set an ambitious course for Idaho government. Attempts to delay until 2008 would be counterproductive, he said.

Among other things, Otter wants to outsource some functions within the Department of Administration, such as computer support, to the private sector and end a turf feud between some state agencies and Human Resources by moving its functions under the oversight of the Financial Management division.

It may well be a good thing to do away with Administration and Human Resources, said Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley and a member of the budget writing committee. Still, Wood said he wants to see the analysis.

“The comfort level is not there yet,” he said.

Johnson told him Human Resources functions would continue, only elsewhere.

Lawmakers said Otter’s demands, coupled with what they so far say is inadequate information, may not leave them enough time to make an informed decision before April 1, the start of planned building renovations that will force them out of the Capitol for two years. And if they don’t have enough time, some would rather wait until 2008.

“I support the governor’s effort,” said Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover. “I also think we need to proceed cautiously. I’ve seen new CEOs come in and all at once try to change things around, and make things worse. I don’t want that.”

Otter aides said waiting is not an option.

“(Otter) wanted this to be in place by July,” said Judie Wright, his choice to oversee Human Resources’ breakup. “He didn’t want this to drag out.”