Democrats OK with Otter

BOISE – Democrats from the House and Senate said Tuesday they’re ready to work with new GOP Gov. Butch Otter, though they differ with him on several issues.

“While we are Democrats and Republicans, in our hearts we are all Idahoans, and we want to make the best public policy for the broadest range of people,” said Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum.

Stennett and House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, praised Otter for reaching out to them and meeting with them for over an hour on Monday.

“It just seems to be a little more of an open atmosphere,” Jaquet said.

The Democrats said they favor repealing the sales tax on food rather than Otter’s proposal for an expanded grocery tax credit; they want more emphasis from the state on early childhood education; and they favor a state energy plan that includes developing alternative fuels and state oversight of power plant siting.

They endorsed Otter’s community college proposal, which would lower the supermajority to form a new community college district from two-thirds to 60 percent if the vote takes place in a general election.

They also called for banning canned elk hunts on elk farms, raising the minimum wage and limiting tax breaks for big business.