Otter praises legislative session

Gov. Butch Otter this morning applauded the just-concluded legislative session, particularly lauding lawmakers for not raising taxes. The governor praised lawmakers’ “efficiency, sensitivity and civic virtue,” and said they stuck to five principles he outlined: 1) Don’t raise taxes. 2)Maintain some cash reserve. 3) Protect education. 4) Protect health and safety. 5) Avoid duplication or waste of taxpayer money. “I think we have reaffirmed Idaho’s values in terms of living within the taxpayers’ means,” Otter said. “As far as I’m concerned we had a great session.”

Joined by a group of GOP lawmakers, he said, “There isn’t a person up here that wouldn’t have liked to have more money for education, but getting that money means raising taxes. I don’t think it’s a smart thing to do.”