Otter faces rivals in final debate

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter defended his cuts to education and his track record as governor Thursday night, as he met four rivals in the final debate before Tuesday’s election. “The choice had to be made, because there’s only two ways that you can balance the budget, you either cut the government or you increase the tax load for the citizenry,” Otter declared. “We chose the former.” His Democratic challenger, Keith Allred, strongly disagreed, and peppered Otter with criticisms; also debating were independents Jana Kemp and “Pro-Life” and Libertarian Ted Dunlap. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.