Caucus to address ‘35-35-35 plan’

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Senators will meet behind closed doors on a plan informally known as “35-35-35” that’s being touted as the 2012 Legislature’s going-home package. That’s $35 million to restore teacher salaries over five years, $35 million for tax cuts and $35 million for rainy-day accounts. Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill said Wednesday those numbers are the basic outline of a proposal meant to satisfy the House, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and his chamber. The package would direct any additional surplus money come July 1 to savings accounts drained since 2008. House Speaker Lawerence Denney said Wednesday that he believes House Republicans would support that proposal. Not all Senate lawmakers are on board, however. Some favor ditching the tax cuts in favor of stocking up reserves — just in case Idaho’s economy heads south again.