Everyone weighs in on Otter speech

It didn’t take long for Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter to start catching flak from both sides of the political spectrum after delivering his tenth State of the State address Jan. 11. “Incomplete,” said Democratic House and Senate leadership. “A tax-and-spend bonanza,” wrote Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman. Idaho’s chief executive had just unveiled a proposed $3.3 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2017—a 7.3 percent increase over FY 2016. “His budget should be declared dead on arrival,” wrote Hoffman, adding Otter’s speech was “devoid of exciting, bold, innovative and conservative policy ideas.” Otter boasted in his speech that “promoting and constantly improving education for the people of Idaho must be the foundation of our work together,” before saying he would propose a $1.59 billion public school funding package and a return to pre-recession operating levels. That wasn’t nearly enough, according to Statehouse Dems, who added, “We cannot compete in today’s economy if we are still trying to catch up to 2009”/ George Prentice , Boise Weekly. More here.

Question: Have you had time to digest the State of the State speech by Gov. Butch Otter. I consider it reasonable. You?