Idaho Reports Archive

2012

April 6, 2012: "Week 13: A Look Back at the Big Issues" Two brave lawmakers face the pundits for a look back at their best and worst moments, and we explore both sides of the contentious abortion debate and other session highlights.

March 30, 2012: "Week Twelve: Sine Die" The session ended on party line votes as Senate Republicans passed a tax cut for the state's top income earners as well as a slate of ethics rules the minority party hadn't seen in advance and didn't agree with after they did. All in all, after 81 days, Gov. Butch Otter got much of what he wanted.

March 23, 2012: "Week Eleven: Abortion and Ethics" The conservative Idaho House Republican caucus shocked political observers when it agreed to table - for now - a bill requiring ultrasounds before every abortion. Less surprising, the decision of a Senate ethics committee on a potential conflict of interest. Also, lobbyists react to the 2012 session so far, and we examine how conflicts of interest work in a citizen legislature.

March 16, 2012: "Week Ten: Teacher Pay Emerges as a 'Going Home' Issue" House Education chair Rep. Bob Nonini puts the brakes on a Senate bill halting future teacher pay cuts. Also, a heated hearing on new abortion rules. A new Senate ethics investigation. More debates over local control. And a growing feeling in the Statehouse that maybe a March 23rd close was a bit optimistic. We break down the end game.

March 9, 2012: "Week Nine: Beginning of the End?" The last budget has been written, and the coming political races have been set: that usually means the Legislature is about two weeks from adjournment. We ask top GOP and Democratic leaders how close we are to the finish. Plus, our pundits take a look this year's elections and the likely changes to next year's Legislature.

March 2, 2012: "Week Eight: Retirement Season" Redistricting and the election filing deadline motivate a wave of retirement announcments. Retirees Rep. Dennis Lake (R-Blackfoot) and Rep. Wendy Jaquet (D-Ketchum) reminisce about how the Statehouse has changed. Plus, reporter Aaron Kunz looks at energy issues, and we get philosophical on the Occupy movement.

February 24, 2012: "Week 7: Ethics and State Employee Pay Dominate the Week" In a week that saw the surprise resignation of one senator, two lawmakers discuss how Idaho may change its ethics rules. Plus, the debate over state employee pay and a look at state economic development.

February 17, 2012: "Week 6: JFAC Sets a Budget Target" Two key committee chairs talk about the needs competing for state dollars, and our pundits handicap which will come out on top. Plus, the start of tax debates and a primer on a much-changed primary system.

February 10, 2012: "Week 5: Students, state parks and the pundits' outlook for the primary" We take a close look at a bill designed to allow students to take college courses while still in high school, and another to increase funding for state parks.

February 3, 2012: "Week Four: Jobs, jobs, jobs - and the impact of budget cuts" Advocates and opponents of gas drilling in Idaho have competing ideas about how Idaho can boost its economy. Also, JFAC hears testimony on the impact of the recent years of budget cuts, and our pundits react to the death of Micron CEO Steve Appleton.

January 27, 2012: "Week Three: Interview with the Gov; Higher Ed Week at the Capitol" It doesn't look good for an Idaho-built health insurance exchange, but the governor hopes his other priorities can survive. Gov. Otter shares his thoughts on the legislative session with Greg Hahn. Plus, Idaho's university presidents talk about how to keep college affordable and effective, while our pundits take on the redistricting fight.

January 20, 2012: "Week Two: Health exchanges, Redistricting, and a Camping ban" It didn't take long for things to heat up at the Statehouse. Host Greg Hahn addresses the debate over a state health insurance exchange with some key lobbyists, explores the Idaho economy with a Boise businessman, explains a court decision on redistricting, and discusses drilling rules, Medicaid cuts and Occupy Boise with the pundits.

January 13, 2012: "Week One: Opening Moves" Gov. Butch Otter made his pitch, and the Democrats pointed out where they saw flaws. Now, as the 2012 session gets underway, majority Republicans will begin looking over Otter's plans for more tax breaks, new incentives for university research and business development, and more. Lawmakers Sen. Ken Roberts, Sen. Tim Corder, and Rep. Grant Burgoyne guest. Political analyst Jim Weatherby and reporters Betsy Russell, Jessie Bonner, and Bill Roberts provide context.

January 9, 2012: 2012 State of the State/State of the Budget: Even though there are surplus funds in the state's coffers for the first time in four years, there's little growth in Gov. Otter's proposed budget - nor much desire for future growth. In his annual address to lawmakers, Gov. Butch Otter lays out his plans for the coming year - with an emphasis on education, jobs and the economy. Afterwards, Idaho budget chief Wayne Hammon, and journalists Kevin Richert (Idaho Statesman) and Vickie Holbrook (Idaho Press-Tribune) analyze the Governor's speech. Read the text (PDF).

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Prior State of the State Addresses

2011 State of the State/State of the Budget (January 10, 2011): In his annual address to state lawmakers, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter continued to urge fiscal restraint and no new taxes, admonished the federal government for a rash of ills, from wolf management to health care reform, and called for individuals, families and communities to solve problems in place of government programs. Read the text (PDF).

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2010 State of the State/State of the Budget (January 11, 2010): In his annual address to state lawmakers, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter reiterated his belief in limited government and urged lawmakers to cut state spending by $40 million to balance Idaho's budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. For the first time, public education faces a mid-year funding cut. Otter is also recommending the removal of the Dept. of Parks & Recreation share of the state's general fund and gradually eliminating other departments by 2014, including: the Human Rights Commission, Developmental Disabilities Council, Digital Learning Academy, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Council, Hispanic Commission, Independent Living Council and Idaho Public Television. Read the text (PDF).

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2009 State of the State/State of the Budget (January 12, 2009): Gov. Otter asked the Legislature to approve cuts in nearly every sector of state government. His suggested holdbacks range from 5% for public education and 7.5% for Health & Welfare to nearly 56% for Parks and Recreation. The governor also laid out his plans for generating transportation revenue, including increases in the fuel tax rate, rental car excise taxes, and vehicle registration fees. Read the text (PDF).

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2008 State of the State/State of the Budget (January 7, 2008): Invoking former President Reagan's vision of a "Creative Society," Gov. Butch Otter's blueprint for state government emphasized a variety of education, prevention, and rehabilitation initiatives designed to help individuals make the most of their creative potential and their lives. He also expressed support for local option taxing authority to help pay for roads and bridges, while saying nothing about Supt. Tom Luna's merit-based pay proposal for teachers. Read the text.

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2007 State of the State/State of the Budget (January 8, 2007): Governor Otter delivered a modest but upbeat State of the State and State of the Budget speech to the Legislature Monday. After noting the still-booming Idaho economy, he cautioned, "I am recommending that we neither significantly expand existing programs nor add any major new initiatives that would require a continuing revenue flow."

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Prior Inauguration

Gov. Otter's 2011 Inauguration (January 7, 2011): On a brisk January afternoon, Idaho's constitutional officers — Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Controller Donna Jones, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, and Treasurer Ron Crane — took their respective oaths of office on the steps of the state Capitol building. Following the oaths, Gov. Otter gave a short inaugural address.

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Gov. Otter's 2007 Inauguration (January 5, 2007)

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