Boise News

Report: Idaho Governor, Legislature

Gov. Otter Gives Short Preview of Legislative Session

By Jill Kuraitis, 1-07-10

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said he is optimistic about the state’s economic forecasts, partly because of Micron Corporation’s recent report, but hasn’t replied to a letter from legislative leadership asking for a state budget cut of about $50 million from the 2010 budget.

The letter was was reported first by the Idaho Statesman’s Dan Popkey.

During Monday’s Associated Press annual legislative preview meeting attended by reporters and staff, held in a large new committee room at the renovated Statehouse, Otter said it’s possible that 4 percent budget holdbacks announced in September may increase, and that directives, rather than executive orders, have informed agency and department heads they may face 2 percent more.

Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes and House Speaker Lawerence Denney believe the additional two percent cut will be necessary.

“We don’t agree on everything, but there are some important elements on which we do agree,” Otter said.

Otter said during Monday’s State of the State speech “we will be announcing for 2011 a no-growth budget.” But, he said, passing the yearly budget is “a necessary joint effort by me and the legislature.”

“I can’t take money out of one budget and put it in another budget.”

An 18-member joint legislative committee will be consulting financial advisors and economists from around the state, according to House and Senate leadership.

Otter also said he’ll announce his decision about entering the 2010 governor’s race “at the appropriate times....let’s say it’ll be after Monday...it’ll be during the session.”

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