Column: Government

Transportation Money Match is Advantage: Otter

By Jill Kuraitis, 4-21-09

Outside the gritty windows of the Capitol Annex, the Boise weather has turned glorious, the usual signal that lawmakers have left town. But a power play between Republican Gov. Butch Otter and the near-80% Republican state legislature over transportation funding have all parties perturbed, and the session is over 100 days long, nearly a record.

Each day the Legislature remains in session costs Idaho taxpayers more than $30,000. That’s $3 million so far this session. And the way Otter has played it, lawmakers are to blame.

The governor wants to raise taxes for road and bridge repairs. The House thinks funding road repair with higher taxes is a rotten idea, and Otter has agreed to several rewrites, dramatically whittling down his original $240 million request. But the House defeated the latest version 55 to 15 – and since they are a large majority, it’s the House R’s who are responsible.

While agreeing that safe and reliable roads are a state government responsibility, Democrats say that people can’t afford the taxes, especially now. They are also upset the governor made transportation his first priority, saying education budget cuts are deeper than ever and that funding for schools should have been set aside before anything else.

Fed up, Monday and Tuesday Otter threw down the gauntlet by vetoing 25 key budget bills. In a letter to leadership, he wrote: “I have no problem with these bills. At some point they will merit positive consideration. However, consistent with my desire to provide you with the time to positively address our need for an ongoing source of transportation revenue, I am vetoing these bills and will continue vetoing appropriations bills until an adequate transportation bill is approved by the Legislature and delivered for my consideration.

“I tried to be diplomatic and respectful of the Legislature and its deliberations with the actions I took earlier today. Yet it seems my efforts instead left many confused and questioning my resolve. So to eliminate any doubt about where I stand and to expedite the legislative process, I am vetoing these appropriations bills before me immediately.

“Further, let me say unequivocally that I do not intend to call a special session of the Legislature because I am not going to let this session end until this legitimate and proper role of government is addressed in the manner it deserves.”

In other words: Bite me.  It’s your move – and it better be good. 

Even though their 2009 rallying cry has been “people before potholes” House Democrats could perhaps have helped Otter broker a compromise with the bill-killing House Republicans.  In a statement Tuesday, the Democrats said they “stand ready to work with the governor to fund transportation improvements if he takes action to lessen the historic cuts to vital public services.” According to Branden Durst, D-Boise, Otter hasn’t reach out this session. In a letter to the governor, Durst wrote, “At what point did you ask us, ‘What do you need to get on board?’”

Could massaging the minority be one of Otter’s weapons in the war to win over his own party? There aren’t enough House Democrats to carry a bill, but they could be effective in working a compromise, especially when House R’s and Otter probably ought to avoid a face-to-face for a day or two. It’s not too late for Otter to try it. It may further annoy legislative Republicans, but what the heck - they’re already raw.

Otter is in the catbird seat. Unlike part-time legislators, he doesn’t have crops to put in or a job elsewhere to get back to. He doesn’t have to camp on anybody’s sofa because his Boise lease ran out March 30. I’d guess he doesn’t give much of a heck who is mad at him right now. And he’s got the House Republicans looking responsible for that daily $30K.

Otter’s town hall meetings convinced him that voters want the roads fixed. He’s never been pleased with his weak legislative support, especially in the House. Like a cowboy and his horse cornering a breakout steer, he’ll hold back the reins and stick it out.  I’m thinkin’ he’s not blinkin’.

Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.