Idaho Reports Archive

2010

April 30, 2010: "After the Session (4)" First Congressional District candidates Vaughn Ward and Raul Labrador discuss their hotly contested primary race, we preview the upcoming Idaho Debates, and Col. Tim Marsano of the Idaho National Guard discusses the deployment of the 116th Brigade Combat Team.

April 23, 2010: "After the Session (3)" This week in Idaho politics: Gov. Otter is hospitalized and released, some states-rights initiatives seek signatures to get on the ballot, the State Board of Education approves a new contract for BSU football coach Petersen, and news breaks that congressional GOP candidate Vaughn Ward's family is being supported by a federal bailout.

April 16, 2010: "After the Session (2)" Political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and reporters Betsy Russell (Spokesman-Review), Kevin Richert (Idaho Statesman), Vickie Holbrook (Idaho Press-Tribune), and Bill Roberts (Idaho Statesman) join host Thanh Tan for a discussion of this week's Tea Party gatherings and other news from Idaho politics.

April 9, 2010: "After the Session (1)" Idaho Reports reviews the top stories in Gem state politics this week, including: the State Board of Education votes higher tuition fees for college students; the Department of Health and Welfare closes nine field offices; backlash builds against the attorney general's health care lawsuit; the gubernatorial campaigns kick it up a notch; state revenue numbers show impressive gains; and gas prices hit the three dollar mark.

April 2, 2010: "Sine Die Special" The 2010 Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Monday. A session that started off being all about the budget ended with renewed frustration toward the federal government. House and Senate leaders review the session with host Thanh Tan. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the session that was in our Below the Dome segment; and a special farewell to retiring lawmakers.

March 26, 2010: "Week Eleven" Lawmakers were on the fast track toward adjourning for good this week. Alas, their exit strategy was thwarted by a slew of last-minute hiccups. Host Thanh Tan reviews the week with Senate Majority Caucus Leader Russ Fulcher, Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, House Education Committee Chair Bob Nonini and House Education committee member Rep. Branden Durst. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston.

March 19, 2010: "Week Ten" House and Senate leaders discuss what it's going to take for lawmakers to finish a session that's been dominated by budget woes. Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, and House Minority Leader John Rusche talk to Thanh Tan about the going-home issues. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins.

March 12, 2010: "Week Nine" JFAC co-chairs Rep. Maxine Bell and Sen. Dean Cameron join House Majority Leader Mike Moyle and Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly for a discussion about the controversial Idaho Education Network, the struggle to pass a public education budget, cuts to higher education, and the increased dependence on user fees to sustain the Dept. of Parks and Recreation. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston.

March 5, 2010: "Week Eight" State Superintendent Tom Luna, Education Association President Sheri Wood, School Boards Association Executive Director Karen Echeverria, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, and Rep. Fred Wood chew over the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee's proposed cut to public education funding. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Kate Kelly, D-Boise.

February 26, 2010: "Week Seven" Host Thanh Tan and 4 legislative leaders discuss differing viewpoints on the proper role of state government as well as increasing tension among lawmakers after the Senate killed a House-led attempt to block a 1% cost-of-living adjustment for 33,000 Idaho PERSI recipients. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Lenore Hardy Barrett, R-Challis.

February 19, 2010: "Week Six" This week, JFAC balanced the budget for the remaining four months of Fiscal Year 2010 by instituting a 7.1% across-the-board cut for all state agencies. Sen. Nicole LeFavour, JFAC Vice-Chair Rep. Darrell Bolz, and Gov. Otter's budget chief, Wayne Hammon discuss how state services and workers may be affected, how lawmakers plan to fill the budget gap for K-12 education, and look ahead to the 2011 budget setting process. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D- Ketchum.

February 12, 2010: "Week Five" This week: JFAC's final revenue target and economic development. Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Russ Fulcher, and House Minority Leader John Rusche discuss what lawmakers are doing to preserve jobs - and how they plan to create new opportunities. Also, coffee and conversation with our Across the Spectrum panelists; analysis of the week in politics in our Below the Dome segment; and our Public Servant of the Week, Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls.

February 5, 2010: "Week Four" This week, Idaho Reports gets back to basics, with an explanation of how state lawmakers develop the budget. Three key members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee - co-Chairs Sen. Dean Cameron and Rep. Maxine Bell, along with Democratic JFAC member Rep. Wendy Jaquet - discuss how they'll make tough decisions about cuts to state services and workers.

January 29, 2010: "Week Three" This week, Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna explains his unconventional strategy for filling a $135 million hole in school funding. Also, "Across the Spectrum Panel" members take on the Democrats' IJOBS proposal; statehouse analysts Betsy Russell, Jim Weatherby and Kevin Richert consider higher education's struggle to find state support; and "Public Servant of the Week" features Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d' Alene.

January 22, 2010: "Week Two" This week, Idaho Reports examines the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee's revenue projection and the possibility of a $110 million cut for the remainder of this fiscal year, Health and Welfare's budget woes, and Gov. Otter and Nancy Merrill's press conference announcing a "paradigm shift" in the way the Dept. of Parks and Recreation is operated.

January 15, 2010: "Week One" Idaho Reports analyzes Gov. Otter's State of the State and Budget Address, from his proposals for mid-year cuts to public schools to the gradual elimination of several departments and agencies. Guests on the program include: Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, Betsy Russell, Dan Popkey, Dr. Jim Weatherby, and Robb Hicken.

January 8, 2010: "2010 Legislative Preview" Idaho Reports previews the upcoming 2010 Legislative session with top lawmakers, reporters, and pundits. Host Thanh Tan discusses possible cuts to public education and the governor's announcement that there will be an additional cut in state spending outlined in his State of the State and Budget Address.

January 11, 2010: 2010 State of the State/State of the Budget 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.

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January 11, 2010: Analyzing the Address After the address, in a web-only segment, host Thanh Tan discusses the governor's proposals with Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman, Dr. Gary Moncrief of Boise State University, and Wayne Hammon, Otter's budget director.

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January 9, 2010: Idaho Reports Special: Capitol Rededication Ceremony Citizens and lawmakers past and present gathered on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the re-opening of the building. The $122 million renovation and expansion project has been closed to the public for more than two years. Watch Idaho Reports' coverage of the Idaho Capitol Commission's Rededication Ceremony, followed by a discussion about the historical significance of this day with former commission chair Roy Eiguren.

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January 7, 2010: "Governor Otter Announces Additional Holdback" Three days prior to delivering his State of the State and Budget Address, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and legislative leaders announce state agencies can expect an additional holdback in funding and "no growth" in next year's budget recommendation. Otter said he will release the actual amount of the holdback during his speech to the House and Senate on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Speaking before reporters attending the AP Legislative Preview, Otter and leaders also answered questions about jobs, the economy, health care, and the length of the session.

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Prior State of the State Addresses

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 would require a continuing revenue flow."

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