Idaho Reports will return January 2009 Gov. Otter's Press Conference (4-7-2008): Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter looks back over the just-completed legislative session, and gives mixed reviews all around. Watch the press conference online Missed opportunities (4-4-2008): It's over. Many lament what didn't get done during the legislative session, especially on road maintenance needs. But the worsening economy and declining revenues made already conservative lawmakers even more cautious about taxes and spending.
Watch the show online After the Show: When the television show ends, the conversation continues. Week 13: "Communication is a two way street": Despite all being members of the same party, good communication (sometimes any at all) among House, Senate, and the Governor seemed in short supply this session. IR Panelists at the Boise City Club (1-16-2008): Our own Betsy Russell and Jim Weatherby join Statesman reporter Dan Popkey at the Boise City Club Forum for a look ahead at the 2008 legislature. Listen to the Forum (audio-only MP3):
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 full address. Watch Gov. Otter's address online View Chief Justice Daniel T. Eismann's State of the Judiciary Preview the 2008 sessionHahn: I expect the lawmakers will talk a lot about transportation . . . More Kulczyk: The Governor appears to be ready to start on a spending spree . . . More Richardson: This session's "big ticket" topics include grocery tax relief, a possible new prison, teachers' pay . . . More Russell: Legislators seem convinced that they're going to have a short legislative session . . . More Weatherby: Regardless of how many portable toilets or refrigerators are added to the old Ada County Courthouse, this will be an uncomfortable, contentious session . . . More Have a question or comment? Email us. This season Idaho Reports features five regular contributors:
Watch previous shows and web-exclusive video from the 2008 legislative session on our This Week page. |
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For the session's final week, here's what caught our panel's attention: the successful compromise on the business personal property tax, a failed constitutional amendment on bonding authority for local governments, the fight over substance abuse treatment funds, and the fits and starts (mostly fits) over transportation.
State of the State/State of the Budget (1-7-2008): Invoking President Ronald 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.
