For a minute there he looked like Al Gore, double Power Point screens, talking about hybrid vehicles for state agencies and a DEQ review of emissions. But no. State of the State at BSU felt like a college (high school?) graduation. But with quite a bit more politics thrown in. Nothing shocking in the speech, and the stuff he left out is very strategic… Luna’s teacher pay plan, transit for the Treasure Valley. There is the stuff he said, the stuff he didn’t say and the stuff he didn’t NOT say. Also, a health info sharing system for the state and the meth project in today’s Newsrack. [Please refresh this morning… more will be posted].
What he said, what he didn’t say. Otter speech roundup, reactions from some lawmakers. Druzin in the Statesman. Full speech text at BW. AP wrap. Canyon County Reaction in the Press-Tribune. North Idaho in the LMT. Otter cites growth. Dean A. Ferguson in the LMT. Otter proposes zero-based budgets (for next year). Phil Davidson in the Post Register. Slim pickens for the Magic Valley. Jared S. Hopkins in the Times-News. Gov. to try targeted grocery tax credit again. Dave Goins in the CDA Press. Avuncular Butch. Sharon Fisher on NewWest.
Dems respond to State of State. Call for zero-based tax exemptions, local option for TRANSIT and more Otter “enviro initiatives” (?) Brad Carlson in the IBR.
Otter looks under the hood. Popkey: “Otter asks for major investments, not patching and scraping to keep the rig running.” In the Statesman.
Otter supports health data exchange. Sandra Bruce, St. Al’s: “You want your health care provider, your doctor in particular, to have access to as much of your health record as possible so you can have the very best car.” Colleen Lamay in the Satesman.
“Transit” missing word in Otter speech. Gov. supports local option tax for counties for asphalt. Otter: “I said here’s what I will support. I didn’t say what I wouldn’t support. Don’t read anything into it.” Cynthia Sewell in the Statesman. Gov. supports vehicle registration fee hike. Also, Otter wrote the state’s first $3 billion budget. Russell in the Spokesman.
Otter wants $20 million for aquifer study. Otter: “We simply must not repeat the problems we are seeing along the Snake River.” Rocky Barker in the Statesman.
Lots of education ideas in Otter speech. Except Luna’s teacher play plan not explicit. $50 mil in ‘ships, community college funding, and 5% raise for state employees including teachers. Anne Wallace Allen in the Statesman.
Speaker has to Mouth Ring for Votes. Bell didn’t work in Annex. Sharon Fisher on NewWest.
Post Falls Businessman Joins Senate Race. Richard Phenneger says only 21 percent of Idahoans are satisfied with Risch, LaRocco or other candidates. Betsy Z. Russell in the Spokesman. Phenneger: “I knew people were dissatisfied, but I had no idea there would be that degree of dissatisfaction.” Marc Stewart in the CDA Press.
Sali Stumping in N. Idaho on Immigration. Brian Walker in the CDA Press.
N. Idaho School District Decides NOT to Ban Book. CDA schools will leave Snow Falling on Cedars on reading lists. Maureen Dolan in the CDA Press.
Idaho Meth Project ads begin. Graphic ads include a romantic night in prison, waking up on operating table. AP in Press-Tribune.
