Cue the trumpets: Wednesday’s political theater included letter writing and press baiting at the unnamed venue next to Bardenay. Gov. Otter, who often says he doesn’t want to work things out through the press, worked the press hard at a luncheon with the Idaho Press Club, a group of Boise State University coeds and a man who wants him to run for president.
Otter pulled back his road funding bills saying legislators did not appreciate his efforts to provide them political cover so he’s withdrawing the cover. Legislative leaders said it was fine. The ball is rolling.
Also radioactivity, Tasers and global warming in today’s Newsrack.
Otter sends a letter. Governor writes to the Legislature withdrawing his three transportation funding bills. Speaker: Maybe he should just sit down and talk to us. Sen. Minority Leader: “The governor can take away the element of surprise by including people in his plans.” Several more road funding plans in the works. Latest in a string of rejections for Otter. Druzin in the Statesman. Otter: “They’re standing for election, and I’m not.” Shifrin, AP in the Press Tribune. Russell in the Spokesman. Legislators want to raise $100 million for roads, not $200 million. Ferguson in the LMT [subscrip].
Budgeters pull back teacher pay plan and rework it. Wednesday plan distributes raises across the salary schedule instead of tinkering with it. Teachers like it better, Luna can live with it. Miller, AP in the Press Tribune. Luna: It’s a good budget, considering. Russell in the Spokesman.
20 senators vote against greenhouse gas study. Sen. Kate Kelly: First time climate change discussed on Senate floor. Druzin in the Statesman. No more notable than WWII vets reaching a consensus on long hair and pants on women. Ferguson in the LMT [subscrip].
Two bills focus on stun guns. One keeps them out of the hands of criminals. The other designates them concealed weapons so that Rep. Kren’s wife can carry one in her purse and know how to use it. Shifrin, AP in the Times News.
Timeline on Sabia radioactive leak. People were not notified quickly. Bonneville County Commish: “It’s disappointing. We have a whole team set up to deal with things like this.” Company never dialed 911. Times News.
Areva incentives pass House. Bills would give sales tax exemption and cap property tax values for French nuke power firm looking to build near INL. Davidson in the Post Register.
And $1.6 million approved for nuke research in IF. Center for Advanced Energy Studies gets budget nod, but not as much as it wanted or governor requested. See the center here. Davidson in the Post Register.
Otter backs changes to State Education Board. Otter: “The bottom line is Iwant the State Board out of the management business and back into the policy business.” Give testing back to Department of Education, let college presidents do their jobs. He has interviewed several candidates for possible appointment to the board and has met with board members. Hopkins in the Times News. AP.
Q&A on halfway houses. Bill giving stricter local controls on transition homes headed to governor’s desk. Otter praises halfway houses and local control. Rodine in the Statesman.
CSI, other colleges and unis get slight budget hike. Hopkins in the Times-News.
Hollywood sweetheart deal passes House committee. With no funding attached. Would provide tax incentives only if Commerce can afford it. Heather Rae: “In terms of locations and hospitality, Idaho has advantages, but unfortunately in the film industry everything comes back to the bottom line.” Dey in the Statesman.
Mortimer to run for Mel’s Senate seat. Rep. Dean Mortimer will run for retiring Sen. Mel Richardson’s state Senate seat. Local GOP operative Mike Adams to run for House. Davidson in the Post Register.
Learning to lobby. Midwife from IF living at the Statehouse, coaxing her bill through the chambers. Michell Bartlett: “I’m new to all this, and it is very scary.” Statesman.
Otter on the news blogs: Russell: No more political cover. Richert: Stuck with Clement.
And the blog blogs: Moscow City council stood strong. Mtn. Goat has details and links.
