Gov. Butch Otter
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter says lingering disagreements in the 2009 Legislature over transportation funding and slashing state agency personnel costs may be “detracting from each other” as lawmakers try to wrap up the session.
So far, the House has spurned the governor’s plan to raise $174 million annually in new roads money. House Speaker Lawerence Denney says a vote on a meager 2 cent-per-gallon gas tax hike, to 27 cents, may come by Friday.
Meanwhile, House majority leaders are sparring with Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee leaders over how much to cut personnel.
Otter and the panel have tentatively approved a compromise 3 percent cut, as long as his agency directors get flexibility to enact the austerity measures. Otter insists that anything short of that encroaches on executive branch powers.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Lawerence Denney and Majority Leader Mike Moyle both said after a caucus session Thursday that 5 percent cuts are needed to balance Idaho’s lean 2010 budget. (AP)
