Butch Otter

Gov. Otter To Get $54,000 Annual Housing Stipend

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:40:38 +0000

Idaho will resume paying a $4,500 monthly governor's housing stipend to C.L. "Butch" Otter in June as it clears furniture from the governor's mansion in Boise in preparation for returning the home to the Simplot family.

The state decided this year to give back the hilltop mansion.

Bottom Rung: Gov. Otter Touts Idaho’s Low Wages To Attract Gun Companies

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:03:03 +0000

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is using Idaho’s low wages as a selling point. In a letter sent to out-of-state gun manufacturers last month to encourage them to relocate to Idaho, Otter touts the comparatively low cost of labor here.

May Is Second Amendment Protection Month In Idaho

Frankie Barnhill — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:43:21 +0000

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has designated May as Second Amendment Protection Month.

His signed declaration cites Idaho's gun-friendly ranking with the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Otter's declaration also seeks to "encourage business leaders who are looking for a new operation for their locations to become new corporate citizens in a state that will encourage their continued success."

2013 Idaho Legislature: By The Numbers

Samantha Wright — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The 2013 Idaho Legislature adjourned on April 4. Legislators debated everything from health care to public education funding. We brought you the major stories from the 62nd regular session, including the creation of a state-based health insurance exchange. Now it’s time to do the numbers, with a little help from the recently released end of session report:

State-Based Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passes The Idaho Legislature, Heads To Governor

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:44:07 +0000

Idaho lawmakers fundamentally opposed to the federal health care law made a final effort to convince their colleagues to reject a state-based health insurance exchange, but to no avail. The bill which will create a state-based online insurance marketplace passed the Senate 23-12, sending the measure to Gov. C.L.

Republican Lawmaker Wants To Expand Medicaid In Idaho

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:32:00 +0000

A Republican lawmaker says he will bring forward a bill to expand Idaho's Medicaid program this week. That's after Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter said lawmakers should wait on the issue.

Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-Bone) plans to introduce two bills on Thursday.

One would dissolve Idaho's Catastrophic Health Care Program. That's the program that helps medically indigent Idahoans who don't qualify for state or federal health care aid.

Governor's Mansion To Return To Simplot Family

Associated Press — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:18:59 +0000

Idaho aims to return the hilltop mansion to the Simplot family by June 30 in a tentative agreement over the would-be governor's residence-turned-money pit that remained vacant even as maintenance costs skyrocketed.

That's according to a resolution approved unanimously by Idaho Governor's Housing Committee Friday at a meeting in Boise.

J.R. Simplot, the deceased billionaire who built his agricultural empire, in part, on french fry sales to McDonald's, donated the home in 2004.

Sequester Imminent, Otter Says Federal Spending Is Dangerous

Samantha Wright and Associated Press — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:43:57 +0000

The White House says automatic spending reductions will be put off until late this evening. President Obama must issue the order for $85 billion in cuts sometime today. And White House press secretary Jay Carney says that means midnight, because Obama remains "ever hopeful."

Idaho Governor Butch Otter weighed in on the cuts known as the sequester yesterday. He was on the east coast, speaking to a meeting of Farmers Insurance officials.

Idaho Legislature Could Take Up Hot Topics This Week Including Ed Funding

Samantha Wright — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:34:33 +0000

Idaho lawmakers have been in session for nearly three months and there's still a lot to get done before legislators can go home. The Governor’s health insurance exchange survived a vote in the Senate. Now the House will consider the state-based exchange this week. There are also several education and gun bills that are working their way through the legislative process.

Idaho's Governor Won't Officially Declare Another Bid For Office

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:44:29 +0000

Idaho Governor Butch Otter says the history of disagreement he has with Congressman Raul Labrador represents differences of opinion not conflict.

Idaho's Governor Supports Creation of New Volunteer Fire Districts

Aaron Kunz — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:35:04 +0000

Idaho Governor Butch Otter pledged to make wildfires on public land a priority in 2013. Now, he's asking for $400,000 for four volunteer fire groups in Idaho. They would make ranchers the first responders to fires that threaten homes and livestock.

Idaho Democrats Open To Personal Property Tax Cut

Associated Press — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:14:08 +0000

Idaho Democrats are open to a $141 million personal property tax cut proposed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, provided there's something in it for local governments.

The minority party today offered its annual response to Otter's State of the State speech, when the Republican governor announced he favored local option taxes to help replace money cities, counties and schools stand to lose from elimination of the tax on business equipment.

Idaho Governor Not Committed To Education Funding Says Former Advisor

Adam Cotterell — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:56:49 +0000

First came the preliminaries: welcomes, thanks, a nod to Abraham Lincoln for creating the Idaho Territory 150 years ago this year. But then it was time for the money. Governor Butch Otter’s first announcement in his State of the State address Monday was a proposal to raise state spending as a whole by 3.1 percent. That’s based on an estimated 5.3 percent increase in revenue.

Appeals Court Rules In Favor of Idaho Roadless Rule

Aaron Kunz — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:37:32 +0000

Idaho leaders are hailing Monday’s decision by a federal appeals court to uphold the state's strategy for managing millions of acres of roadless wilderness.

Idaho’s roadless rule provides the framework for use and protection of more than 9 million acres of backcountry land owned by the public.

The Idaho plan was adopted in 2006 and approved by the Bush administration. In other states, federal public land is subject to a more restrictive Clinton-era roadless rule.

Gov. Otter’s State Of The State Speech Sets His Agenda For Idaho Legislature

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:27:24 +0000

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter released his budget along with his State of the State speech Monday.

The governor’s budget would increase general fund spending by 3.1 percent in fiscal year 2014. The FY14 budget is $2.78 billion, that’s an $84 million increase over FY13.

Personal Property Tax, Health Insurance Exchange Likely Topics In Governor's Yearly Address Today

Adam Cotterell — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:33:23 +0000

Monday Idaho’s 2013 legislative session begins with Governor Butch Otter’s State of the State address. Speaking to reporters Friday Otter hinted at what he might say.

“The state of the state is in pretty good shape,” he said. “It’s in great shape when I compare it to the stories I hear from a lot of my colleagues in the different governors’ organizations that I belong to.”

Otter says he’ll propose a budget that is balanced and sound with no new revenue. But there’s a lot he hasn’t revealed.

Governor Asks “Top Cop” For Recommendations On School Security

Adam Cotterell and Frankie Barnhill — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:59:07 +0000

The retiring head of the Idaho State Police will scrutinize security in Idaho's schools. Gov. C.L "Butch" Otter has asked Colonel Jerry Russell to make recommendations for safety and security improvements.

Along with the Department of Education, Russell will study current safety measures with local police departments and officials at individual districts.

Idaho Governor Says State Is In Pretty Good Shape

Adam Cotterell — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:08:32 +0000

Idaho’s 2013 legislative session begins Monday with Governor Butch Otter’s State of the State address. Otter gave some clues about what he’ll say when he spoke Friday morning at the Associated Press’s annual legislative preview.

“The state of the state is in pretty good shape,” Otter said. “It’s in great shape when I compare it to the stories I hear from a lot of my colleagues in the different governors’ organizations that I belong to.”

Idaho's Governor Waits For Details Of Any Fiscal Cliff Cuts

Associated Press — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:19:27 +0000

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is taking a wait-and-see approach on the impact to the state of federal funding cuts in the wake of any fiscal cliff deal.

Otter Wants Group To Study Idaho Education Options

Associated Press — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:39:05 +0000

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has asked the State Board of Education to shepherd a statewide discussion about improving education for students.

Otter said Thursday a broadly representative group of Idahoans yet to be selected will study options that could lead to changes without lawmakers creating new laws.

But he says if the group determines legislation is necessary, lawmakers could take up the ideas in 2014.