Idaho Reports

Week Seventeen

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

After 117 days in session, the Idaho Legislature has finally adjourned sine die. This week's wrap-up show features an all-star panel of pundits and politicians dissecting the final days of the political stand-off between Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and the House over transportation funding. Thanh Tan moderates the discussion among Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review, Dan Popkey and Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman, political analyst Jim Weatherby, Keith Allred of The Common Interest, Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, House Asst. Majority Leader Scott Bedke, Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly and House Minority Leader John Rusche.

After the Show: Week Seventeen

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists reflect on the changes lawmakers made to public education this year, the effects of the stimulus package, and the growing political clashes inside the Republican party.

Week Sixteen

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

The House of Representatives left the Senate hanging this week after voting Wednesday night to adjourn sine die. The lawmakers refused to give in to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's demands for a fuel tax increase and $75 million in additional road funds. The Senate continues to stand by the governor's side, so forcing the House to return on Monday. This week's show features insight and commentary from Sen. Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner, House Minority Caucus Leader Bill Killen, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review.

After the Show: Week Sixteen

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists Stegner, Killen, Bedke, Weatherby and Russell talk about how the governor may have permanently lost support from lawmakers after last week's veto spree. They also respond to accusations that some members may be hypocritical for wanting road projects in their districts but not wanting to raise taxes to pay for them. The discussion includes spirited debate between Rep. Bedke and his "blood cousin" in the Senate, Sen. Stegner, as they respond to critical editorials about the House's early adjournment.

Week Fifteen

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter wielded his veto stamp 35 times this week, in an all-out effort to convince lawmakers to support HB 96, a bill amended by the Senate to increase the fuel tax by four cents. Lawmakers responded by killing the measure by a vote of 15-55. This week's panel discusses how the vetoes may have backfired, the new road proposals being considered by the House, the potential end game, and the scramble to end the session. Host Thanh Tan is joined by regular contributors Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review. This week's featured lawmakers are JFAC co-chair Sen. Dean Cameron, House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, and Rep. Cliff Bayer.

After the Show: Week Fifteen

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panelists Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell, Sen. Dean Cameron, Rep. James Ruchti, and Rep. Cliff Bayer respond to Sen. Cameron's impassioned plea for support of the governor's road priorities, then watch archive footage of former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne vetoing a slew of bills to get his transportation bills passed in 2005 and compare the two governors' approaches. Also: editorials from around the state and the quirky story behind the House "crow."

Week Fourteen

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Lawmakers are itching to go home, but two issues remain unresolved: transportation funding and the final budget. Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly, Senate Transportation Chair John McGee, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, political analyst Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review join host Thanh Tan for a discussion about the Senate's last-ditch effort to help the governor move his transportation agenda forward. Also: the failure of the liquor license quota bill in the House and the latest agreement on cutting state personnel costs.

After the Show: Week Fourteen

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

The discussion turns to the remaining public education funding bills, the proper role of government in treating cystic fibrosis patients, a controversial bill to allow guns at work, and some perspective on Sen. McGee's attempt to "suck up" to House Transportation Chair JoAn Wood. The lawmakers also respond to increasingly strong criticism over their lengthening stay in the Capitol annex.

Week Thirteen

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Governor Butch Otter's push for additional road funding hit another bump this week after the House voted against a two cent fuel tax increase. By Friday, lawmakers handed him a small victory by voting to authorize $82 million in highway bonds. The discussion also touches on the controversy over personnel cuts, as JFAC continues to adjust budgets. Host Thanh Tan is joined on set by regular contributors Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman Review. Special guests are Rep. Cliff Bayer, House Minority Leader John Rusche, and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis.

After the Show: Week Thirteen

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Panel members Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell, Rep. Cliff Bayer, House Minority Leader John Rusche, and Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis discuss a liquor license quota bill that is inching its way closer to passage in the House, Speaker Denney's decision to pull his Voter ID bill, how a noteworthy financial disclosure measure is being held "hostage," the passage of a bill to increase Fish and Game fees for non-state residents, and a spirited debate over editorials from around the state.

Week Twelve

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

Gov. Butch Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little sit down with Thanh Tan for their first joint interview. The two leaders discuss how their partnership is working out, Little's role in developing relations with the legislative branch, the struggle to pass a substantial road funding bill in the House, the possibility of the Senate amending any fuel tax bills that may come its way, and state employee personnel cuts. Gov. Otter says he now supports a 5% cut, with 3% to be decided by agency directors and 2% to be possibly "triggered" for distribution now or later (if the economy improves).

After the Show: Week Twelve

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:30:00 MST

House Majority Caucus Chair Ken Roberts and House Asst. Minority Leader James Ruchti join Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell, and Thanh Tan for analysis of the governor and lieutenant governor's interview. They also discuss the unprecedented passage of a daycare legislation bill headed to the full House, the tragic loss of a senator's spouse, and editorials written by papers across the state about sovereignty, cupcakes, and the possibility of closing Democratic caucus meetings.

Week Eleven

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:30:00 MST

This week's show comes on the heels of JFAC's precedent-shattering decision to cut public education funding by $109 million. The panel discusses Superintendent Tom Luna's reaction to the reductions, Democratic anger over a provision in the budget holdback, and House battles over proposals to scrap bus transportation/field trip funding and to freeze teacher salaries. The group also talks about the stalled effort to pass daycare legislation in the House. Host Thanh Tan is joined on set by regular contributors Dr. Jim Weatherby and Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review. Special guests are Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner, House Education Chair Bob Nonini, and House Minority Caucus Chair Bill Killen.

After the Show: Week Eleven

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:30:00 MST

Is Gov. Otter's patience is wearing thin on transportation issues? Also: a House bill to increase the fuel tax by two cents for one year, JFAC's decision to grant $82 million in bonding authority for Connecting Idaho road projects, the passage of a liquor license bill that would lift the current quota system, and an impending decision on state employee salaries. At the end, the group reacts to an editorial on the governor's performance, and places bets on the session's "going home issues" and sine die dates.

Week Ten

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 21:30:00 MST

Week ten of the Legislature was a crucial one for Gov. Butch Otter's transportation agenda. On Thursday the House dealt a major blow to his proposal to increase the fuel tax to fund road repairs, defeating HB 246 by a decisive vote of 23-47. Despite the loss, the governor says he refuses to give up and is working with lawmakers to push a similar bill in the coming days. For insight into this statewide issue, host Thanh Tan is joined by a panel that includes: Dr. Jim Weatherby, Betsy Russell of the Spokesman-Review, Senate Transportation Chair John McGee, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke and House Minority Leader John Rusche.