Quotes from the 2009 session
May 8, 2009
"It's kind of like the song: you don't always get what you want, and this is a good example of that.
" -- Senate Transportation Committee chair John McGee (R-Caldwell), on the bill to shift ISP and state parks off the highway fund and on to the general fund, to give transportation a few more dollars. The measure passed the Senate 24 to 7.
May 8, 2009
"Mr. Speaker, I can't tell you how happy I am to second that motion.
" -- House Minority Leader John Rusche (D-Lewiston), on the motion to adjourn sine die.
May 7, 2009
"I guess it's one of those times that you have to trust what the task force is going to do." -- House Ways & Means chair Rich Wills (R-Glenns Ferry), on a going-home bill that sets up a task force to find funding for state police and state parks outside the general fund.
May 6, 2009
"We kind of have a blackout of information if you haven't noticed . . . We're optimistic. There's discussions going on to bring the session to a close." -- House GOP Caucus chair Ken Roberts (R-Donnelly), after House GOP leaders met with the governor.
May 5, 2009
"It seems that it never will end
And few on the House side will bend
Though vetoes rain down
And Butch wears a frown
Still $30K a day we will spend . . ." -- Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell, awaiting the end of the 2009 Idaho legislative session.
May 5, 2009
"The Senate and the governor worked on it, but the House wasn't included . . . I think it's an issue that's not ripe on the House side yet." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denney, on his decision to unilaterally kill legislation to expand Idaho's Sunshine Law.
May 4, 2009
"I think we’re going to finish our business and go home again. At some point, we can’t pass the gas tax and that’s just pure and simple, and as long as that’s part of what has to happen for us to go home, we may be here for a long time." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denney, on the impasse between the governor and the House
May 4, 2009
"I think we’re going to finish our business and go home again. At some point, we can't pass the gas tax and that's just pure and simple, and as long as that's part of what has to happen for us to go home, we may be here for a long time." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denney, on the impasse between the governor and the House over money for roads.
May 4, 2009
"The only thing he has asked in return is, you've got to give us certainty so ITD can begin addressing this [road maintenance] backlog that's gonna kill us. . . . . We're still here working, and we'll be here until it's resolved." -- Jon Hanian, press secretary to Gov. Butch Otter, on the impasse over transportation funding.
May 1, 2009
"I think what would be insulting to the taxpayer is to continue to go through the motions . . . when there is a clear impasse. . . . We do not have the votes to move this legislation through this year." -- House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, discussing the prospects for a gas tax on IDAHO REPORTS.
May 1, 2009
"But make no mistake: The Legislature must act this year to bring stability and predictability to the budgeting process with a reliable new source of revenue." -- Gov. Butch Otter, about the need for more money for roads.
April 30, 2009
"This isn't about policy any more . . . this is about personalities. It's about who's going to have the power in this relationship. That's not good government." -- House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti (D-Pocatello), commenting on the impasse over transportation funding between the House and the Senate and Governor.
April 29, 2009
"We didn't make any progress yet today . . . We'll continue to, as a Senate, stay here and work on the legislative agenda, and look forward to continuing to work with them on their return." -- Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis (R-Idaho Falls), upon hearing that the House is planning to adjourn sine die today.
April 29, 2009
"I'm very sad to be part of the first legislature to cut funding for our public school system . . . We're doing something that we've never done before, and we're leaving our kids behind." -- Senate Minority Leader Kate Kelly (D-Boise), in debate on the public school appropriation bill.
April 29, 2009
"Our children are important and they deserve the best, and of all budgets that we have set for every agency, education got the best. . . . This is not being driven by this legislature, this is being driven by the economy." -- Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis (R-Idaho Falls), in debate on the public school appropriation bill.
April 29, 2009
"See 'ya' later. Gone home! Sincerely - Best Wishes, The House" -- a House quipster, in a note a representative dispatched by House Speaker Lawerence Denney posted on the Senate majority leadership office door after the House adjourned sine die around 9 p.m.
April 28, 2009
"You can only stick to your guns for so long until you shoot yourself in the foot. One step closer and the co-chair gets it." -- JFAC co-chair Maxine Bell (R-Jerome), alluding to the Mel Brooks movie, Blazing Saddles, to make a point. Bell has apparently decided she would support a gas tax increase to end the session.
April 27, 2009
"Does anyone remember a paralysis of Idaho government like this? . . . . It's like they're playing chicken." -- Sen. Diane Bilyeu (D-Pocatello), commenting on the stalemate between Gov. Butch Otter and House Republicans over transportation funding.
April 27, 2009
"I'm not sure leaving on Wednesday is a good idea, since my sense is the Senate will call us back. . . . I do think it's a little bit of a power struggle, that's my sense - some pretty big egos involved. I just hope the Senate hangs in there." -- Rep. Bill Killen (D-Boise), on House GOP plans to adjourn on Wednesday, regardless of what the Senate does.
April 24, 2009
"Governor Otter has made a strong statement and we respect his convictions. But we also think the good Governor should respect the thoughts and convictions of the majority of House members . . . The state and local road departments have available more than $1.1 billion - yes, BILLION - during a time when the Legislature has been forced to cut back on many other programs and services that are important to Idahoans.
" -- House GOP leaders, In a statement issued Friday.
April 23, 2009
"I'm encouraged that they're hatching a plan. Whether this is the plan, I don't know. It's encouraging to see that their creative juices are flowing . . . As hard as it is to be patient, I think the Senate has to be patient and welcome a proposal when it comes from the House, instead of trying to develop that proposal from this side." -- Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes (R-Soda Springs), on the House's latest transportation proposals.
April 22, 2009
"Truly yesterday we thought we had a way forward . . . We were starting to shop that around when he vetoed those bills - and the talk stopped. I would hope that he wouldn't veto any more bills, and that we can start talking again." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denney, discussing compromise proposals to remove the ethanol exemption, raise DMV fees, and boost the fuel tax with an economic trigger.
April 22, 2009
"The cattle are lowin', the alfalfa needs mowin', the weeds are all showin' - but the Legislature is still goin'." -- Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-Bone), reciting a cowboy poem written to honor the 101st day of the legislative session.
April 21, 2009
"Mr. Speaker, I hope that the next 100 days go faster than the first 100 days." -- House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, (R-Donnelly), noting the legislative session’s 100th day.
April 21, 2009
"We are still in negotiations with the governor to see what we might still be able to do to increase the revenue for transportation, and the negotiations are ongoing." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denney,, discussing the lopsided 15 to 55 defeat of the gas tax bill by the House.
April 21, 2009
"I think the public ought to start calling the Legislature tonight and say, ‘Pass those transportation bills and get out of town.'" -- Gov. Butch Otter, at an afternoon press conference during which he vetoed more appropriation bills.
April 20, 2009
"I tried to be diplomatic and respectful of the Legislature and its deliberations with the actions I took earlier today . . . . Let me say unequivocally that I do not intend to call a special session of the Legislature because I am not going to let this session end until this legitimate and proper role of government is addressed in the manner it deserves." -- Gov. Butch Otter, after vetoing eight appropriation bills.
April 20, 2009
"I don't think we have the sentiment to override the governor's veto, so those [vetoed budget bills] will be referred back to the committee . . . I think we'll try to amend HB 96 [bill to eliminate the tax exemption for ethanol] and see how that goes on the other side." -- Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes (R-Soda Springs), responding to the Governor's veto of 8 appropriation bills.
April 17, 2009
"We are getting very close to having an amendment ready to go. I really think the Senate's going to pass something." -- Senate Transportation chair John McGee, on Senate attempts to raise money for transportation, which is being touted as the going-home bill.
April 17, 2009
"They need to go through the gyrations that this house went through for the last two years. . . . We don't have a vote yet on what the Senate's willing to do on transportation." -- House GOP Caucus chair Ken Roberts, casting doubt on the Senate's plans to raise money for transportation by attaching an amendment to the ethanol bill.
April 16, 2009
"They're walking a very thin line. The ethanol bill is a good bill. They could end up with nothing." -- House Majority Leader Mike Moyle (R-Star), admonishing the Senate not to add a gas-tax hike to a measure repealing an ethanol tax exemption.
April 16, 2009
"It's $30,000 bucks a day for them to stay in session. We're mindful that the financial clock is ticking. But there are still some substantial things to iron out." -- Jon Hanian, Gov. Otter's spokesman, suggesting that Otter won't let the House off the hook on finding money for transportation.
April 15, 2009
"Open up this market to fair competition. . . . . I don't agree . . . that it's going to change the nature of Idaho. The counties and cities still have the ability and the authority to restrict whatever happens. . . . We all talk about local control until it comes down to being able to trust local control." -- Rep. Eric Anderson (R-Priest Lake), arguing in favor of revamping Idaho's liquor license system. The bill failed in the House, 28 to 42.
April 15, 2009
"It's a can of worms, but with this new bill, it just adds more worms to the can, as far as I'm concerned . . . . Because there'll be more consumption, we're gonna have more social ills to take care of." -- Rep. Pete Nielsen (R-Mountain Home), arguing against the latest attempt to revamp Idaho's liquor license laws by ending the population-based quota system.
April 14, 2009
"As long as we're standing here demanding additional services to our constituents, as long as we're standing here demanding that those services be delivered, then we'd better stand behind the state employees that we expect to deliver 'em. And that's what this motion is intended to do." -- JFAC Co-chair Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), arguing in favor of a bill that eliminates the across-the-board 3% pay cut for state employees, but imposes a 5% general fund reduction in personnel costs, using stimulus funds to bring the effect of the cut down to 3%. The bill passed the Senate 34 to 1 and now heads to the House.
April 13, 2009
"It's still at the desk. I held it at the desk on Friday, and I'm still thinking about what I want to do with it." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denny, on the bill to expand Idaho's Sunshine Law, which passed the Senate unanimously last week.
April 10, 2009
"If we're not willing to pay ourselves, why are we willing to indebt our children so that they can pay? . . . . Debt is what has gotten this country into the serious trouble that we're into today, and GARVEE is the debt that is hurting Idaho." -- House Transportation Committee chair JoAn Wood (R-Rigby), arguing against the bill to issue $82 million in highway bonds next year.
April 10, 2009
"There's nothing wrong with responsible borrowing. This state has taken on the GARVEE bonding in a responsible manner, and we set a cap . . . What greater debt could we leave our grandchildren than roads that aren't appropriate and aren't safe for our grandkids to be driving on?" -- Rep. George Eskridge (R-Dover), arguing in favor of the GARVEE bill to issue $82 million in highway bonds next year. The measure passed the House 39 to 29 and goes to the Governor.
April 9, 2009
"This doesn't build highways - this tries to fix highways that we already have . . . I would urge your support for this piddly little bill." -- Rep. Leon Smith (R-Twin Falls), arguing in favor of the bill to raise the gas tax by two cents.
April 9, 2009
"What do you think, a nickel, a dime? It's going to be added to it. . . . We lose in those conference committees, and when we lose, your taxes are going to go up. It's a terrible time. We're going to raise taxes. I agree we've got a problem; this doesn't solve the problem." -- Rep. Jim Clark (R-Hayden Lake), arguing against the gas tax increase, in part because of what the Senate might do to it. The measure failed in the House 32 to 37.
April 9, 2009
"Instead of working in the best interest of Idaho, 37 members of the House continue finding new excuses to do nothing. That is irresponsible." -- Gov. Butch Otter, responding to the House's defeat of the gas tax bill.
April 8, 2009
"Our issue all along as a committee was that a 5 percent personnel cost reduction for some agencies would be too difficult for them to handle, particularly corrections, state police, etc. . . . that they could not furlough enough days in order to meet that necessary 5 percent." -- JFAC Co-Chair Sen. Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), on his motion to reduce the personnel cuts from 5% to 3% by tapping federal stimulus money.
April 8, 2009
"Overall, we're very pleased that they have decided to let our managers manage, but we're also disappointed that they've . . . taken stimulus money to roll into ongoing costs." -- Jon Hanian, press secretary to Gov. Butch Otter, commenting on JFAC's decision to eliminate a proposed 3% across-the-board pay cut for state employees.
April 7, 2009
"This would've been a no-brainer had the economy not tanked; the original bill would've been fine. It is an exceptionally well-run department at this point in time, probably better than I've ever seen it." -- Rep. Fred Wood (R-Burley), arguing in committee in favor of an amended Fish and Game bill that only raises fees on out-of-state hunters and anglers.
April 7, 2009
"This bill is not just about wolves. It's about any dangerous animal, within which wolves would be included. We're vulnerable to junk science. . . . I am attempting to address these things with this bill." -- Rep. Phil Hart (R-Athol), arguing in favor of his bill to impose liability on those who bring dangerous animals into Idaho. The measure passed the House 46 to 24.
April 6, 2009
"I don't think we get done this week, but I think a week from Friday is definitely doable. They're starting to mow the grass, and the smell of the fresh-cut grass - you know, once people decide to go home, it goes fast." -- House Speaker Lawerence Denny, commenting on the end of the legislative session.
April 3, 2009
"I would ask you to stop funding unfunded mandates to agencies that are already stretched, and are going to be stretched even more." -- Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart (D-Boise), arguing against a bill that would require the state to compile a database of all state spending and put it on-line. The measure failed on a rare tie vote, 32-32.
April 2, 2009
"You may know based on discussion that's taken place in the hallways that there is quite a bit of controversy. . . . An agreement has been reached [with Gov. Butch Otter]." -- Senate Finance Chair Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), in debate on the first budget bill to pass the Senate, which included a 5% reduction in personnel funds and a 3% across-the-board pay cut for employees.
April 2, 2009
"The people we represent deserve to know if we have a conflict of interest as we fulfill our public duties." -- Sen. Kate Kelly (D-Boise), arguing for an expansion of Idaho's Sunshine Law, which adds personal financial disclosure requirements. The Senate voted 34-0 in favor of the measure.
April 1, 2009
"I think the press needs to be wherever they want to be whenever they want to be, except of course in our caucus." -- Rep. Lenore Barrett (R-Challis), drawing laughter during debate on a bill to revise the Idaho Open Meeting law. She opposed the changes, but the bill passed the House 59-10 and now goes to the governor.
April 1, 2009
"Add those two up and that comes pretty close to the $5.1 million that the department has been asking for, and hopefully that will keep them whole." -- Sen. Jeff Siddoway (R-Terreton), arguing that raising only non-resident hunting fees by 7.5% and cutting 5% from personnel costs will get the Fish and Game Department the money they need.
March 31, 2009
"The second article of the Idaho Constitution is very clear on the separation of powers. As the executive, I'm to do the managing. I totally reject the idea that was expressed by members of the Legislature that they do not trust the directors . . . You cannot run a government from the Legislature - the Legislature sets the policy, I execute the policy." -- Gov. Butch Otter, arguing against the Legislature's 3% across-the-board pay cuts for state workers as part of a 5% cut in personnel funding.
March 30, 2009
"Name me the pharmacist that would refuse to provide drugs for the elderly for dementia or for Alzheimer's. I don't think there are any . . . This is good legislation." -- Rep. Tom Loertscher (R-Iona), arguing in favor of the "pharmacist conscience" bill, which passed the House 48 to 21.
March 27, 2009
"We've made our schools live so close to the bone that when we got here today, we are, in essence, breaking our public school system." -- Sen. Nicole LeFavour (D-Boise), arguing against the JFAC proposal to cut pay for public school administrators and teachers. The budget committee voted 16 to 4 to approve the cuts.
March 27, 2009
"Nobody in this room put us in this situation. This situation was brought to us by the economy." -- JFAC co-chair Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), arguing in favor of approving payroll cuts for public school administrators and teachers. The budget committee voted 16 to 4 to approve the cuts.
March 27, 2009
"I think one of the telling things we learned this morning is that both the Democrats and the Republicans realized that education was not going to be held harmless. My focus was to minimize cuts to teacher pay and to minimize cuts to classroom programs. We still have over $100 million available for the next fiscal year if revenues continue to go down." -- Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna, on the historic public schools budget just approved by JFAC.
March 26, 2009
"Do you really think that cutting school funding will preserve programs and learning opportunities for our children and grandchildren?" -- Rep. Bill Killen (D-Boise), arguing against attempts to cut $8.1 million from school funding.
March 26, 2009
"We're doing the tough things we have to do. . . . In tough times, things have to be taken back." -- Rep. Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d'Alene), supporting a cut of $8.1 million from school funding next year. The House agreed, 49-20. The bill moves to the Senate.
March 25, 2009
"A monumental bill that starts the deconstruction of support for public education - I think spending 15 minutes hearing it is not unreasonable." -- House Minority Leader John Rusche (D-Lewiston), explaining why he forced the full reading of HB 256, to cut $4.1 million from reimbursements the state sends to school districts for busing.
March 25, 2009
"We've heard that this whole piece of legislation is unnecessary - I couldn't disagree more . . . We're trying to avoid deep, deep cuts to teachers' salaries." -- House Education Committee chair Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d'Alene), defending HB 256, which cuts state reimbursements to school districts for student busing costs.
March 24, 2009
"Even in those instances, we should have the right to keep our Second Amendment right and keep our arms and ammunition." -- Rep. Pete Nielsen (R-Mountain Home), on what should happen if the governor ever declares martial law. His bill, HB 229, passed Tuesday by a vote of 61-9.
March 23, 2009
"If full pay is achieved, it could cut our rate of poverty in half - that's right, in half." -- Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart (D-Boise), speaking in support of a resolution to recognize the importance of women's pay equity. The resolution drew a unanimous vote of support in the House.
March 23, 2009
"They've moved us in a direction that we can't afford to go . . . and we shoulda never went there." -- Rep. Dick Harwood (R-St. Maries), arguing in favor of his non-binding memorial to declare Idaho's sovereignty from the federal government and asking the feds to 'cease and desist' from violating Idaho's sovereignty. It passed the House 51-17.
March 20, 2009
"I'm disappointed. I didn't take on the responsibility of carrying this bill lightly. I don't understand some of the votes." -- House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke (R-Oakley), who carried the Governor's fuel tax hike on the House floor. It failed 27-43.
March 20, 2009
"I tried to tell the governor this would happen." -- House Transportation Committee chair JoAn Wood (R-Rigby), on the vote that defeated Gov. Otter's proposed fuel tax hike.
March 19, 2009
"How the heck did they not catch the mistake? It goes up for vote, and it's not right. It either has to be amended or sent back to committee. It makes people uncomfortable and unhappy and not look so well." -- House majority leader Mike Moyle (R-Star), on an $11 million error by Idaho Transportation Department in calculating how much the state would earn by raising vehicle registration fees.
March 18, 2009
"I have never in my life received so many emails as I have on this one. . . . Not a single one was anti. Therefore I would move that HJM 4 be sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation." -- Rep. Mary Lou Shepherd (D-Prichard), on a non-binding memorial declaring Idaho's sovereignty from the federal government. The measure now goes to the full House.
March 18, 2009
"When you take a look at this, when we get into a downturn like this, one of the things you don't want to do is cut off the hand that feeds you. That's why we're putting this back in." -- Rep. Darrell Bolz (R-Caldwell), voting to restore funding for 31 of the 47 temporary tax auditors laid off because of budget holdbacks. The vote in JFAC was unanimous.
March 17, 2009
"I think the goal here is to get the bill to the floor so the representatives of the state of Idaho can weigh in on the governor's revised plan that he is making to the Legislature . . . . There'll be a day in court for the governor's transportation plan." -- Rep. Ken Roberts (R-Donnelly), supporting a motion to send the governor's compromise fuel tax bill to the full House for a vote.
March 16, 2009
"Other invasive species, once they get here, you have a chance to fight them, but once the quagga mussel gets here, you've already lost the fight." -- Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow), arguing in favor of a bill to impose a fee on all boats launched in Idaho. The measure passed the House 63-5.
March 13, 2009
"The reality is that I have some discretion - with legislative concurrence - over the use of less than $45 million of the $1.2 billion that is available to Idaho . . . All I am proposing to do is what people on Main Streets and in families all over Idaho are doing - tightening their belts." -- Gov. Butch Otter, responding to criticism of his plans for the discretionary portion of the federal stimulus money.
March 12, 2009
"The committee and the governor came to the understanding that the fastest way to put the most Idahoans back to work in good-paying jobs is through programs we already have, and that there was no need to reinvent the wheel or start picking and choosing across the state." -- Wayne Hammon, Administrator, Div. of Financial Management, explaining to JFAC why the governor put the $45 million of stimulus discretionary funds into water and road projects.
March 12, 2009
"It's not our policy to interfere in family business, but it is our policy to be providing safe businesses that families will use." -- Sen. Tim Corder (R-Mountain Home), arguing for his day-care licensing bill, which passed the Senate 30-5.
March 12, 2009
"I applaud the governor in his desire to protect the infrastructure of the state; that's important. But the infrastructure of the state is not just roads. It's corrections, it's state police, it's education. We can't afford to let that infrastructure slide. We only get a chance once to educate a child in the first grade or to teach 'em to read. If we fail in that infrastructure, it'll be much more painful . . . than in roads." -- Senate Finance chairman Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), after hearing the governor's proposals for boosting road spending with the stimulus money.
March 11, 2009
"It's still good to have that rainy-day fund; it's still good to have that equalizer between what-if and what-if-not. And I'm still convinced that this thing isn't going to be over with in just one or two years." -- Gov. Butch Otter, pitching his proposed cuts to public education.
March 11, 2009
"If this passes, that's one more hand looking for a permanent hand in my wallet. It has plenty of room, but it doesn't have any money." -- Rep. Lenore Barrett (R-Challis), arguing against a proposal to allow counties to raise vehicle registration fees for road projects. The measure failed 31-39.
March 10, 2009
"My gosh, we had 35 years of institutional memory setting there. They all had holdbacks and they all had small recessions, John Evans had one of the biggest in '81-'83. Anyway, it was great." -- Gov. Butch Otter, reflecting on his first meeting with his executive stimulus committee, which included three former governors.
March 10, 2009
"I thought I did everything I could do. I've talked to every person alive, I think, in every group." -- Rep. Eric Anderson (R- Priest River), after the House Environment Committee voted to approve his quagga mussel bill, requiring every boat owner in the state to purchase a sticker to fund boat-washing efforts.
March 9, 2009
"You can be grateful I didn't sing that ["The Gambler"]. Senate Bill 1128 tells the tax commission to know when to hold, fold, walk and run." -- Sen. Brent Hill (R-Rexburg), discussing a bill that outlines new rules for the State Tax Commission's handling of settlement agreements. The measure passed the Senate unanimously.
March 9, 2009
"I called the ranch and talked to my foreman at the ranch. I told him, 'I'm governor.' And he said, 'I got a sick cow in the corn. We'll see ya.' Because there was nothing the governor could do about a sick cow in the corn." -- Lt. Governor Brad Little, reliving his six hours as acting governor when Gov. Otter underwent surgery in February.
March 6, 2009
"My answer to that's no, I don't share that. Spending billions of dollars and getting nothing from it - I think it'd deepen and lengthen and maybe even go into a depression if we failed. So for my part, I'm gonna do all I can to get as many people working . . . I think we can create a lot of jobs. A person gets a job, that whole family suddenly gains a lot of confidence. . . . I believe that's the kind of hope everybody had for the stimulus package when it was first mentioned." -- Gov. Butch Otter, on whether he agreed with Rush Limbaugh, hoping President Obama fails.
March 6, 2009
"It's going to be good for wolves, it's going to be good for elk, it's going to be good for our rural communities, because they're getting into a lot of places where they shouldn't be right now, and causing a lot of unneeded conflicts." -- Fish & Game director Cal Groen, talking to the Senate Resources Committee about the announcement that, once again, wolves will be de-listed in Idaho.
March 5, 2009
"Let me give you the Thelma and Louise scenario - this is when you're heading for a cliff, you stomp on the gas rather than pause and make adjustments." -- Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna, defending his proposal to cut $62 million from the schools budget rather than dip into the state's rainy-day fund.
March 4, 2009
"Cost to the state: $2 million. Savings to the taxpayers: $2 million. Doing the right thing: Priceless." -- Sen. Brent Hill (R-Rexburg), arguing on the Senate floor in favor of a bill to conform Idaho's tax code to a provision in the federal code dealing with non-itemizers and property taxes, even if it cost the state money.
March 4, 2009
"The time for our industry to be picked on is not now." -- Rhett Fornoff of Enterprise car rental, arguing against Gov. Otter's plan to add a 6 percent tax on rental cars. The measure died in committee on an 11-3 vote.
March 3, 2009
"Call me a turnout guy. . . . I think this bill will accomplish it. . . . I know the fiscal dilemma that we're in. . . . The 'stealth election' is what we don't want." -- Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, arguing for an election consolidation bill, which passed the House State Affairs Committee on a 14 to 4 vote.
March 2, 2009
"Here's the day you've all been waiting for. This is the first bill to come through from the governor's office and Transportation on increasing money for ITD." -- Rep. Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d'Alene), on a measure to eliminate Idaho's ethanol exemption. The full House passed the bill unanimously.
March 2, 2009
"It challenges the imagination to conjure accurate descriptions of the 'character' of this session. And 'personality'? We've all had blind dates with more personality." -- Steve Aherns, retired president of the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry, commenting on the legislative session in the Idaho Business Review.
February 27, 2009
"In all the time I've been doing this, which is about a third of a century, I've never experienced this kind of rapid change in the underlying information. It's incredible the amount to which the situation is evolving." -- Mike Ferguson, state of Idaho chief economist, on the rapidly changing economic outlook in the U.S. and Idaho.
February 26, 2009
"We want to give notice (to the beer and wine industry) that it is probably time to step up to the table and have an increase that is supported. But I don't believe this bill is the tool." -- Rep. Ken Roberts (R-Donnelly), as the House Rev & Tax Committee voted against a bill to raise the tax on beer and wine.
February 26, 2009
"This is a powerful lobby that's been lobbying us. . . . I resent having people in my district come to me and tell me they've been threatened with losing their jobs (if the bill passes). . . . I think that is unconscionable." -- Rep. JoAn Wood (R-Rigby), discussing the lobbying effort that helped torpedo the bill to raise the tax on beer and wine.
February 24, 2009
"I want to do no harm in the future . . . . We're looking at [the] $1 billion that seems to be our share; we're looking at whatever we do with that money [so that] in two years it doesn't cause an automatic general tax increase. So we want this time, number 1, to provide whatever service - whether it's education or human services . . . to the citizens, but also use that time to inform the citizens that this is going to go away in two years so start building an alternative lifestyle for the recipient of those services." -- Gov. Butch Otter, responding to a stateline.org question: What is the greatest challenge or worry in ensuring the stimulus money is well-spent in your state?
February 23, 2009
"Can it completely eliminate the $62 million in cuts? We don't know. But there's no doubt it's going to reduce those considerably. We still haven't determined if it's enough to remove the possibility of having to cut education at least some for the 2010 budget." -- Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna, speaking about the stimulus package to the Idaho Press Tribune editorial board.
February 20, 2009
"There's optimism that we'll get this thing back on track and we'll be out of here in March. I don't think so, because what's going to happen is basically we're starting the whole process over again.
" -- Sen. Russ Fulcher (R-Meridian), on why he's thinking the session will last into mid-April.
February 19, 2009
"Have you ever read in the paper about somebody with their eighth DUI, their ninth DUI, 10th DUI? This will put a stop to it. . . . It's a total shift in how we deal with these individuals." -- Rep. Jim Clark (R-Hayden Lake), discussing his bill to prohibit repeat drunk drivers from buying alcohol; the Judiciary Committee printed the measure.
February 18, 2009
"I've been working right now to have a meeting with the Secretary of the Interior on wolves. The opportunities for litigating the federal government might make us feel good, but they do little more than waste taxpayer dollars." -- Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, arguing that suing over the wolves' endangered species status is futile.
February 17, 2009
"After posting the lowest unemployment rate in the nation in 2007 . . . no state has seen as large a percentage increase in its unemployment rate as Idaho." -- State Labor Director Roger Madsen, telling JFAC about the record 50,000 Idaho workers now out of a job.
February 17, 2009
"You are going to now be faced with an interesting job, as somewhere between $600 million and a billion dollars of this bill will flow into Idaho, a lot of it flowing into programs that you administer as policy makers in the state." -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, warning state senators that the state's budget base could grow next year because of the stimulus bill.
February 16, 2009
"The difficulty we're going to have is the stimulus doesn't hit every agency. It potentially creates a problem of haves and have-nots, and I think there will be some difficulty in that regard." -- JFAC Co-chair Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), about the effects of folding federal stimulus money into Idaho's general fund budget.
February 13, 2009
"We're just going to have to wait and see. But until I've got that check in my hand and [Treasurer] Ron Crane cashes it and puts it in the bank and we see that it's good, I'm not planning to lay one foot of asphalt with money I don't have." -- Gov. Butch Otter, on the just-approved federal stimulus money coming to Idaho.
February 12, 2009
"I'm really surprised the superintendent [Tom Luna] and the House education chairman [Bob Nonini] would take this approach . . . In an economic crisis like we have right now, they're going to throw this bombshell into it. . . . What they're going to get right now is a fight on this." -- House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti (D-Pocatello), about proposed legislation that would make permanent changes in the law to allow reductions in school funding.
February 11, 2009
"If you need to whack a mule across the head with a 2-by-4 to get his attention, and all you have in your tiny, tiny toolbox is a foam-rubber shoe insert, the mule probably won't get the message." -- Rep. Lenore Barrett (R-Challis), proposing a memorial asking Congress to get wolf delisting back on track.
February 10, 2009
"Liquor sales have held . . . So it's kind of a recession-proof business, or at least recession-resistant." -- Dyke Nally, Liquor Dispensary Superintendent, explaining that while liquor sales in Idaho are up 4.7 percent over last year, it's due more to population increases and purchasing better quality products.
February 9, 2009
"A better plan than a recess is to simply complete our work and adjourn. Then, when a clearer picture of our economic situation develops, I think this is a year that perhaps a special session can be justified." -- Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes (R-Soda Springs), commenting on House Majority Leader Mike Moyle's suggestion that the legislature recess until more is known about the federal stimulus package.
February 6, 2009
"This year, there seems to be a fixation on PECF (Public Education Stabilization Fund) as being the only fund to help education. I don't think that's going to serve the population of the state. At some point we're going to need to look at how we really effectively and pragmatically use all of those funds to make sure that we maintain those critical services that the citizens really need and certainly support." -- Sen. Elliot Werk (D-Boise), speaking on "Idaho Reports: After the Show" about the need to tap into the state's three other rainy day funds, which contain approximately $300 million.
February 4, 2009
"I am absolutely amazed at the lack of bills in this committee this year. Then again, we can't do exemptions, we can't do credits, we can't do deductions. That's what this committee does, is all the giveaway stuff." -- House Revenue and Taxation Committee chair Dennis Lake (R-Blackfoot)
February 3, 2009
"We receive a lot of helpful information from lobbyists. It's convenient to get that information at a lunch or dinner. But there's a line somewhere between convenience and favors." -- Rep. Lynn Luker (R-Boise), commenting on his legislation that would lower the threshold from $75 to $35 per person per event for reporting gifts from lobbyists.
February 2, 2009
"Please notify the First Lady immediately if you see the Governor ANYWHERE near a roping arena, chainsaw, tractor, or using tools of any kind for 10 weeks!! It 'will take a village' to keep him from reinjuring his shoulder!" -- First Lady Lori Otter, in a letter to lawmakers discussing Gov. Otter's rotator cuff surgery today, after he injured his shoulder in a team roping accident three weeks ago.
January 30, 2009
"The pressure is going to continue to mount. A few of us have been through some tough years, but nothing quite like this." -- JFAC Co-Chair Sen. Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), discussing the difficult job ahead setting budgets.
January 30, 2009
"It's a little bit of a sacrifice for us senators to concur with this resolution, but it is the right thing to do." -- Sen. Bob Geddes (R-Soda Springs), as senators vote to reject a pay increase.
January 29, 2009
"I've got a nagging gut ache now because I feel like January's numbers are going to slip right out from underneath us." -- JFAC Co-Chair Sen. Dean Cameron (R-Rupert), on the possibility that the state's revenue numbers will be even more dismal than earlier forecasts.
January 29, 2009
"With the ideas that have been presented, what we've identified is as far as education can go . . . there is a point where if we cut education too far that it will have a severe impact on student achievement." -- Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Luna, explaining his proposed public schools budget.
January 28, 2009
"I don't have the luxury of counting on a one-time stimulus package. . . . For the budget here, this is ongoing teacher salaries and classroom supplies, and two years out, where are you?" -- JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell (R-Jerome), on the state's education budgets.
January 27, 2009
"I don't expect the state to do everything for everybody, but education and doctors are the primary need in the state of Idaho right now." -- State Board of Education president Milford Terrell, testifying before the Senate Education Committee.
January 27, 2009
"When the legal dropout age is 16 or 17, students and schools get the message that dropping out is a natural outcome for some students . . . . In some ways, the system encourages schools to push out troublesome or challenging children." -- Rep. Rich Jarvis (R-Meridian), on his proposal to raise the school drop-out age to 18.
January 26, 2009
"Guilty as charged . . . . It may appear a little disingenuous, but I never even thought about it." -- Lt. Gov. Brad Little, discussing a fund-raising event in his honor during the legislative session, after saying on IDAHO REPORTS that fund-raisers should not occur during the session.
January 23, 2009
"Do I miss their warm little bodies and sweet kisses? Absolutely. But I'm only here three months a year. They have added to my life, but what that does is make me work a little harder to leave them something besides socialism." -- Rep Lenore Barrett (R-Challis), on rumors that she might retire, now that she has grandchildren.
January 20, 2009
"We wouldn't have 50 recommendations if everything was working as it should work. Things that should be in place, aren't." -- Auditor Bob Thomas, discussing the Idaho Transportation Department audit before the transportation committee.
January 16, 2009
"That's not the way to get things done in the Idaho Legislature. We meet, we negotiate and we figure things out. This political grandstanding that they're engaged in isn't helping anyone." -- Sen. John McGee (R-Caldwell), angered over the Democrats' claim that the governor has put "potholes over people."
January 14, 2009
"I will apologize to Dean and Maxine and to the entire JFAC committee and to the Legislature for the characterization that we put around them putting the money back in their budget . . . . But it was just a poor choice of words and I've asked him not to use those words any more." -- Gov. Butch Otter, in an IDAHO REPORTS interview, referring to comments made by his budget director, which included "sneak" and "budget sleight-of-hand."
January 13, 2009
"We can't ask our children to repeat the second grade if they can't learn in overcrowded classrooms. We can't ask jobless people to wait to learn new skills at our colleges and vocational-technical centers. But we can wait a year or two to fix our roads and bridges." -- Rep. John Rusche (D-Lewiston), in response to Gov. Otter's proposal to raise taxes to fund road improvements while cutting education budgets.
January 12, 2009
"I also encourage you to come together in agreement that cities and counties must have the option - with the consent of voters - to provide financially for their own community infrastructure needs. If local folks in a given jurisdiction want to impose a tax on themselves, they should have the opportunity. We must not let our own views cloud our commitment to self-determination and enabling people to be the architects of their own destiny." -- Gov. Butch Otter, words deleted from his 2009 State of the State and Budget Address, published after a Statesman reporter's public records request.
January 12, 2009
"It is my intent to continue an unrelenting scrutiny of state government programs that use Idahoans’ hard-earned dollars… The question that you and I must honestly answer on every occasion is whether meeting those real needs falls within the sphere of the necessary and proper role of taxpayer-funded government services." -- Gov Butch Otter, addressing legislators in his 2009 State of the State and Budget Address.
December 5, 2008
"It will make us look very, very hard at the last 10, 15 years and expansion of government and say, 'What exactly should our role be?' It will probably ask the recipients in the past of many of the services of government to participate... in some of the government services that they're now getting for nothing." -- Gov. Butch Otter, on the effect of the economic slowdown and state budget shortfall