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C.L. “Butch” Otter has been a fixture of Idaho politics since 1973 when he was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives.Otter was elected to his third-consecutive term as governor on Nov. 4, 2014. He was elected to his second term as Idaho governor on Nov. 2, 2010. Otter first became Idaho's governor on Nov. 7, 2006.Gov. Otter was at the helm during the peak of the Great Recession and it was his administration that oversaw the cutting of the state budget, record unemployment, and a boom in the number of people using government assistance.Otter spoke with StateImpact Idaho back in 2012 about that recession and its lasting impact on Idaho's workforce.Governor Otter: Every Generation Deals with Joblessness and We Live Through ItA Brief BiographyOtter, a Republican, is the longest serving lieutenant governor of Idaho, his tenure spanned from 1987-2000. In 2000 he was then elected to the United States Congress and served until 2006.According to the Washington Post, Otter voted with his party most of the time, 86 percent, but has been known to have an independent streak on some issues.“He was among three Republicans in the House to vote against the USA Patriot Act in 2001 and he later sponsored a bill to repeal parts of it. But independent streaks are sometimes tolerated in a state that would rather not be told what to do by the federal government.” - William Yardley, New York TimesOtter was born on May 3, 1942 in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended St. Teresa’s Academy in Boise and graduated from Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1967.After college, Otter joined the Idaho National Guard and served in the 116th Armored Calvary until 1973.Butch Otter is married to his second wife, Lori. He has four children and several grandchildren.

Eight Years Of Education In Six

Imagine graduating high school with two years of college already under your belt. That’s the intention of a bill passed Monday by Idaho’s House Education Committee. It’s called the eight in six program. Students could get eight years of education in six, and the state would pay for up to eight extra classes a year for students who participate. Most of those classes would be online. Bill sponsor Steven Thayn, a Republican from Emmet brought his daughter Carly to testify. Carly Thayn, a high school junior, told the committee she’s already taken several online classes to get ahead:

Carly Thayn “This summer I will have to take three online classes and do my senior project to meet all of my graduation requirements. I will be finished with high school a year earlier and I will plan to attend a community college in our area.”

The committee passed the eight in six plan unanimously. Members say it would help more Idaho students go on to college. The legislation now goes to the full house for consideration.

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