Boise, ID – Idaho may see more money for state programs like education this year. That’s one prediction from lawmakers as the state gears up for the 2012 legislature which starts next week. But not everyone is optimistic.
Idaho Governor Butch Otter faced a room full of reporters Thursday to lay out his predications for the legislature. He starts by saying state revenues have been down for the past few months.
Butch Otter “And the sales tax has been the one that has faltered the most. So that would suggest to us that the economy is not as robust as we had earlier projected.”
Otter says those disappointing revenues have made the state economist revise projections downward. For the past two years Otter took flack from critics for encouraging law makers to budget even lower than those official projections. Revenues for 2011 came in close to where the state economist placed them. That meant a $60 million surplus and the money was used to backfill cuts especially to education.
Others at the capitol are more optimistic than the governor. Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill says the economy is slowly getting better:
Brent Hill “I hope and think that we have seen the end of additional cuts. And hopefully we’ll actually see some restoration of some of the vital programs particularly public education.”
Governor Otter recently told us restoring funds to schools would be a top priority for him this year. However in Thursday’s remarks, the governor didn’t mention education until a reporter asked him.
Butch Otter “I have not relieved myself of my commitment to make sure that the last money taken will be the first money replaced and that was education.”
Otter then turns away to take another question. But before the reporter finishes asking it the governor interrupts and turns back to finish his thought on education:
Butch Otter “Within our ability to do so. Let me put it that way.”
Otter won’t say specifically what he plans for education. He says he’ll reveal that Monday at his State of the State address.