Gov. Otter announces cutbacks

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Story Published: Jan 12, 2009 at 6:16 PM MST

Story Updated: Jan 12, 2009 at 10:21 PM MST

By Rick Montañez

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BOISE - Gov. "Butch" Otter spoke in Boise, Monday, about the state of the state. He outlined more cutbacks and several state fee increases.

A proposed $75 million cut from the education budget comes along with 7% out of the state's general fund. Those are the results of Idaho falling into the economic decline.

"I know those of us in state government are facing the same kinds of painful, gut-wrenching choices that individuals and families all over Idaho are making with their personal finances," says Gov. "Butch" Otter.

And more of those personal finances will be impacted in the coming years. Here's why:

"Health and Welfare is down 7.5%. Higher education is down almost 10%, the Department of Correction and Water Resources each are down almost 12%. The Department of Agriculture recommendation is down more than 31%, Commerce more than 51 percent and Parks and Recreation almost 56 percent," says Gov. "Butch" Otter.

On to another crumbling infrastructure, Idaho roads.

"No other issue has dominated public discourse or my own efforts more over the past year than how to address the enormous and growing backlog of maintenance and construction needs on our system of highways and bridges," says Gov. "Butch" Otter.

To help that, otter is looking for a fuel tax increase of $0.02 a gallon in each of the next 5 years. His hope is to bring in about $88 million over the those 5 years. Also, he proposes an increase in vehicle registration fees, trying to bring in an extra $15 million in the first full year of the increase.

This year's speech is very different from last year's state of the state. Then, governor otter proposed spending $20 million to look into Idaho's aquifers to address state water issues.

He also focused much of his address on the growth in rural Idaho, including the growing meth problem. Both things that weren't mentioned this year.

Also, in comparing this year's speech to last, health care was a big concern. The governor outlined an affordable individual and family insurance package.

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