Butch Otter in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
State government should never grow as fast as our economy
I'd like to talk with you about the proper role of government in terms of the next generation--not just the next election--in order to build a more responsible, sustainable and inclusive future. We all want an Idaho where government wisely uses the
people's resources to provide the public services and infrastructure needed for our citizens' safety, health and security. And as other institutions & states struggle and often fail to find fiscal balance, we all understand that our responsibilities must
be met within the people's means. I hope you share my commitment to ensuring that our State government never grows as fast as our economy and the people's ability to pay for it. So with that as a starting point, I am submitting a budget recommendation
today calling for a 3.1% increase in General Fund spending. That reflects slow but steady growth in our economy--an estimated 5.3% revenue increase for fiscal year 2014. It also reflects great uncertainty due to irresponsible federal leadership.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Budget & Economy:
Great Recession shows need for building Rainy Day accounts
It is with our future in mind that my budget recommendation for fiscal 2014 builds on the great work you have already done in starting to refill our rainy day accounts. As you know, we are putting a total of almost $71 million in the Budget and
Public Education stabilization funds by the end of this fiscal year. For next year I'm calling for that effort to continue as a hedge against national and global economic and fiscal uncertainty. The Great Recession showed us beyond any doubt the
value of maintaining a healthy financial reserve. As much as any other factor, it set Idaho apart from most other states in response to tough times.
We must exercise foresight and frugality while working to sustain and grow our economy. Building up our rainy day funds provides the kind of budget stability that Idaho taxpayers need and expect.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Corporations:
Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission: state plus business
Neither government nor business alone can provide all the ingredients necessary for progress. We must leverage our limited resources toward realizing unlimited opportunities together. That's the idea behind IGEM--the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission.
You will hear much more about its work as the IGEM Council reports to the germane House and Senate committees. But I can tell you that never before have our three research universities worked together more collaboratively or been more committed to
finding common ground and mutual benefit with our business leaders. Together with the Idaho National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies--and given time and our sustained support--they will nurture a rising tide of economic activity
that will lift all our boats. I'm issuing a challenge to Idaho businesses: Make it a priority to invest here at home. Join Premier Technology and others in devoting a greater percentage of your supply-chain purchases to Idaho vendors.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Crime:
$70M for secure mental health facility at state prison
More than a quarter of the inmates in our State prison system have some level of mental illness. Many can be housed safely within appropriate settings in our existing facilities. But others need higher levels of care, more treatment and more
intensive intervention for their own safety and that of others. That's why I support the Department of Correction's request for permission to issue $70 million in bonds for a 579-bed secure mental health facility at the prison complex south of Boise.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Education:
No major school improvement measures, just progress
My highest priority remains public schools. You will find that my budget recommendation includes increased funding for K-12 education. However, I do NOT seek to simply revisit issues related to school improvement that were raised in the recent election.
Instead, I've asked the State Board of Education to assemble a broad cross-section of stakeholders to study the message voters sent us and identify elements of school improvement on which there is broad agreement. I'm convinced that acting too quickly or
without due deliberation will generate needless distraction from our goals of improving efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in our education system. Let me say it again: I am neither calling for nor expecting major school
improvement measures this year. But I believe there are areas in which we can make progress, and I encourage you and all citizens to engage in that public discussion. It's our very best chance to strengthen the foundation of our future.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Energy & Oil:
Get all nuclear waste out of Idaho by 2035
I am as committed as ever to enforcing the terms of our 1995 agreement with the federal government to get all nuclear waste out of Idaho by 2035. But the Yucca Mountain facility in Nevada may never open, leaving fulfillment
of the agreement at the mercy of the feds' failure to secure a permanent waste repository. That leaves the matter of preparing for an uncertain future to us.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Environment:
Endangered Species Act creates federal-state conflict
We need look no further than the Endangered Species Act to see the essential conflict between federal and state priorities--especially when it comes to our natural resources. Even putting aside wolves and grizzly bears, there's no doubt that the threat
of federal edicts on sagegrouse, slickspot peppergrass, woodland caribou and other species have a profound impact not only on public policy here in Idaho but also on how our farmers, ranchers and others can pursue their livelihoods.
We are working proactively to avoid worst-case scenarios and to assert our rights as a state.However, this past year we reaped the whirlwind sown by federal neglect and mismanagement of our public lands. Wildfire suppression costs alone
approached a quarter-billion dollars--not counting huge impacts on the environment, public health, property, and the unrealized benefits of healthy, actively managed forests and rangeland.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Health Care:
State-based health exchange, not federal one-size-fits-all
[I recently decided] to pursue a state-based health insurance exchange rather than defaulting to total federal control of that process. Rejecting the opportunity to assert ourselves will result in an unresponsive, one-size-fits-all federal exchange
wreaking havoc on some of America's most reasonable costs of coverage. At its core, this is a matter of state's rights. You all know how I feel about Obamacare. I will continue encouraging and supporting efforts by our Idaho congressional delegation and
many others to repeal and replace the law. But the fact remains that for now and for the foreseeable future it is the law. And as responsible elected officials we're sworn to uphold the rule of law--not just those laws that we support.
So I urge you to look beyond the important work of changing a misguided federal law to the essential task at hand--preserving for Idaho citizens the option of having a voice in how one element of that law is implemented.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
On Jobs:
Hire One Act: income tax credit for creating new jobs
There's an investment that Idaho taxpayers are making in job creation. It's called the Hire One Act. We'll soon see how many employers took advantage of the income tax credit it provides for creating new jobs as those businesses start filing their 2012
tax returns. But a number of companies already have told us that the terms and conditions of qualifying for that incentive are too complex and onerous to be the useful tool we'd hoped in economic development. So I'm bringing you legislation this year to
address those concerns and reflect our changing conditions and needs. It simplifies, clarifies and streamlines the law so that our local and state economic development experts can maximize its potential for growing our workforce and our tax base.
In addition, my new Hire One More Employee or HOME Act recognizes the special needs and our special responsibility to veterans--our State agencies are working together to focus public attention and address the problem through the Hire One Hero program.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018