>> COMING UP, 105 LAWMAKERS AND A GOVERNOR WILL SPEND THE NEXT THREE MONTHS SHING THEIR PRIORITIES AND TRYING TO RIGHT THE SHIP OF STATE.

AND THEY'RE IN BRAND NEW QUARTERS, WILL IT SHED LIGHT ON THE PROCESS OR CREATE NEW HIDING PLACES?

WE'L L TALK ABOUT IT AND HEAR WHAT YOU NEXEN ON "DIALOGUE".

STAY TUNED.

>> ON PUBLIC RADIO AND THE WORLDWIDE WEB WITH FOOTBALL SEASON WINDING DOWN, IT'S TIME FOR THE POLITICAL GAMES TO BEGIN.

THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE CONVENES ON JANUARY 11TH, AND IT'S ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR.

COMBINE THAT WITH A DIRE BUDGET SITUATION AND YOU'VE GOT PLENTY OF FODDER FOR JOURNALISTS AND POLITICAL SCIENTISTS ALIKE.

SEVERAL OF THE BEST IN OUR STATE JOIN ME TODAY TO ANALYZE THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND TAKE YOUR PHONE CALLS.

BETSY RUSSELL IS THE IDAHO POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, A NEWSPAPER IN SPOKANE.

WELCOME.

INTO THANKS.

>> DR.

GARY MONCRIEF IS A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND OUR OWN THANH TAN IS THE PRODUCER AND HOST OF IDAHO REPORTS, THE LONGEST-RUNNING LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM IN OUR STATE.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON "DIALOGUE!"

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW, THE STATEHOUSE IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE AND VERNOR SHOULD TACKLE THIS YEAR, AND HOW SHOULD THEY DO IT?

GIVES YOU A CALL TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-973-9800.

FIRST, TO ALL OF YOU, THERE IS NO PRESENT WITHOUT A PAST.

I WOULD LIKE TO DO A QUICK ROUND ROBIN AND ASK YOU WHAT YOU THINK THE TOP POLITICAL STORY IN IDAHO FOR 2009 WAS THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR.

>> I THINK IT WAS GOVERNOR OTTER'S FAILURE TO PUSH WHAT HE MADE HIS TOP PRIORITY AND THAT WAS INCREASING REVENUE TO MAINTAIN ROADS AROUND THE STATE, AND ALL THE MANY THINGS THAT THAT FAILURE LOAD IT, INCLUDING HUGE DIVISIONS AMONG REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND EVEN LEADING IN PART TO KEITH DECIDING TO CHALLENGE HIM, RUNNING AS DEMOCRAT, LEADING TO THE FIRING OF THE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR AND A VERY NASTY LAWSUIT THAT IS BRINGING OUT ALL KINDS OF SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THINGS GOING ON IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

THAT TO ME WAS THE TOP STORY.

>> PROFESSOR MONCRIEF.

>> THE OBVIOUS THING FOR ME WAS THE RECESSION.

THE BUDGET DROVE THE WHOLE SESSION, INCLUDING THE FACT IT MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE THOUSAND COME UP WITH ANYTHING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO GO ALONG WITH ON THE BUDGET.

>> AND THE EFFECT OF THE STIMEDZ AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WHAT CONGRESS DECIDED AND THIS DEBATE IT CREATED IN THE LEGISLATURE HERE IN WHAT IS THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT THIS SESSION.

>> AND PLUGGED THE GAP AS WELL, A LITTLE BIT LAST YEAR, AND WE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HAVE ALL THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN.

WE HAD ONE VIEWER WRITE IN ON OUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT.

SHARON FISHER FELL THE STORY LAST YEAR THE STORY WAS A SCHISM BETWEEN THE TEA-BAG MOVEMENT.

THEY WILL HAVE A RALLY SOON AT THE STATE HOUSE.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ABOUT THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT?

>> I THINK THAT THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT CAN'T BE ENTIRELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THING SOME WAYS IT IS AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTE, AT LEAST SOME ELEMENTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD LIKE TO GET ITS ARMS AROUND BUT AT THIS POINT I'M NOT SURE THE TEA PARTY GROUP IS REALLY PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AT ALL.

>> IS IT HAVING AN IF HE CAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY AND IT IS GOING TO DRIVE A NUMBER OF THE CONTESTS IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, I THINK.

>> LET'S GET RIGHT TO BUSINESS AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY IN AN ASSOCIATED "ASSOCIATED PRESS" BRIEF, TODAY.

GOVERNOR OTTER ANNOUNCED AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD MAINTENANCE IN THE BUDGET BUT ANNOUNCED ANOTHER HOLD BACK FOR THE 2010 BUDGET WHICH WE'RE CURRENTLY FWHA.

IN.

WHAT WAS YOUR SENSE?

2% THE LAWMAKERS WANT?

>> THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF TALK ABOUT 2%, SOMEWHERE AROUND $48 MILLION.

WHEN GOVERNOR DID HIS HOLD BACK IN DECEMBER HE LEFT THE 21 MILLION AS A SHORT FALL YET TO BE ADDRESSED AND AT THAT TIME HE SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO DIFFERENT WAYS TO FIND SAVINGS OR TAP BUDGET RESERVES BUT FLEET QUESTION OPEN SOME OF ABOUT 2% WOULD NOBODY THAT CHANGE.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME CHANGES IN THE NUMBERS SINCE THEN.

THE 51 MILLION SHANK TO 36 OR 39 MILLION AND NOW THERE IS TALK IT WILL GROW ON THE LATEST REVENUE NUMBERS SO COULD BE 2%, COULD BE A LITTLE MORE OR A LITTLE LESS.

>> I ASSUME, I WAS THERE, ONE OF THE TAKE AWAYS FOR ME WAS THAT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE ITS LOCHS ALONG LUMPS ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> WE HAVE TO BACK UP AND LOOK AT THE WHOLE PERSPECTIVE HERE AT THIS POINT.

SINCE THE FISCAL YEAR 2009 WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 12% CUT LAST YEAR AND ANOTHER 6% HOLD BACK AND NOW ANOTHER 2% HOLD BACK.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 18 OR 19% LESS MONEY THAN THERE WAS TWO YEARS AGO IN THE FISCAL YEAR '09 BUDGE SOCIETY AT SOME POINT I THINK PUBLIC IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO HOLD IT HARMLESS.

>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE KEEP POINTING OUT THAT EDUCATION ALREADY TAKES UP MORE THAN 50% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND AT THIS POINT THERE IS NOWHERE TOLLS CUT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HEALTH AND WELFARE AND CORRECTIONS WHICH WE CAN'T CUT FROM THOSE BUDGETS AT THIS POINT SO EDUCATION IS THE ONLY PLACE THEY CAN LOOK.

>> THEY CAN CUT BUT RELEASING PRISONERS IS PROBABLY NOT ON THE DOCKET.

THERE IS AN INTERESTING PROPOSAL IF THEY DO HAVE EDUCATION, PART OF THE HOLD BACK, THEY COULD BORROW AGAINST THEIR 2011 -- >> THIS WAS PROPOSAL THAT WAS MADE BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR AND TODAY THE GOVERNOR SAID HE ENDORSES THAT APPROACH AND THE SIDE IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL HOLD BACKS THEY WILL NOT DO WHAT THEY DID?

SEPTEMBER, THEY WOULDN'T PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY DRAWING OUT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET RESERVE FUND AND INSTEAD THEY WOULD HIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT CUT CUTBACKS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BUT DISTRICTS THIS DIDN'T HAVE RESERVE, THEY COULD BORROW BUT WOULD HAVE TO PAY IT BACK FROM WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE GOTTEN FROM THE STATE FROM THE BUDGET, PAY IT BACK FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO THE RESERVE FUND.

>> SEVERAL OF THEM SAID ARE THEY GOING TO DO IN A.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED THERE ARE SO MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY HAD 20 DECLARE FINANCIAL EMERGENCY, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TO LOAN THEM FROM THE RESERVE FOUND THAT WHAT ELSE FUND.

>> WHAT ELSE DID YOU TAKE AWAY.

>> THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THROUGH THESE ISSUES AND TALK ABOUT IT BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS SO THEY HAVE THEIR HOMEWORK DONE.

>> THIS LEVEL OF CONSULTATION WA UNPRECEDENTED, AND I GUESS I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS OR ISN'T BUT IT IS CERTAINLY MORE THAN HAS HAPPENED IN RECENT YEARS AND THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THE LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE ANNOYED AT THE GOVERNOR FOR DEPARTING FROM THE DIRECTION THEY WANTED TO GO IN SO MAYBE HE REACH THE OUT REACHED OUT MORE TO THEM THIS YEAR, LESS CLASHES BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS OF HIS OWN PARTY BECAUSE THEY STARTED TALKING BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE BEGAN.

>> AND THEY SAY THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, THE '11 BUDGET, WILL ESSENTIALLY BE NO CHANGE.

>> FLAT.

>> YEAH, FLAT FROM WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN THIS YEAR, MINUS THE HOLD BACKS.

SO IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE A SPARE BUDGET IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

>> I THINK THE MESSAGE THERE WAS IF THERE IS A BILL THAT HAS AN ADDITIONAL COST ATTACHED TO IT, DON'T EVEN BOTHER.

IT IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL, BASICALLY INTO WE'RE HEARING THAT FROM A LOT OF STATES.

LEGISLATE YOU ARES ACROSS THE COUNTRIES ARE SAYING IT IS GOING NOWHERE THIS YEAR.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS THIS THAT IS A NO-GROWTH BUDGET THIS YEAR.

BUT NO GROWTH FROM WHAT.

HE SAID FROM WHERE WE END UP ON JUNE 30, THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SOFTER ALL THE HOLD BACKS THAT HAPPEN WOULD BE PERMANENT AND WOULD STAY AT THAT LEVEL.

>> VIEWERS WERE TALKING ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT'S ABOUT TO START.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR PIECE 6 LEGISLATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PASSED?

HOW DO YOU THINK THE LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR SHOULD WORK TOGETHER.

ANY OTHER ISSUE YOU HAVE, GIVES YOU A CALL, 1-800-973-9800.

SO WHO STANDS TO BE HURT THE MOST BY THE 2% HOLD BACK?

WE HEARD TODAY FROM THE HIGHER EDUCATION, FROM THE PRESIDENTS OF TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THEY WERE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T CUT ANY MORE TUITION, IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO UP.

>> THE LAST HOLD BACK ALL THEY WILL IT WAS 4% OVERALL, GOVERNOR CUT VARYING AMOUNTS FROM DIN AGENCIES SO SOME ONLY LOST 2%, SOME LOST 7.5%, SOME LOST EVEN MORE SO THE WINS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN CUT THE MOST ARE HURT THE MOST BY TAKING MORE OUT.

PLUS, JUST THE FACT HOW LATE THIS HOLD BACK WILL HAPPEN.

WE'RE HATCH WAY THROUGH THE YEAR, -- HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, HALF THE MONEY OR MORE IS SPENT SO TO TAKE MORE OFF WHAT THE ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS IT WILL HAVE TWICE THE IMPACT.

>> TALK ABOUT CUTS, TALK ABOUT ADDITIONAL REVENUE COMING IN DO YOU SEE PROMISE OF ANY TAX INCREASE OF ANY SORT OR CHANGING TAX EXEMPTIONS.

>> THE ONLY WAY THAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A YEAR LIKE THIS IS IF THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE LEAD ON.

IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE LEGISLATURE, PARTICULARLY TALKING ABOUT SALES EXEMPTIONS, TAKING SALES EXEMPTIONS OFF THE PLACES WHERE WE HAVE THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT AND BE FORCEFUL AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

>> WE HEARD THE IDEA FLOATING AROUND TO MAYBE INCREASE INCOME TAXES FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT THE GOVERNOR MADE IT CLEAR THERE IS NO APPETITE FOR RAISING TAXES AND I THINK LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT EXEMPTIONS, AS WELL.

>> TODAY WE HEARD FROM EVEN THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO OTHER THAN RAISING TAXES TO HELP OUR REVENUE.

>> THAT IS INTERNET SALES, FOR INSTANCE.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD GO ANYWHERE.

>> THAT IS ONE THING THEY THROUGH OUT IMMEDIATELY AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT PROME SAID PRO TEM SAID W E CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE WE ARE ONE STATE.

AND GOING BACK AND THINKING ABOUT THE TAX SHIFT WHEN WE LOWERED PROPERTY TAXES AND RAISED SALES TAXES IN 2006.

THEY TALKED ABOUT LOOKING AT EXEMPTIONS.

BUT REVENUE IS NOT REALLY WHAT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WHICH HAS A VERY LARGE MAJORITY IS TALKING ABOUT NOW.

THEY'RE TALKING CUTS, KITS AND MORE CUTS.

>> WILL THERE BE MORE STIMULUS MONEY COMING IN THAT CAN CALF SOME CAN SALVE SOME WOUNDS AT ALL?

>> IT IS POSSIBLE BUT ONE THING WE'RE HEARING FROM THE HEARING FROM THE GO VERNOR AND LEGISLATORS IS WE DON'T KNOW SO WE HAVE TO BUDGET IF WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET NOW.

>> WHICH IS THERE IS MONEY AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST PART OF FISCAL YEAR '11, RIGHT?

AT THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR IS THE FIRST PART OF FISCAL YEAR '11 AND THERE IS STIMULUS MONEY UNTIL THEN.

DIRECT AFTER THAT, WE DON'T KNOW.

>> THERE IS STIMULUS MONEY BUT IT IS ALL JUG HE HE IT IS ALL JUGGLED AROUND WHICH IS IS IN WHAT POT.

THEY WON'T COUNT ON THAT.

>> ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, EVEN WITH AN UP TO $50 MILLION GAP HERE, WE'RE DOING WITH OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> A LOT BETTER THAN OTHER STATES.

IN CALIFORNIA TODAY, GOVERNOR SWART SWART GAVE ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER GAVE THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND IT WAS BRUTAL, TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER SHORT FALL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

THAT HE HAD A $20 BILLION SHORT FALL LAST YEAR.

ARIZONA IS LOOKING AT A 30% CUT SO IT IS MUCH WORSE IN SOME PLACES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS GOOD NEWS BUT IT HELPS US COME MINUTES RATE COMISERATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE ADDED $700 MILLION WORTH OF TAX INCREASES TO COVER THEIR BUDGET SHORT FALL AND THERE WAS A PETITION GET IT ON THE BALLOT AS AN INITIATIVE AND THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN TWO WEEKS.

IF THEY LOSE THAT 7 $700 MILLION, THEY ARE IN BIG TROUBLE IN OREGON.

>> AND IDAHO IS CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED TO HAVE A BUDGET AND YOU ASKED ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO SAID HE HAS DRAWN A LINE IN THE SAND, THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE CUTS TO EDUCATION BUT THE GOVERNOR SAID TOM IS DOING HIS JOB BUT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> AND WE TALK ABOUT THE STIMULUS AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE STATES WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION, GOVERNOR OTTER SAYS HE IS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO SUE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER PROVISIONS IN THE HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT AND SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO PLUMP UP THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEFENSE FUND FOR THESE MATTERS TO $2 MILLION.

IT SITS AT 300,000 NOW.

>> THAT WAS ACTUALLY ATTORNEYS, SOME REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN OTHER STATES RAISED THIS ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO AND I THINK GOVERNOR OTTER HAS GOTTEN ON BOARD WITH THAT AT THIS POINT.

>> BEING AN ELECTION YEAR, IT IS GOING TO AFFECT WHAT HE DOES WITH THAT BECAUSE GROUPS LIKE AARP SAYS SERVING SHORT SIGHTED WITHOUT THE FEDS COMING OUT WITH MORE DETLS ABOUT WHAT LEGISLATION IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

>> THEY ASKED HIM ABOUT OPTING OUT TODAY.

>> HE MADE INTERESTING COMMENTS ON THAT TODAY WHEN HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT, HE SAID HE DOW JONES NEWSWIRES FEEL HE DON'T FEEL LIKE HE GUPPED THE GUN SAYING HE WAS GOING TO SUE AND YOU FELT LIKE MAKING HIS THREAT EARLY HE COULD INFLUENCE THE NEGOTIATIONS IN CONFERENCE AND MAKE IT MOD PALATABLE TO HIM.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT HOW TERRIBLE IT WAS AND ARM TWISTING AND HE WOULD STOP IT IF HE HAD TO GO TO COURT INTO I WENT TO THE >> I WENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S PANEL YESTERDAY AND IF IT WAS INTERESTING, THEY WERE SAYING WE HAVE MONEY TO LEND, WHICH WAS INTERESTING.

THE BANKS NOT SO MUCH, THEY ARE HIGHLY REGULATE NORTH DAKOTA AND SKIDDISHED NOW AND SKIDDISH BUT THEY'RE NOT SEEING ENOUGH GOOD IDEAS, WHICH WAS FASCINATING.

THERE IS MONEY OUT THERE AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAKE A CLEARING HOUSE SO MALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES CAN FIND OUT 2004 GET THE WHERE THEY CAN GET THIS MONEY.

THEY WERE FUNDING OUTSIDE 6 IDAHO WITH THIS EQUITY.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

ANY OTHER BILLS OTHER THAN DEALING WITH THE BUDGET?

THERE ARE ALWAYS BILLS AND THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR TO PEOPLE WANT TO CARRY LEGISLATION.

>> I THINK WE WILL SEE ALL KINDS OF LEGISLATION ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

THERE ARE SOME ISSUES LEGISLATORS CARRY DPLY ABOUT OR CONSTITUENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS CARE ABOUT.

ONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT TIGHTENING UP IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PLAN PROPOSE LEGISLATION ON THAT.

THERE IS TALK ABOUT LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, ONE IN BOIES WHICH HAVING TO DO WITH THE STREET CAR, MAYBE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT.

WILL HAS BEEN TALK ABOUT ANIMAL CRUELTY, LOCAL OPTION TAXES, MAYBE DELAYING THE NEXT INCREMENT OF THE GROCERY TAX CRIT INCREASE BECAUSE THAT COULD BE A BUDGET ISSUE.

HOSPITALS AND HOW THEY BORROW.

THERE ARE ALL THESE ISSUES THAT ARE ALWAYS OUT THERE AND BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR THERE MAY WELL BE SOME POLITICAL OR SOCIAL ISSUES THAT BRING ARE SPRING UP BECAUSE EVERY SEASON THE LEGISLATURE IS UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR AS IS THE GOVERNOR AND EVERY STATEWIDE OFFICIAL AND THEY NEED TO SCORE SOME POLITICAL POINTS IF THEY WANT TO GET REELECTED SO WE WILL SEE THAT FOR POLITICAL IF HE CAN, INCLUDING EFFECT, INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF A BIG TAX CUT.

THEY ARE SAYING IT WON'T PASS BUT IT SHOULD BE LIVELY DISCUSSION.

>> ONE OF THE DRAFTERS OF THAT, THE LEGISLATOR WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THAT SAID THEY MAY TWEAK IT BUT IT COULD BE REPEALING EXEMPTION AND CUTTING CORPORATION INCOME TAXES.

INTERESTING TO SEE IF THAT GOES ANYWHERE.

>> AND WHILE GOVERNOR OTTER DID NOT MAKE A CLEAR STATEMENT ON THIS ISSUE HE SEEMED TO INDICATE HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT CUTS CUTS IN CORPORATE TACKS TAXES, THIS THEY NEED ALL THE INCOME THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU KNOW ABOUT OUT THERE?

CERTAINLY DON'T TEXT WHILE YOU DRIVE.

>> OR DO IT ALL NOW.

GET IT ALL OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO BE ILLEGAL.

>> I'M NOT SURE ANYONE IS NOT SPONSORING THAT BILL.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

THEY'RE PROBABLY TEXTING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.

>> WE KNOW THEY WANT TO GET IT OUT QUICKLY.

THE SPEAKER KEEPS SAYING THIS SHOULD BE A SHORT SESSION.

>> THE OTHER THING IS THE INCOME LEGISLATORS, I THINK THAT BILL WILL BE BACK THIS YEAR AND TENTION ACTUALLY HAS CHANCE TO PASS THIS YEAR.

I THINK IOWA IS ONE OF ONLY TWO STATES YOU DON'T HAVE TO DECLARE THAT PUBLICLY, MICHIGAN IS THE OTHER STATE AT THIS POINT SO MAYBE THAT IS A BILL WHOSE TIME HAS COME.

>> I HEAR THE SPEAKER TALKING TO ANOTHER REPORTER ABOUT THAT TODAY AND SAID HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT LAW IS EVEN NECESSARY AND IN A LOT OF WAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH TEETH AND DOESN'T BELIEVE IN TRIES TO PASSION A BILL TO SATISFY A NATIONAL SURVEY OR GROUP.

>> LAST YEAR THE SPEAKER SINGLE HANDEDLY STOPPED IT FROM PASSING AND SAID AFTER THAT HE WAS WILLING TO LET IT PROCEED NEXT YEAR AND INTERESTING THAT THAT IS NOW CHANGING.

>> I WONDER IF THEY WILL PASS A BILL LIMITING THE SESSION TO 90 DAYS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT I THINK WE HAVE A PHONE CALL.

ANGELA IN EAGLE, GO AHEAD.

>> I'M DISTURBED THE CRITICISM GOVERNOR OTTER IS RECEIVE ON HOLD BACKS BECAUSE WE ALL NEED TO DO OUT PARTS, EVERY DEPARTMENT, EVERY PERSON, BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID THE SITUATION CALIFORNIA IS IN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> AND THE REPUBLICANS DID ADDRESS THIS TODAY, SAYING THEY HAVE A BEEN TO TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS SAYING WE'RE MAKING MAJOR CUTS IN OUR PERSONAL BUDGETS AND STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THE SAME.

>> I'M NOT SURE THE GOVERNOR IS RECEIVING CRITICISM FOR DISCUSSING HOLD BACKS.

THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IS PUSHING HARDER FOR HOLD BACKS THAN THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT RESTORED CAPITAL AND TWO NEW WINGS AND I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT TWO QUICK SOUND BYTES, DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THOSE TWO WINGS WHICH INCLUDE NEW MEETING ROOMS, OFFICES FOR LAWMAKERS.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THE WINGS WAS ALWAYS TO EXPAND HEARING ROOM CAPACITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AND I THINK WE'VE DONE THAT MARVELOUSLY.

AND THE SECOND THING WAS FOR TRY TO HAVE THE TRANSITION BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL AND THIS, THESE NEW WINGS TO BE AS UNIFORM AS POSSIBLE IN STYLE AND DECOR.

AND I THINK THAT THEY'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT MARVELOUSLY.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO WALK BACK AND FORTH AND KNOW WHERE THE TRANSITION ACTUALLY STARTS.

IT'S GOING TO ENHANCE AND I THINK IMPROVE THE ABILITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE VERY, VERY PERFORM PUBLIC PROCESS.

>> I'M REFERRING TO THOSE UNDERGROUND, THOSE HIDDEN WINGS, THAT AS FAR AS I CAN SEE WILL PROVIDE PRIVATE OFFICE SPACE FOR THE EAGLES OF ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPROVE THE LEGISLATION IN MY MIND, AND I CERTAINLY -- THEY'RE HERE 90 DAYS A YEAR, THAT IS $100 MILLION OF DEBT.

THEY BORROWED MONEY IN ORDER TO BUILD THOSE LITTLE INDIVIDUAL PALACES AND I WOULD JUST SAY TO YOU THAT THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION, ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, K-12.

>> THOUGHTS ON EITHER OF THESE TWO GENTLEMEN'S OF VIEWS.

ONE, MORE OPENNESS WILL HAPPEN, THE OTHER MORE PLACES TO HIDE.

EVERY LAWMAKER DOES HAVE AN OFFICE NOW WHEN THEY DIDN'T BEFORE.

>> BUT IT'S TRUE THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM IN THE STATE CAPITAL PREVIOUSLY FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC MEETINGS THERE WAS PUBLIC POLICY BEING MADE IT COMMITTEE HEARINGS WHERE DOZENS OF PEOPLE WERE JAMMED INTO THE ROOM, ELBOWING EACH OTHER IN THE DOOR WAY, STANDING OUT IN THE HALL, CRANING THEIR NECKS TRYING TO HEAR AND THEY ACTUALLY BUILT LARGE -- >> WE HAVE FOOTAGE ACTUALLY.

>> THEY ARE IN THOSE NEW WINGS.

THEY ARE IN THE BASEMENT.

THAT IS WHAT'S THERE.

THE MAJORITY OF THE WINGS I THINK ARE TAKEN UP WITH NEW PUBLIC HEARING ROOMS.

AND THERE ARE OFFICES FOR EVERY LEGISLATOR.

GOVERNOR ANDREASON IS RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

>> AND THE DEBT?

>> THEY INCREASED CIGARETTE TACK TO PAY OFF THESE BONDS SO THIS IS NOT -- I SUPPOSE THEY COULD HAVE INCREASED CIGARETTE TAXES TO PAY INCREASES FOR HIGHER ED BUT THIS WAS FROM SOME TIME AGO.

>> I WOULD GE, AGREE, THE TIMING IS UNFORTUNATE, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE 56 RECESSION BUT THIS DECISION WAS MADE MANY YEARS AGO NOW WHEN IT WAS PUT TOGETHER AND I AGREE WITH BETSY, I THINK THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED MORE MEETING SPACE FOR THE COMMITTEES, AND IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE HOUSE SIDE, AT LEAST.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE SENATE OFFICES BUT THE HOUSE OFFICES AREN'T ANY GREAT PLUSH CASTLES, THEY ARE BASICALLY -- >> CUBICLES INTO CUBICLES.

THEY ARE CUBICLES THAT LOOK LOOK THE CUBICLES YOU WOULD SEE IN A STOCK BROKER'S OFFICE.

>> THE QUESTION IS URGES BUSINESS USED TO BE DONE ON THE FLOOR, PEOPLE TALKED ON THE FLOOR AND NOW THEY ARE TALKING IN PRIVATE OFFICES.

ALL THE ROOMS THAT USED TO BE MEETING ROOMS ARE NOW LOUNGES AND OTHER CLOSED-DOOR MEETING ROOMS.

HOW MUCH WILL BE HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

>> I THINK IT WILL REMAIN TO BE SEEN.

THIS IS THE SESSION YOU GET TO WATCH AND SEE HOW IT AFFECTS THE DYNAMICS IN THE STATE HOUSE.

I THINK JUST WALKING THROUGH THAT BUILDING NOW THERE IS SUCH A REGAL FEELING ABOUT IT THERE IS ALMOST AN AIR OF CIVILITY THERE SO I WONDER IF THAT IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE A LITTLE NICER TO EACH OTHER.

>> THERE IS AN INTERESTING POINT BECAUSE THERE IS A CAFETERIA NOW AND IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN VERY CIVIL TO ONE ANOTHER AND HAVEN'T TALKED TO ONE ANOTHER WILL INTERACT AT THIS POINT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION IN MY MIND, I AGREE WITH YOU, FIRST OF ALL.

I COMPED THE LEGISLATURE MANY, MANY YEARS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF MEETINGS ROOMS THAT WERE TOO CRAMPED.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY I WANT TO GO BACK AND HOST "IDAHO REPORTS" BUT I DO GET AN ADDITIONAL SENSE OF EXCITEMENT IN THE CAPITAL NOW.

BUT IN SOME RESPECTS SOME MEETING ROOMS FEEL LIKE COURTROOMS TO ME WHERE THE LAWMAKERS ARE UP ON HIGH AND THE PUBLIC IS DOWN BELOW AND IT USED TO BE THAT YOU WERE ALL AROUND THE TABLE ANDING THAT, YOU KNOW, LAWMAKER LEANED BACK IN A CREEKY CHAIR AND COULD BANG INTO YOU AND I HAD TO LEAN MY MICROPHONE OVER THE TABLE AND EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME, AND THERE IS SOMETHING INTIMATE ABOUT THAT AND THERE SEEMS MORE DISTANCE NOW BETWEEN OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PEOPLE IN THESE ROOMS.

>> THERE IS THE POTENTIAL CREATED BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE, THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN'S OFFICES NOW ARE THROUGH A BACK DOOR OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING ROOM AND THERE IS CONTROLLED ACCESS IN SOME WAYS TO WHERE THOSE OFFICES ARE.

SO A CHAIRMAN CAN COME OUT, PRESIDE OVER A MEETING AND SNEAK THROUGH HIS PRIVATE DOOR AND NOBODY CAN GET TO HIM.

YOU COULDN'T DO THAT IN THE OLD CAPITAL.

IT IS POSSIBLE WITH THE PLACES TO HIDE, THEY ARE LESS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

I HOPE THAT IS NOT THE CASE, I HOPE THEY INVITE THE PUBLIC IN.

>> AND LESS ACCESSIBLE TO LOBBYISTS SO MAYBE THAT IS GOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE SHOWN THE PICTURE BUT THE LOBBYIST OFFICE IS IN AN OLD VAULT.

SOME MAY SAY THAT IS APROPOS BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH MONEY, IT IS IN THE VAULT.

IT IS INTERESTING HOW THEY MADE USE OF OLD SPACES, AS WELL.

I WONDER IF THE INVESTIGATION GO LONGER BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE -- IF THE SESSION WILL GO LONGER IN THE SPACE BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE COMFORTABLE.

>> I WANT THEM OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS THEY CAN GET OUT OF THERE THIS YEAR.

WE HAD THAT REALLY LONG SESSION LAST YEAR AND WE NEED GOOD 68-DAY SESSION LIKE WE'VE HAD TWICE IN THIS DECADE BECAUSE THAT WOULD SAFE SAVE MILLIONS FROM LAST YEAR.

FROM THE BUDGET, GETTING THEM OUT FAST IS A GOOD THING.

>> WE WRAP UP AND TALK ABOUT THIS IN THE WEB EXTRA BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF KEITH A LRED'S ANNOUNCEMENT HE MIGHT RUN WILL AFFECT THE GOVERNOR?

>> HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS AND HE DIDN'T SAY MUCH, HE SAID ANYONE CAN RUN WHO WANTS TO, BASSCALLY.

I THINK THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

I'M USED TO SEEING KEITH ALDRED AS A LOBBYIST FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

HE WOULD COME UP WITH DECISIONS BASED ON CONSENSUS.

AND THE GOVERNOR KNOWS WHO HE IS AND IS AWARE OF SOME POLICIES HE PUSHED SO MAYBE THAT WILL INFLUENCE HOW HE GOVERNS SOMEHOW BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS LIKELY, THOUGH.

BETSY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IN.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID HE IS FOCUSED ON MONDAY AND ON THE SESSION AND ON THE BUDGET AND STATE OF THE STATE.

AND HE HASN'T EVEN FORMALLY ANNOUNCED HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN AND I THINK HE IS GOING TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO SEPARATE THE TWO AND TALK SET AT THE SAME TIME HE IS THE GOVERN SORE RATHER THAN CAMPAIGNING HE CAN BE THE GOVERNOR AFTERNOON THAT AND THAT BENEFITS IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> DESCRIBE TO OUR VIEWERS, "IDAHO REPORTS" AND THE CHANGES YOU MADE AND HOW EXCITING THE PROGRAM IS.

>> SURE.

"IDAHO REPORTS" IS EXTENDED TO 60 MINUTES, ONE CONTINUOUS SHOW, TALKING TO LAWMAKERS AND WHAT HAPPENS THIS WEEK AND ACROSS THE SPECK TRICK, SPECTRUM, OPINIONS FROM CITIZENS, MODERATE REPUBLICAN, CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN, MODERATE DEMOCRAT AND INDEPENDENCE IT IS INTERESTING, SHOT AT A COFFEE HOUSE.

WE WILL HAVE OUR ANALYSIS SECTION, FEATURES BETSY RUSSELL AND PEOPLE LIKE DR.

GARY MONCRIEF.

MORE TIME TO DELVE INTO THE ISSUES AND GIVE PEOPLE MORE MEANING TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CAPITAL.

>> I KNOW ALL OF US AROUND THIS TABLE WILL BE WATCHING SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU ON THAT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MANY PROGRAMS WE HAVE THAT EXPLORES THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAPITAL COVERAGE THIS WEEK, THE REDEDICATION OF THE CAPITAL, STATE OF THE STATE, IDAHO REPORTS, IDAHO LEGISLATURE LIVE, EVERY DAY STREAMED ON OUR WEBSITE.

MORE DMFTION GO TO OUR WEBSITE, IDAHOPTV.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO THIS EDITION OF "DIALOGUE".

WE HOPE YOU WILL TUNE IN SAME TIME NEXT WEEK.