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Governor delivers annual State of the State, Budget Address

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter delivered his fifth State of the State and Budget Address to legislators Monday on the opening of the 2013 session. His 55-minute address focused on sustaining Idaho’s recent economic growth, providing more local authority and for revisiting education reform.

Transportation, a prominent topic in recent addresses to the Legislature, was not specifically mentioned in the 2013 message, although connecting people, places and products remains an important part of the governor's drive for economic prosperity.

Gov. Otter’s budget recommendation for the coming fiscal year (FY14) calls for a 3.1 percent increase in state spending. He proposes a state budget of $2.78 billion – about $84 million more than the present budget. The proposal is based on a projected $5.27 percent growth in state revenue.

The governor calls for directing $35 million to the state’s rainy-day fund.

Click here to view a PDF of Gov. Otter’s eight-page address.

Published 1-11-2013