11/18/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Two months before the 2010 Legislature, the
session's bitter tenor is already set: Public education is almost
certain to be slashed for a second year and some state agencies now
scrimping to get by could be eliminated altogether.

Gov. C.L. ``Butch'' Otter Wednesday also ruled out an income tax
increase, including a hike on those earning more than $50,000
suggested last week by one minority Democrat.

Otter told the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho annual conference
in Boise, ``I'm resisting the effort to start class warfare.''

In 2010, Otter is considering privatizing some services, could
sell Idaho government-owned real estate and may eliminate entire
agencies and departments, if that's what it takes to save money.

House Speaker Lawerence Denney also had bad news for education
advocates: Balancing the 2011 state budget won't be possible
without additional cuts in schools.


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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