They follow through on the threat Wednesday by forcing the reading House Bill 310, a measure that relates to health care of the indigent. The bill is 25 pages in length.  Democrats used this tactic earlier this year to force reading of one of the education reform bills, which was also 25 pages.  That bill took an hour to read.

Rusche has crafted his own version of the bill, which would hike the tax by $1.25 per pack to $1.82.  The fiscal note on the legislation says it could generate as much as $50 million annually in new revenue for the state.

Rusche said that the money could be used to shore up funding for public education, which saw a $47 million reduction approved by the budget committee earlier this week.  “We are obligated to have a conversation about legislation that could potentially raise $50 million for the state,” Rusche said Tuesday.  “Such a policy is the fiscally-responsible thing to do.”

Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, intended to bring a similar measure this year, but abandoned the effort because he felt he doesn’t have the votes to get the measure through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

This could be costly for Democrats and the state.  The legislative session costs about $30,000 per day in staffing and travel and housing expenses for legislators.

11:00 a.m. Reading begins. Clerk decides to skip bill explanation and Rusche objects.  The speaker rules that the Idaho Constitution says clerk can skip it. Reading begins again.

11:07 a.m: Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, just moved to end reading of the bill, but Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, objected.  The reading continues.

12:01 p.m.: Reading has ended.  During debate on the bill, Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, was asked to yield to a question about the measure, but he declined to do so. That is likely the first time that has happened all year.

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, adjourned the House until 3:30 p.m. today.  He also said that lawmakers should be ready to work Saturday if Democrats continue to force reading of all bills.

3:30 p.m.: The House has convened again.  One bill was allowed voted on without full reading, but House Bill 140aaS, a seven-page measure relating to juvenile corrections, is now being read by the chief clerk of the House.  The floor sponsor of the bill Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, did not ask to skip reading, though Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, did make that request.  Rusche objected, so the bill was read at length.

3:53 p.m.: Rusche has objected to skipping reading of House Bill 183aa.  The measure is 14 pages long.  The floor sponsor is Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett.

4:24 p.m.: The chief clerk has finished reading and debate is open.

4:28 p.m.: The House moved to consider bills on the second reading calendar. Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, asked to skip reading of House Bill 298, a measure voicing opposition to the 2010 health care reforms.  Rusche again objected and an assistant to the chief clerk is now reading the legislation.

4:38 p.m.: The assistant clerk has finished reading and debate is open.  Barbieri declined to yield to a question asked by Rusche during debate.

5:34 p.m.: Rusche objected to reading of House Bill 328, a measure relating to public records requests. The bill is six pages.

The forum, hosted by Idaho Public Television, begins at 8 p.m. and runs for 90 minutes.

7:58 p.m.: All candidates are in place.  Instructions are being given to candidates and the audience.

8:oo p.m.: Debate begins.  Salary for governor position is $115,000.  Moderator is giving introductions to each of the five candidates.

Note: Official Twitter hashtag for the debate is #iddebates.

8:04 p.m.: Crosstalk is is allowed and candidates will be able to duke it out, verbally speaking.

Question 1: Why are you running?

Pro-Life: I am running to teach you the truth.  God’s judgement is pretty serious and so is government.

Dunlap: I am running to get people out.

Kemp: I want my 7-year-old to grow up in Idaho.  I am not owned by anyone.

Allred: We need to keep taxes low and provide education for kids.  We must cuts taxes to grow our economy.

Otter: I have been fiscally responsible and we are growing the economy and bringing jobs to the state. I have also pushed back on feds.

Question 2: Will you propose tax increases to shore up the budget?

Dunlap: No.  We cannot burden people more.

Kemp: No.  We need to focus on revenue we can already collect.  We must clean up the Idaho State Tax Commission.

Otter: We will probably have some shortfall and we may look at cutting government more.

Allred: I will not hike taxes.  Economy will grow in 2012.  We must keep education whole.

Pro-Life: We need to do away with some of our taxes.  I am opposed to public education.

Question 3: Is there room for more education cuts:

Allred: I will draw a line in the sand.  There were good options on the table to keep education whole.  We must fully staff the Idaho State Tax Commission. Otter’s budget was based on doom and gloom.

Kemp: I have already tried to draw the line in the sand.  There are unintended consequences for cuts.

Otter: Other candidates’ math is fuzzy. Others say we aren’t going to raise taxes but we are going to keep all budgets whole.  Three giants in budget: corrections, health care, and education.  That’s the kind of magic they are using in Washingon, D.C.

Kemp: I still cannot get access to the state budgets.

Otter: It doesn’t exist.

Kemp: We are waisting  time.

Allred: Otter is saying that we need more cuts and telling people to prepare for them.  We are ahead of budget projections, despite what Otter said.

Pro-Life: We worship public education.  It’s communist doctrine.  We are socialists because we have all been through public school.  We need to turn to God.

Dunlap: Government is far too important to leave to a government monopoly.  We must have choice in education and tax credits for any learning institutions.   We must define what we teach in schools.

Question 4: How will you make tough decisions?

Kemp: I rely on all sources to gather information.  We must engage all stakeholders in the process.  Tough decisions must be made.

Allred: Get the facts.  Consults with competing perspectives.  Make the decisions.

Otter: I confer with cabinet members.  I have history of making tough decisions in private business life.  We must also work with Legislature in the process.

Pro-Life: You can only rely on your conscience.  The conscience sees farther than intellect.  You have to follow your guiding light.

Dunlap: Central government planning has failed.  People should decide.

Question 5: Would you take more money out of reserve funds to shore up education funding?

Otter: It depends on the shortfall.  We have enough money for 2.5 years of $30 million yearly support.  Land Board money was never meant to be a slush fund.  I think it’s going to be pretty tough to get that through.

Kemp: No. I will look at corrections to find money.  We need to get rid of No Child Left Behind.  It is wasteful of teacher time.

Allred: Yes.  I think we need that money to prevent further damage to public schools.

Dunlap: We need public school choice and $5,000 tax credit for families to allow them to put their kids in whatever schools they want.

Pro-Life: We need to phase out public education.

Question 6: What would you have done different in the economy?

Pro-Life: Cut public education. We need to throw off federal regulations.

Otter: Idaho was picked to lead the nation out of recession because of our fiscal responsibility.  We must bring more businesses in.

Kemp: We need to connect businesses.  I will work through secretary of state’s office to help businesses connect.  I will work to help university research connect with corporations.

Allred: Federal money is propping up Idaho’s economy and Otter is touting that.  We must lower tax rates by closing exemptions.

Dunlap: We must cut government and let small businesses do their work.

Pro-Life: Dealing with our economy is not the proper role of government.

Otter: We are not in the business of picking winners and losers.  We want to bring businesses to the state.  We are working to empower local economies and chambers of commerce.

Kemp: Why is Idaho in the business of owning commercial property?

Allred: Yes, we are picking winners and losers in state government.  Sales tax exemptions manipulate the free market.  Let the market pick the winners and losers.  Let the market go where it wants to.

Question 7: Otter has been right about budget for three years running; where is the evidence that Otter’s latest budget is wrong?

Allred: The last three months.  We are now $14 million ahead of that rate in the last three months.  I saw us turning the corner.  It was wrong to say we would not see any revenue growth.

Pro-Life: This is getting pretty boring.  I bet people are turning on the ball game.

Allred: We are ahead!

Question 8: Does Idaho need Arizona-style immigration law?

Dunlap: We need to stop attracting illegal immigrants.  We need an open border that will allow people to come work here as they please.

Allred: There is a real immigration problem.  The federal government should not be suing states. We need to fingerprint inmates at county jails.

Kemp: Illegal is illegal. If feds cannot do immigration, we may need to.

Otter: Federal government needs to enforce law.  I would like to see immigration lawsuit with Arizona finish before finalizing law.

Pro-Life: Feds do not have jurisdiction if they do not enforce the law.

Question 9: How are past miscues an example of good customer service?

Otter: Budgets have put a damper on things.  We have opened labor offices in communities and staffed them on certain days with health and welfare employees.

Kemp: We must have effective communication.  The pattern must come to an end.

Allred: Otter wants to blame his poor performance on the economy.  His administration has failed us.  I will end Molina contract with Department of Health and  Welfare.

Pro-Life: A governor cannot do everything.  Government make mistakes.  You must base your choice on political philosophy.

Dunlap: I don’t take handouts from FEMA.

Question 10: Is Idaho failing to monitor water quality?

Pro-Life: Maybe we should look at that.  That is one of the proper roles of government.

Otter: It is an overreach. They act like we don’t care about our resources.  We used stimulus money to pay for unfunded mandates of federal government.

Allred: There are problems with Clean Water Act.  We must look at non-point source pollution management.

Dunlap: We should encourage states’ rights.  Federal government overreaches.

Question 11: How should state handle wolves?

Kemp: Otter is wrong to handle wolf management to feds.  I think he should have stayed the original course.

Allred: Otter is completely wrong on this.  We must manage our wolf populations.  The state must conduct research on the issue to be able to be as smart as we can on this issue.

Otter: We were spending more than $1 million on wolf management.  Sometimes states must say enough is enough.  Federal government hasn’t kept its promise in wolf situation.  We have met benchmarks for de-listing, but federal government wouldn’t do it.

Allred: We need to take destiny in our own hands.  We must monitor our own wolf populations.

Dunlap: Canadian wolves are monsters.  We are not going to get the answer from the federal government.

Pro-Life: Animals in Idaho belong to Idaho.

Otter: We haven’t spent that much on lawsuits against the feds.  About $10,000 in all.

Pro-Life: If the wolves were eating children, I would do something.

Question 12: Is there rationale for providing more services that what are required by Idaho Constitution?

Dunlap: We need to move back to government that we can afford.

Allred: Only education has unique requirement in Constitution.  We must do education with excellence.

Kemp: This affects everyone every day.

Otter: We must live within our means.  All of the sudden, things are starting to look a little bit better.

Pro-Life: We must turn to God to fix things.

Allred: I am the fiscal conservative in the race.  No one but you has tried to raise taxes.

Otter: This is Obama-speak. We can’t promise low taxes and fully-funded departments at this time.

Allred: We need to remove exemptions.

Question 13: Why have you been touting scholarship funds?

Otter: We have helped people get into college.

Kemp: We must work with Legislature to get more money .

Closing statements

Pro-Life: We must turn to God.  Churches are now social organizations.  We need to get churches into government. Turn to your conscience.  We must repent.  We are in big trouble. Government cannot get us out of this mess.  We need to get out of state-run mafia.

Dunlap: We need to stop central planning by government.  We have 58 boards and council of government.  Government is where it doesn’t belong.

Kemp: We must decide if we are better off now than we were four years ago.  We can’t trust Allred because he isn’t a Democrat, though he is running as one.  Don’t vote for cowboys.  Idaho needs a true champion to lead us out of the slump we are in.  We are independent.  Allred’s organization is a lobbying group.

Allred: I am proud to be an independent.  Thanks to Democrats for nominating me.  I am serious about cutting taxes.  We must find was to invest in education.  Butch Otter tried to hike taxes.  I defeated his proposals.

Otter: We are in a recession.  Idaho is not an economic island. We had to make tough choices and we did it without increasing tax burden on citizens.

The debate is set for the auditorium in the west wing of the Capitol in Boise.  Doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets to the event must have been reserved in advance.  Limited seating may be available around 7:45 p.m., when debate administrators will look to fill empty seats in the audience.

For those who cannot attend the forum in Boise, it is being broadcast live by Idaho Public Television.  Visit the station’s website for more information.

Questions will come from the crowd, as well as a panel of journalists.   Questions can be submitted to the IdahoReports Twitter feed or can be submitted in person before 7:30 p.m.  Twitter users must use the hashtag “#LunaOlson” for questions to be considered.  Not all questions will be used during the forum.

7:33 p.m.: I have taken my seat at the Senate Auditorium in the lower west wing of the Statehouse in Boise. The seats are about half full.  Democrat Stan Olson just had his picture taken, but I have yet to see Superintendent Tom Luna, the Republican in the contest.

7:38 p.m.: Luna is in the house. Panelists are taking positions and media members are trying not to trip people in the aisles with laptop cords.

7:43 p.m.: Just a reminder that the official Twitter hashtag for the debate is #LunaOlson.

7:51 p.m.: Olson is now in place. Makeup lady is ensuring he is photogenic.

7:58 p.m.: Mics are being tested.

8:00 p.m.: The debate begins.  Four panelists from various new outlets will be asking questions.  As mentioned above, some questions are from audience members and some have been submitted via Twitter.

8:02 p.m.: Host is introducing candidates and their credentials.  Some questions will be directed at certain candidates and cross-talk is allowed.

Question 1: Why are you running for this seat?

Luna: Talking about student dreams.

Olson: “We are not doing well by our children, we are not doing well by our state … it’s not good enough for the future of our state”

Question 2: Would you support tax increases to spare education cuts?

Olson: It depends.  We need stabilize all districts. We need everyone involved into the educational process and develop plan that defines Idaho’s system of education.

Luna: We need to do something about that fact that Idaho is not collecting online sales tax.  ”That money has got to be collected.”  Luna also wants Idaho State Tax Commission to be fully-staffed to provide more money for education.

Question 3: Will you go back to Land Board for more money if its needed:

Luna: “I still there’s $30 million that could have been distributed … I will shake every tree.”

Olson: “Where were 3 years ago?” Says that Luna has failed to plan spending according to the needs of the students.

Luna: From day one, we have focused revenues where they were needed the most.  We have put $100 million in new money into Idaho classrooms.  We are working to develop connections between schools in virtual learning.

Question 4: In past legislative session, would you have done anything differently?

Luna: I wish lawmakers would have followed my original budget projections.  Accuses special interests of eliminating certain education funding to preserve jobs of administrators.

Olson: What should have been done differently is that we should have worked to prevent this at an earlier time.  ”Mr. Luna was absent in that process.”

Luna: There was a plan for $500 million in rainy day funds.  Republican lawmakers are credited with wisely socking money into reserve accounts.

Olson: Federal money saved the bacon for school districts.

Question 5: Role of charter schools in public education without diluting public school funding:

Olson: Majority of charter schools are good.  There is no interface between public education and charter schools to find best educational practices.  Two school cultures clash.

Luna: Charter schools are in fact teaching public schools.  ”Charter schools make public education whole and better.”  Families need more option in education. “We have to have many, many options … a one size fits all method does not work.”

Question 6: What type of achievement tests should be in place to gauge student success?

Olson: ISAT is a low-bar assessment.  Percentile rankings of Idaho students don’t need to be that high in order for proficiency.  We need more assessments in the state.  Tests should be able to help students and teachers alike.  Calling for “item-analysis” tests.  We need to have high-bar tests.  Luna never talks about advanced achievement.  ”We are lying to our children when we tell them the ISAT will get them there.”

Luna: 26 percent of school met academic goals when I came into office, but now 62 percent are meeting objectives.  There are only eight states in which students are doing better than Idaho’s pupil in math.  Says Olson wanted to call attention to high ISAT achievement.

Olson: Accuses Luna of tweaking state education standards to achieve higher scores in school district progress reports.  ”You are talking about this from your office near the Capitol.  I am talking about this from boots on the ground.”

Question 7: Are we putting too much emphasis on standardized testing?  How else can we judge student progress?

Luna: Tests are necessary and Idaho is leading the way in creating next generation of assessments.

Olson: Portfolios are also one good way to measure student achievement.  ”It’s kind of like defending a dissertation – I’ll have to tell you about that someday.” The Boise School District also utilizes internships.  Field experience is vital.

Question 8: Would you be willing to take 10th grade ISAT tests and have made public and have your pay adjusted to your score:

Olson: I will take all sections of ISAT except for math.  I struggle with math.

Luna: “That’s because it’s difficult folks and Mr. Olson just admitted that … I think I took it some time ago … You haven’t taken the test so you don’t know the difficulty … Obviously it’s a difficult test because Mr. Olson doesn’t want to take it.”

Question 9:  Discuss how Luna’s initiatives have impacted education in Idaho.

Luna: They are having a tremendous impact.  Remediation money is helping struggling become proficient.  A very positive effect overall.

Olson:  When we ask teachers how much Luna’s initiatives have helped, they say its nice but doesn’t really affect systemic problems.  We need a new improvement model.  We need more teacher mentoring.

Luna: “We need a customer-driven education system.” More than 80,000 hours have been spent by students in their own homes doing complex math problems without being compelled to do so.

Olson: People whose boots are on the ground know that math initiative isn’t improving much.

Question 10: With low salaries for teachers, why would anyone want to teach in Idaho?

Olson: The quality of life is great in Idaho despite low teacher pay.

Luna: Average teacher makes $45,000 plus benefits.  Average worker makes $35,000 without benefits.  We lose many great, valuable teachers every year because they do not have control over how much they make.  Teachers should make more money if they are willing to teach in hard-to-fill positions.  Teachers that are willing to mentor other teachers or write curriculum ought to be awarded for their efforts.

Olson: Luna advocated for performance pay system that excluded educators in model development.  Performance pay system in Tennessee has resulted in no additional student progress.

Question 11: How will you bring merit pay system to Idaho teachers?

Luna: Union prevented merit pay system from being implemented. Union officials wanted collective bargaining pared with merit pay system.  We have to have a system that allows teachers to have more control over how much they makes.  ”It’s a plan that is ready to go … When the economy turns around we will roll it forward.”

Olson: Merit was not part of the discussion in the past.

Question 12: How can we connect Hispanic students in public education?

Luna: We have worked with Hispanic Commission to bridge achievement gap.  We have worked to identify Hispanic students and what they need in their education.

Olson: I have experience working with non-English speaking students in Boise schools system.  More than 100 languages spoken in the Boise School District.  We must tailor education system for those minorities students.

Question 13: Why does your background qualify you for the job?

Olson: I have been CEO for Boise School District which has 4,000 employees, serves 15,000 meals each day, and costs more than $360 million annually.  We are a business operation.  Our budget plan has received national recognition.

Luna: I have worked to improve education at every level longer than my opponent has lived in Idaho.  I have worked at every level to improve education.  My business background helped me find dollars for students in the classroom.  I have helped put more technology in the classroom.

Olson: We are spending our money on flashing programs instead of investing in actual education.

Luna: “Folks, we have a plan.” I have worked with stakeholders in education plan development.

Closing statements

Luna: I have reduced my pay to support education.  Olson took $175,000 and didn’t reduce that one bit during fiscal hard times.  He even had a leased car paid for by the Boise School District.  Olson also took $25,000 bonus.  He is not an advocate.

Olson: We are not doing enough for Idaho school children and we are cheating their future.  Luna does not have a strategic plan for Idaho’s public schools.

Note: IdahoReporter.com’s feature story on the forum will post Wednesday morning.

The second hearing is a result of a delayed ruling by ethics committee chairman Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, who deferred passing judgement of the second charge in the original hearing because Hart had an open case with the tax commission.

The hearing is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the lower east wing of the Idaho Capitol. Live streaming of proceedings is available here.

2:33 p.m.: Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene, and Rep. Bert Stevenson, R-Rupert, are checking into the ethics hearing via phone.  Starr Kelso, attorney for Hart, will be doing the same.  Hart is not in the Statehouse in Boise.

2:35 p.m.: Hart is with Kelso in Coeur d’Alene.

2:36 p.m.: Rep. Branden Durst, D-Boise, is also in the committee room, but only as a spectator.  Committee has given OK to minutes from last meeting, is now looking over new information of case.

2:38 p.m.: Hart’s case with the tax commission has been decided, but the Athol Republican has filed a motion to reconsider.

2:39 p.m.: Loertscher reports that tax commission has not taken issue with Hart’s use of legislative immunity.

2:40 p.m.:  Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, questions if committee can speak of Hart’s case with tax commission because the motion to reconsider has been filed.  Jaquet wondering if that constitutes an open case.  (On a side note, Jaquet is expecting a grandson today.)

2:44 p.m.: Brian Kane from attorney general’s office says there are no limits to use of legislative privilege.  ”In essence, we would be ‘Monday morning quarterbacking Hart’s actions,’” said Kane. Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, says legislators need to look at Hart’s actions.  ”We could do that if we choose to.”

2:47 p.m.: Jaquet says Hart’s action constitute disrespect for his office and tarnishes reputation of Idaho Legislature.

2:48 p.m.: Loertscher says dilemma is that Hart used his legislative immunity in proper time frames.  ”Legislative immunity is not for the protection of the individual, but rather for the protection of the constituents,” said Loertscher.

2:54 p.m.: Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, says not acting on Hart’s action sets a bad precedent for future legislators.

2:56 p.m.: Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenn Ferry, agrees with Killen, says precedent by Hart case is concerning.

2:58: p.m.: “The provision in the Constitution is absolute,” said Loertscher.  Says if ethics committee muddies the water on legislative privilege, legislators could be detained during legislative session in future years.  ”Would I personally use that? Probably not,” said Loertscher, who added that sometimes lawmakers need to use the privilege to be able to vote.

3:00 p.m.: Loertscher calling for the pleasure of the committee.   Decision to come soon.

3:01 p.m.: Sayler says because no court has defined application of privilege, he is leary of using an ethics committee to do so.

3:02 p.m.: Stevenson says he is hesitant to put sideboards on legislative privilege, but is concern with Hart’s assignment on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.  ”If we going into that area, we are not sure of what that sets up future legislators to do,” said Stevenson.

3:05 p.m.: Raybould asking if Hart wants to resign from Revenue and Tax Committee in order to put this issue to rest. Committee puts itself into recess to allow Hart and Kelso to confer about resigning from tax committee.  Panel will resume at 3:20 p.m.

3:13 p.m.: Jaquet announces the arrival of a grandson in California!

3:19 p.m.: Meeting is back in order.  Kelso says Hart hasn’t actually violated Idaho Constitution with his actions. Hart says he will not resign from House Revenue and Taxation Committee.  Hart plans to speak with Idaho speaker of the House and members of Revenue and Taxation Committee about ethics complaint.

3:28 p.m.: Raybould motions that committee find Hart not guilty of abusing legislative privilege. Loertscher says that proper motion is to dismiss ethics complaint.  Seconded by Wills.

3:30 p.m.: Kane: “You don’t have five rights of free speech a year. It’s difficult to quantify an upper or lower limit on its use.”

3:31 p.m.: Ethics panel clear Hart on abuse of legislative privilege on a count of 5-2.

3:32 p.m.: Raybould recommends that the speaker remove Hart from Revenue and Taxation Committee.

3:33 p.m.: Panel votes 7-0 to recommend that Idaho Speaker of House Lawerence Denney remove Hart from House Revenue and Taxation Committee.

3:34 p.m.: Jaquet brings up why Hart hasn’t had legislative salary garnished.  Loertscher says that topic is off-limits for  ethics panel.

3:37 p.m.: Committee is adjourned.  Jeff Youtz of legislative services will draft letter to Denney to recommend Hart’s removal.   Story to come on IdahoReporter.com.

Here is a link to watch the event: http://www.ktvb.com/z_test/KTVBCOM-Live-Flash-Video-66482807.html

Dr. Jim Weatherby, a professor emeritus at Boise State University, will be the moderators for Wednesday’s debate.

City Club of Boise official says that certain candidates were excluded because they didn’t meet certain requirements.  There was controversy around that decision because club officials actually decided to exclude all candidates except Otter and Allred, and then set the criteria for inclusion in debate. Read about that here.

12:25 p.m.: After lengthy introduction, Dr. Weatherby is now at podium.  Each candidate will have 5 minute opening statement. They will have 90 seconds to respond to questions.  Clapping will not be allowed during meat of the debate, but is acceptable at beginning and end of event.  Candidate’s wives now getting props from Weatherby.

12:28 p.m.: Otter’s opening statement starting now. “Economic landscape of Idaho …. has changed dramatically,” says Otter.  Again boasting tough decisions made during his time in office.  Otter says Idaho has had great successes.  Boasting about computer service company coming to Twin Falls to fill in Dell call center leaving.  Otter says business owner loved Idaho’s balanced budget, hence the reason he brought his business to Idaho.

12:33: Allred’s opening statement starting now. “We are living in a time when people are deeply frustrated,” says Allred.  Talking about his work with The Common Interest,  a lobbying group professing to about about center-of-the-road solutions in government.  Allred wants to provide thorough education while keeping taxes low.  Allred continues to pound the idea of closing sales tax exemptions that “just don’t make sense.”  Says education helps provide equality in the world today.

12:38: First question – Do you support a proper investigative panel of Idaho State Tax Commission, accused of cutting special deals be eight tax auditors?

Otter: I do support proper investigation.  Talks about tax commission making rules to properly handle tax deals.  Says tax commission is doing what it needs to do to take care of the problem.

Allred: Accuses Otter of giving special interests special treatment.  ”I think we need to have equal treatment before the law on tax policy,” said Allred.  Says Otter has under-funded and under-staffed Idaho Tax Commission.

12:42: Question 2: Do we need more road funding and if so, how do we get it?

Allred: Increasing road funding is not necessary.  We shouldn’t be jacking up gas taxes for Idaho families.  Wants truckers to pay more for the wear and tear the put on the roads.

Otter: Of 66,000 miles in the state, a lot are deteriorating.  ”Not only are highways not as good as my opponent says they are, but we have 4,000 bridges, half of which have met the design usefulness requirements.”

12:45: Question 3: Do you support the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation as a free-standing department?

Otter: “We never intended to shut down one park.  We just wanted a business plan.”

Allred: “You zeroed-out parks funding in your last budget.  Don’t you call that dismantling?”  We have made certain agreements that must be fulfilled concerning parks.

12:47: Question 4: What does your opponent do better than you?

Allred: Otter is good with meeting with people, but nothing actually happens on the other end.

Otter: Impressed with Keith’s credentials.  Says Allred’s past work as professor is nice, but very theoretical and doesn’t show leadership.

12:50: Question 5: Do you support Mike Simpson’s CIEDRA plan for Idaho’s wilderness?

Otter: No, I do not.  It’s already protected.  ”I believe Idaho should be for Idahoans.”

Allred: “I absolutely support Boulder-White Clouds bills,” says Allred.  If we put protections in place, my kids will be able to enjoy it down the road.

12:53: Question 6: What are your top two priorities in luring businesses to the state?

Allred: We need to lower tax rates and provide thorough education.  Republicans want to lower taxes, while Democrats want good education, and Allred believes the state can do both. Says correction and health and welfare shouldn’t cloud Idaho budget.

Otter: Businesses want low taxes and certainty from state government.  They also want workforce development.  We have put a lot of emphasis on community colleges.

12:56: Question 7: When will education funding be restored?

Otter: It all depends on growth of economy. Cuts were painful.  It was painful to be first governor that cut education.

Allred: All governors except Otter have managed to keep Idaho education whole.  There were better options than to cut education funding. “We have let tax deadbeats steal textbooks from Idaho’s school children,” said Allred.

12:58: Question 8: What exemptions should be cut?

Allred: Ski resorts don’t pay sales taxes on equipment they buy, while golf courses do.  Why? “The ski resorts had a better lobbyist than the golf course,” said Allred.  We should also look at Internet sales tax.

Otter: If you’re looking for big money, then you have to get rid of big exemptions.  You would have to increase taxes on farmers, entrepreneurs, and producers.

1:01: Question 9: Who should we believe on Idaho’s economic future: state’s top economist or Idaho Legislature?

Otter: Mike Ferguson’s job is very tough. He has been right as many times as he has been wrong.  Says budget projections are a moving target.

Allred: Otter has been wrong and budgeted only on doom and gloom, not evidence.  We are $4.5 million ahead in fiscal year’s budget.

1:04: Question 10: What is role of private and public education in Idaho?

Allred: Idaho has done worst by public education.  We are no longer making college or prof-tech education affordable to people in the state.

Otter: We’ve done an awful lot, but could we do more? I suppose with more resources, we could do more.

1:07: Question 11: Are you happy with education cuts while suing the federal government?

Otter: We haven’t spent that much on lawsuits against Idaho government.  We shouldn’t have to beg Washington, D.C, for permission to do certain things.

Allred: Otter promised to get fed government of states’ backs during his time in Congress.  Otter believes in federal judges. We protect Idaho is to solve problems by ourselves.

1:12 p.m.: Question 12: Are we feeling effects of slumping education funding?

Allred: States that have done the best through economic downturn have invested more in education.

Otter: I continue to be mystified that you can promise to boost funding for government departments while keeping taxes lows.  Would you send your kids to school in NYC or DC, which have some of the most expensive districts in the nation?  They have lowest-scoring students in nation while spending the most.

1:15: Question 13: Should nuclear projects go forward without proven way to dispose of waste?

Otter: Arriva plant shows that we are on the forefront of nuclear energy renaissance.

Allred: If Arriva keeps its promises, we should have no problem.

1:17: Question 14: What will you due to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and increase investment in renewable energy?

Allred: We need smarter grid.

Otter: We are leaders in renewable energy.  We still have base needs and we need to have a larger base.

1:17: Question 15: Where does Gov. Otter stand on 17th Amendment?

Otter: Idahoans should elect their U.S. senators.  10th Amendment is the important measure.

Allred: Idahoans can and should elect their U.S. senators.  I am a staunch defender of the 17th Amendment.

1:22 p.m.: Allred closing statement:  We need broad and diverse support in government.  Leadership that can bring Idahoans together and reduce tax burdens on families is what the state needs. We can continue the work for creating a more-perfect union, for and by the people.

1:24 p.m.: Otter closing statement: I took promises to push back on federal government very seriously. We can be architects of our own destiny.  You can’t operate a state on theory, you have to operate a state on real decisions.

Palin is connected to Ward through his work for the campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during his 2008 presidential run.  Palin was brought to national prominence when McCain chose her to be his running mate.  Ward was the Nevada state director for the duo’s campaign efforts there.  Palin endorsed Ward in March of this year.

Tracy said that Palin’s itinerary is too full to take time for reporters.  ”Unfortunately we don’t have time for that,” said Tracy.  Palin’s visit will feature three events: a photo opportunity, which costs $1,000 per person, a VIP reception with Palin, $250 a person, and a rally in the Qwest Arena, which costs those 18 and older $10 per person.  The photo opportunity and the reception will be held in SportsZone, which is near the arena.

Ward is squaring off with state Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, in the May 25 Republican primary.  The winner of that contest will face Democratic incumbent Walt Minnick in Idaho’s 1^st Congressional District in the November general election.

O’Barto also received the blame for a mishap involving Ward’s website in which it was found that Ward’s policy positions were taken, with minimal changes, from the websites of other Republican congressmen.

Ward said that he accepted O’Barto’s resignation with reluctance.  It has been confirmed that Mike Tracy, a local media consultant and former aide to Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, will step in to serve as Ward’s new communication director.  Al Henderson, who managed Craig’s Senate run in 1990, will step in as Ward’s new campaign manager.

Ward faces off with state Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, on May 25 in the Republican primary election.  Whoever wins that contest will face Democratic incumbent Walt Minnick in Idaho’s 1^st Congressional District in November’s general election.

Winfrey’s show today will discuss the dangers of cell phone use while driving.  The episode will be shown at viewing rallies in large cities across the country, but no rallies are scheduled in Idaho.  Winfrey’s website also has a “no phone zone” pledge page, where hundreds of thousands of people have clicked saying they won’t text while driving, will use a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving, or will pull over to talk on a phone while driving.

Idaho lawmakers did not pass a texting while driving ban earlier this year.  Talking on a cell phone is also legal in Idaho.  Six states, including Oregon and Washington, prohibit handheld cell phone use while driving, and 23 states have texting bans, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, which is also backing the “No Phone Zone Day.”

Read ITD’s full news release below.

Make a commitment to focus on the road ahead and put your cell phone away while driving.

The Idaho Transportation Department joins forces with the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios to fight distracted driving during “No Phone Zone Day” Friday (April 30).

Digital message signs along Idaho highways will carry the safety message, “Driving/texting? Hang up. Arrive alive.”

Cell phones and texting are two of many distractions that drivers might experience when operating a motor vehicle. Distraction or inattention is a contributing cause of about one out of five motor vehicle crashes in Idaho, according to ITD statistics.

A special live episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” devoted to dangers associated with cell phone use and texting while driving, will be featured at viewing rallies in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

GHSA Chairman Vernon Betkey has personally taken the “No Phone Zone” pledge and will participate in the Washington, D.C., rally.

“GHSA has always supported a multifaceted approach to combating distracted driving. While state legislation and enforcement are both critical factors, education efforts are also important,” Betkey said. “And what better person to raise public awareness than Oprah Winfrey?”

“As a society, we need to make cell phone use while driving as unacceptable as drunk driving,” he added.

Otter has a campaign event with former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani planned for Tuesday evening.  An official with Otter’s campaign said the event, which includes a $1,000-a-plate dinner, will still happen, though the governor may not be able to attend.

UPDATE: The governor’s office released the following statement from Lori Otter Tuesday evening: “The governor and I want to express our thanks to all the folks who have sent us their kind thoughts and well wishes. As many hands as we shake, it was just a matter of time before he picked up a bug. He ran a high fever for a few days and became severely dehydrated, so he has been on fluids and antibiotics. He is now feeling better and we look forward to him heading home tomorrow.”

“Idahoans should be especially wary of door-to-door insurance sales, requests for immediate purchase of ‘limited enrollment’ federal health policies and other high-pressure sales tactics,” DOI Director Bill Deal said in the news release.  According to the department, Medicare officials will not show up at anyone’s door unannounced, and some con artists are illegally trying to sell phony “ObamaCare” insurance policies.

Read IdahoReporter.com‘s first story on the DOI’s warnings about insurance scams here.  The full DOI news release is below.

Beware of Scams Related to Health Insurance Reform

The Idaho Department of Insurance continues to receive information from industry and media sources across the nation that scam artists may be attempting to defraud consumers about the federal health insurance reforms.

Reports indicate that fake agents and sales people are posing as federal government employees and going door-to-door peddling phony health insurance policies. Elderly consumers are prime targets for these scams.

Department Director Bill Deal says, “Idahoans should be especially wary of door-to-door insurance sales, requests for immediate purchase of “limited enrollment” federal health policies and other high-pressure sales tactics.”

The Department has established a new page on their Web site, www.doi.idaho.gov,  that provides information and links about the health reform bill including a timeline of events. Consumers can view a list of frequently asked questions and submit their own questions from this page.

The Department offers the following tips to help consumers protect themselves from scams:

• Be leery of people who show up at your door unsolicited. Representatives from Medicare will never visit your home or make a call to you unless you request it.
• Health insurance policies are issued by companies and not through legislation. An “ObamaCare” insurance policy is bogus.
• Legitimate insurance agents should not pressure you or rush you into signing anything. They should not object to someone else being present during a sales pitch.
• Never give out personal information to strangers.

Always verify that an agent and company are licensed to do business in Idaho by calling the Department at 334-4250 in Boise or 800-721-3272 toll-free statewide, or by visiting the Web site, www.doi.idaho.gov.