Gov. Butch Otter hasn't "backed away" from the budget compromise on state employee pay cuts he sent to lawmakers yesterday morning, his budget chief told every state lawmaker in an email this morning. "Don't believe everything you hear being whispered in the hallway," Wayne Hammon wrote in the email, which is pasted below. Also in the email: A link to the front-page Idaho Statesman story by Brian Murphy this morning that tells how Otter made the offer, it was embraced by Senate leaders and legislative budget writers, but House GOP leaders are balking. Hammon told Eye on Boise, "There had to be a starting point - we put that out as a starting point. It's not a take-it-or-leave-it kind of deal." He said, "If they can come up with something better, that's great." Both parties in the House are scheduled to caucus on the issue this morning.

Here's this morning's email:

from    Wayne Hammon <wayne.hammon@dfm.idaho.gov>
to    Wayne Hammon <wayne.hammon@dfm.idaho.gov>
date    Thu, Apr 2, 2009 at 9:19 AM
subject    Governor's Budget Plan - day 2
    
Good Morning,
I am forwarding to each of you a copy of the article written by Brian Murphy for today’s edition of the Idaho Statesman.
Some have stated that the Governor has “backed away” from this proposal.  Don’t believe everything you hear being whispered in the hallway.
The best way to find out what the Governor thinks is to speak with the Governor, not a member of the legislature.  If you have questions on his position, he is only a phone call away.
Thanks,
Wayne

 

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