Gov. Butch Otter, who is interviewed along with Lt. Gov. Brad Little on tonight's "Idaho Reports" program on Idaho Public TV, says during the interview that he sees legislation that would allow him to fire the Idaho Transportation Department's director as "problematic." "I didn't ask for that bill," Otter told interviewer Thanh Tan. "In fact, I would tell you, I haven't even talked to Chairman (John) McGee about it, but it is problematic to do it that way."

McGee, the Senate transportation chairman, proposed the bill. "You've got to have a chain of command," Otter said. "If you sever that relationship, then you're making big mistakes. ... I understand the frustrations and I understand the reasons for it, I'm just saying that in the overall picture, from 30,000 feet, it's very problematic." You can see the full half-hour interview, which also covers transportation funding, state employee pay and other issues, tonight on Idaho Reports; it airs at 8 p.m., and re-airs Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Mountain time, 10:30 Pacific time. After it airs, the program also can be viewed online here, along with the half-hour "After the Show" discussion, which also airs on digital TV directly after the regular program. On this week's "After the Show" segment, I join BSU political scientist emeritus Jim Weatherby, House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, House Assistant Minority Leader James Ruchti, and Tan to discuss the interview and the week's legislative developments. Tune in and check it out.

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