Gov. Butch Otter met today with the co-chairs of JFAC and with GOP leaders from the House and Senate, and "we had a meeting of the minds today," said Jon Hanian, Otter's spokesman. "It was a productive meeting, and we're hopeful." The discussion today covered the budget issues in the big final budget bill that the Senate passed yesterday, but the House killed today, as well as transportation funding issues. "He wants, and more importantly the people of Idaho want a reliable, safe transportation system, and one that addresses the ongoing backlog of maintenance," Hanian said. "He wants to provide a stable funding source for this. That was part of the discussion."

Said Hanian, "I think it's fair to say they discussed a number of those issues that have been impediments. Out of that meeting, we are hopeful that we are able to reach some ... agreement to gavel this session down."

---

---