Gov. Butch Otter sent a letter to every member of the Senate and House of Representatives this morning, thanking them for their work this session and their friendship. "We all have gotten more than our fair share of news media coverage the past few weeks - most of it negative, focused on our challenges and a few issues on which we have not yet reached agreement," Otter wrote. "I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for those many issues on which we have worked together so well and effectively, and on which we have made real progress and agreed on real solutions for the people we serve. There is far too little coverage of the success stories of this legislative session, and of the honorable and noteworthy job you are doing under extraordinarily difficult economic conditions." He cited the crafting of a state budget, continued grocery tax relief, funding for the Idaho Education Network, passage of water legislation and more. "It is an honor to work with you," the governor wrote, "and I look forward to continuing our development of a productive and fulfilling relationship this year, and for years to come."

House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, said, "I can't disagree with it; it's a good letter." He said after meeting with Otter this morning, "I felt confident that he's ready for us to leave town as well."

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