Today's House GOP caucus focused on "the overall budget and implications of tax conformity and what that means to the budget," according to House GOP Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly. "We're going to meet again later in the week to receive and discuss some more information," he said. The House Democratic Caucus also discussed the same issues, according to House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston. On Friday, the governor, House speaker and Senate president pro-tem sent out a "Dear Friends" letter saying the state's budget picture is worse than previously thought, due to anticipated costs of conforming with IRS rules and higher-than-expected costs for an existing alternative energy sales tax rebate; you can read the letter here.

Senate Majority Caucus Chairman John McGee, R-Caldwell, says the Senate GOP caucus conferred for about 45 minutes; the meeting included election of Sens. Steve Bair and Jim Hammond to the legislative council, plus discussion of Supt. Tom Luna's proposed education reform plan and the cost to the state of conforming to new IRS rules.