Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on the $35.7 million tax cut for Idaho's top earners that's roaring through the Idaho Legislature, backed by Gov. Butch Otter and co-sponsored by a majority of the members of the Idaho House; the bill passed the House today on a 49-20 vote, despite warnings from House Tax Chairman Dennis Lake that the state will be repeating its 2001 pattern of granting a permanent tax cut with one-time surplus funds. Back then, then-Gov. Dirk Kempthorne forced the longest legislative session in state history just two years later to push through a temporary sales tax increase to avoid deep cuts to schools and other state programs.

Lake, who isn't seeking re-election, told the House, "I'm fortunate, I'm not going to be here next year to deal with that issue, but some of you are - and you'd better think about it very carefully."