Today is the day that Idahoans will get to weigh in on what to do with Idaho's official governor's mansion, the former J.R. Simplot home on a grassy hilltop in north Boise, topped by a giant American flag. The Governor's Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, will meet in room WW55 of the state Capitol from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; you can see the agenda here. There'll be a presentation about the history and operation of a governor's residence in Idaho, followed by public testimony. There's more info here.

No Idaho governor has ever lived in the Simplot home, which the billionaire donated to the state for an official governor's residence because Idaho had none. Current Gov. Butch Otter is Simplot's ex-son-in-law, and lives at his own ranch in Star. Upkeep costs for the mansion are running more than $177,000 a year, including maintaining the giant lawn that covers the grassy hilltop.