We’re Liveblogging the Legislative Preview

Thursday morning The Associated Press is hosting a legislative preview event in advance of the session that starts January 9th.  We’ll be there liveblogging and you’ll be able to join the conversation at our homepage.

Here’s the agenda:

9:00 a.m. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter

10:00 a.m. Senate President Brent Hill, (R-Rexburg); House Speaker Lawerence Denney, (R-Midvale); House Minority Leader John Rusche, (D-Lewiston) and Senate Minority Leader Edgar Malepaei (D-Pocatello) will discuss the upcoming session, with the budget likely to dominate the conversation.  Moderated by AP Statehouse reporter John Miller.

11:00 a.m. To Exchange or Not to Exchange.  The debate over Idaho’s acceptance of federal money to develop a state health insurance exchange is nothing new.  Lawmakers debated for hours last year on a small federal grant to fund preliminary work on developing an exchange, a central component of the federal health care overhaul. Since then, Idaho has been awarded $30 million for development, and Gov. Otter has agreed to accept it, but Republican lawmakers have other ideas. Panelists include Rep. Vito Barbieri, (R-Dalton Gardens); Bill Deal, director of the Idaho Department of Insurance; and Alex LaBeau, president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry.  Moderated by AP Statehouse reporter John Miller.