What You Should Know About Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter

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State of Idaho

Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter (R-Idaho)

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C.L. “Butch” Otter has been a fixture of Idaho politics since 1973 when he was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives.

Otter was elected to his second term as Idaho governor on Nov. 2, 2010. He was first elected governor on Nov. 7, 2006.

StateImpact Idaho sat down with the governor before the 2012 legislative session began to ask about a few key economic issues. Click the links below to see video of where he stands:

A Brief Biography

Otter, a Republican, is the longest serving Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, his tenure spanned from 1987-2000. In 2000 he was then elected to the United States Congress and served until 2006.

According to the Washington Post, Otter voted with his party most of the time, 86 percent, but has been known to have an independent streak on some issues.

“He was among three Republicans in the House to vote against the USA Patriot Act in 2001 and he later sponsored a bill to repeal parts of it. But independent streaks are sometimes tolerated in a state that would rather not be told what to do by the federal government.” – William Yardley, New York Times

Otter was born on May 3, 1942 in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended St. Teresa’s Academy in Boise and graduated from Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1967. After college, Otter joined the Idaho National Guard and served in the 116^th Armored Calvary until 1973.

Butch Otter is married to his second wife, Lori. He has four children and several grandchildren.

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May 9, 2012

Idaho Recognizes A Hard-Hit Jobs Sector

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has declared this week Public Employee Recognition Week. He’s designated today as State Employee Recognition Day. The official proclamation says: WHEREAS, public employees at the federal, state, county and city levels dedicate their careers to public service by contributing to professional industries such as health care, education, public safety, conservation, and […]

May 4, 2012

Four Idaho Companies Report Positive Results From China Trade Mission

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter is touting the results of last month’s trade mission to China. Fifteen Idaho companies and organizations joined the mission. Half were already doing business in China and went in hopes of expanding their current reach, while others went seeking a foothold in the market. Gov. Otter says those initial meetings are […]

May 3, 2012

Idaho Communities To Receive More Than $5.5 Million In Grant Funds

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed off on more than $5.5 million in grant awards to Idaho communities. Otter followed the guidance of the Idaho Economic Advisory Council in his decisions, approving all 18 grant proposals that the council recommended for funding. Twin Falls will receive $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant dollars to […]

April 17, 2012

Trade Mission To China Showcases Unexpected Idaho Businesses

The most recent trade mission to China organized by the state Department of Commerce and headlined by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter is underway this week. Computer and electronic products make up the lion’s share of Idaho’s exports to China, but that sector isn’t represented in the lineup of 15 Idaho companies working to explore and […]

April 11, 2012

Q&A With Statesman’s Rocky Barker: Governor’s China Trip Worth The Tax Dollars

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho commerce and business officials are preparing for their week-long trip to China. The trade mission takes off this Saturday. This year’s trip to China comes two years after Gov. Otter lead a similar mission there, with the aim of creating direct investment opportunities for wealthy Chinese in Idaho. The […]

April 5, 2012

Tax Cut For Top Earners Is Official

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter sent out this tweet earlier today: He’s signed House Bill 563, which lowers the top corporate and individual income tax rates from 7.6 and 7.8 percent respectively, to 7.4 percent. The Associated Press has reported a family of four in the top tax bracket, with a gross income of $100,000, will […]

April 3, 2012

Lawmakers Approve 342 Bills

The Idaho Legislature put its stamp of approval on 342 bills this year, more than half of the measures introduced, according to legislative services. As of today, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed a fraction of them, 182. The session ended last Thursday. That means Otter has ten days to sign or veto bills he received […]

March 29, 2012

Idaho’s Top Earners Will Get A Tax Break

Idaho corporations and top individual taxpayers will pay less to the state next year. A plan to lower the top tax rates passed the Senate this afternoon. It’s final stop will be a signature by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter. As soon as Otter signs the bill, which he is expected to, the new tax rates […]

March 14, 2012

Otter’s Plan To Stimulate Idaho’s Tech Economy Becomes Law

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed into law his plan to kick-start collaboration between university researchers and private industry. Otter’s IGEM, the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission, spends $5 million to spur local innovation through research. The plan sets aside $1 million in Idaho Department of Commerce grants for start-up businesses, $2 million for the Center […]

February 24, 2012

Idaho Governor, Senator To Promote Romney’s New Tax Plan

For the second time this month Idaho Republicans Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Senator Jim Risch are stumping for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney detailed a new tax plan earlier this week, the same day President Barack Obama unveiled his. Now, Otter and Risch are hosting a press conference call this afternoon to tout […]