If Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter can survive the upcoming primary election, he will be on the cusp of joining a very exclusive club. If Otter wins re-election in November, he will be one of three men to serve three terms as Idaho governor.
Justin Ackerman | Argonaut
Charles Ross and Robert E. Smylie are the other two men who have not just served three terms, but have left a lasting impact on the state. Ross served in the 1930s and was a supporter of FDR’s New Deal programs, he helped bring liquor sales under state control and helped push Idaho’s first ever sales tax.
Smylie created the state park system and helped re-establish the Ross’ era sales tax, which was repealed through referendum in 1936.
Otter’s name will forever stand beside these two, if he clinches his third term. This opportunity to solidify his legacy shouldn’t come as a surprise, just look what Otter has done for Idaho’s economy and education.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, when Otter took office in 2007, the average Idahoan’s per capita income sat at $32,607, which leaves Idaho ranked 43rd out of the 50 states. In 2012, that number rose slightly to $33,749, but Idaho dropped to 49th in the nation — beating only Mississippi.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks number of minimum wage jobs in each state, and 7.7 percent of Idaho’s workforce works for minimum wage. This percentage gives Idaho the highest number of minimum wage workers the Bureau has ever seen.
Unfortunately, education in Idaho hasn’t faired much better under Otter. I’ve commented on education in Idaho before, but it’s a somber sentiment always worth restating.
When Otter took office in 2007, Idaho sat in 50th place in spending per student — according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Today, Idaho sits at 49th out of 50 states, and while Otter talks big on education reform, nothing meaningful has happened in the last seven years. Actually, tuition at the University of Idaho has gone up nearly $1,000 under Otter. It has risen from $2,100 per semester in 2007, to $3,200 today.
All of this has drastically changed the state of Idaho. Yet, if these numbers are any indication, that change has not been a positive one. It’s definitely not worthy of propelling Otter to a third term as governor, but it might happen regardless if past elections are any indication.
Otter consistently outspends his opponents, but his money has increasingly come from out of state. According to campaign finance records in 2010, Otter raised almost $2 million, with just under $500,000 coming from out of state. The out of state funding alone is just about half of his opponents spent. Otter will consistently be able to outspend his opponents, but it appears raking in contributions from wealthy donors is one of the only things he is good at. Combine that with Idaho’s political landscape and you have a recipe for bad policies and unaccountable politicians.
Otter isn’t all bad, he voted against the Patriot Act and he’s been a part of Idaho politics for a long time.
However, it’s time Idaho gives someone new a shot at fixing the problems the state has faced for so long.
Justin Ackerman can be reached at [email protected]