Oregon Public Broadcasting

Of the three Northwest states, Idaho received the smallest amount from the federal stimulus package. And it has created a unique process for distributing it.

Thursday, Idaho Governor Butch Otter will present the plan he released Wednesday for spending $1.25 billion. Inland Northwest correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

Each state has its own process for deciding how to spend federal stimulus money.

Washington has a point person that manages the spending. 

In Idaho, Governor Otter asked state agencies to give him lists of projects that have the potential for funding. Those lists went to a vetting committee that includes three former Idaho governors.

That panel reviewed the projects and made recommendations to Otter.

Now, the governor says he approved spending that will create jobs in all parts of Idaho or that will provide relief to people who lost their jobs. The Republican governor says he doesn’t want the stimulus money to cause the state to have to create new programs.

Otter says he has already briefed legislative leaders on his recommendations. As part of the rollout of the plan, his budget director will present details to legislators and Otter will answer questions from reporters.