Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter - The State of Idaho

Chronological History of Idaho

STATE OF IDAHO 1980 - 1989

1980	Idaho population: 944,038. An 18 hour riot at the Idaho State Prison results in $2 million in damages. Mount St. Helens erupts, covers north Idaho with volcanic ash. Interior Secretary Cecil Andrus, by executive order, expands the Birds of Prey Natural Area from 31,000 to 482,640 acres. Congress approves the Central Idaho Wilderness Act, establishing the 2.2 million acre River of No Return Wilderness. Congressman Steve Symms defeats Senator Frank Church in the most expensive campaign in Idaho history with over $4 million spent by the candidates and independent committees.
1981	Senator James McClure becomes Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Keith F. Nyborg, a rancher from Ashton, is appointed ambassador to Finland by President Reagan. "Rabbit Drives" in southeastern Idaho create controversy between animal protection groups and farmers whose crops are devastated by wild jack rabbits. Gulf Resources and Chemical of Houston, Texas announced the closure of the 98-year-old Bunker Hill Mine and Smelter in Kellogg.
1982	Legislature outlaws insanity plea for defendants - first in nation. Voters pass record eight constitutional amendments and three initiatives. Governor Evans puts most state employees on 4-day work week for two months to lower projected budget deficit. Harriman State Park dedicated July 17. Fugitive Christopher Boyce, convicted of selling national security secrets to the Soviet Union, is captured near Bonners Ferry.
1983	Legislature imposes temporary 4 1/2 percent sales tax to cover state deficit. Eagle Island State Park dedicated June 25. State Supreme Court declares current legislative apportionment unconstitutional because it divides counties. Several north Idaho local governments pass resolutions to secede from southern Idaho and form a new state. An earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, kills two children and causes four million dollars worth of damage October 28. The quake, centered in the Lost River Valley, was the largest in the continental United States in 24 years and left a 10-foot high, 15 mile long shear.
1984	Supreme Court imposes 42 member Senate, 84 member House in legislative redistricting plan. Christin Cooper of Ketchum wins silver medal in the women's giant slalom at the Olympic games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Harmon Killebrew of Payette is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Permanent sales tax set at 4 percent. Legislature approves Education Reform bill, allocating $20 million to improve teacher salaries statewide. Former Senator Frank Church dies April 7. U.S. Representative George Hansen defeated for reelection by Richard Stallings in closest Idaho congressional race in history - 170 votes. Populist Party sues for and obtains ballot status on November 6 general election. Wallace celebrates centennial. Idaho Power Company and the State of Idaho reach agreement on Snake River Basin water rights.
1985	Shortest Legislative session in 12 years - 66 days. Department of Commerce established. National Governor's Conference held in Boise. Jimmy Jausoro, a Basque musician from Boise is one of 12 folk artists nationwide (and the first Idahoan ever) to receive a prestigious 1985 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Pocatello citizens vote to remove council-manager system of city government in June. Potlatch Corporation closes lumber mills at Lewiston and Jaype (near Pierce), affecting 1,200 workers. Over six million acres of Idaho rangeland are sprayed with pesticides to battle grasshopper infestation.
1986	Claude Dallas, convicted in 1982 for killing two Idaho Fish & Game Wardens, escapes from the Idaho State Penitentiary March 30. He is recaptured March 8, 1987 outside a convenience store in Riverside, California. Voters retain right-to-work law in referendum; also approve state lottery initiative.
1987	Permanent sales tax at 5 percent. Legislature passes mandatory daycare licensing and tort reform legislation. Dry winter leads to severe summer drought.
1988	Voters pass constitutional amendment removing prohibition against legislature authorizing a state lottery.
1989	First state lottery tickets sold July 19th. Worst forest fires since 1910, burn thousands of acres in south central Idaho, partially destroying town of Lowman.

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