Audio Clips
Idaho Credit Union League Government Affairs Conference
February 2, 2012
Here are a few selected audio clips of Governor Otter recorded as he spoke at the Annual meeting of the Idaho Credit Union League Government Affairs Conference on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at the Boise Centre on the Grove, in downtown Boise.
In 2011 there were 23 credit union failures nationally and 10 in western states. Since the recession began, around the country some 400 credit unions are in trouble. But Governor Otter said in Idaho the situation is different. He attributes that to sound fiscal policy that the credit unions have followed and he congratulated them for making it through 2011 with NO credit union failures in a very tough economic environment.
The Governor cautioned credit union officials that while we are not “out of the woods” in terms of financial institution crises, he was very pleased that Idaho credit unions, on average, were able to perform as well as they did during the recession.
The Governor says despite the difficult financial times, Idaho has a sterling reputation among borrowers and as a result the State’s bond rating improved last year, while the federal government’s rating went down. The Governor says Idaho has been rewarded for its prudent and cautious approach to budgeting.
“You give me bragging rights, that Idaho is in pretty good shape. Not just because of some of the things we have done at the government level. But because of the responsibility that you have all demonstrated during these tough times, and because your community of interest understands that.”
Governor Otter commented that recently he was asked by a California lawmaker if would be willing to come help the State of California institute some of the fiscal restraint the State of Idaho has followed under Governor Otter’s administration.
“And we did it with some pain, but we did it because it was the right thing to do, and we knew we had to do it.”
Nearly 94 million Americans are member-owners of and receive all or part of their financial services from the nation’s 7,300 credit unions.
“And I said, “Listen, I was born in a family of nine kids in Caldwell, Idaho and I have lived on farms and ranches and raised horses all my life, and I would tell you without any equivocation whatsoever, that if California were my horse, I would shoot it….I would put it down. Obviously, easier said than done.”
Idaho Falls Rotary Club and IGEM Tour at ISU
February 1, 2012
Here are a few selected audio clips of Governor Otter recorded Wednesday February 1, 2012, while the Governor took part in two different events in eastern Idaho.
The Governor began the morning by touring Idaho State University facilities in Pocatello, that will play a big part in the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission known as IGEM. Speaking at the RISE Center at ISU, the Governor explained that the IGEM initiative seeks to harness the genius at our colleges, universities and research centers, and partner that brain power with our whiz kids in business to create marketplace solutions that will grow our economy.
The Governor pointed out that Idaho is not “re-inventing the wheel,” with IGEM. He says the IGEM model has proven successful in other states like Utah, Virginia and Colorado. Idaho is embracing a time-tested, business-proven model that works.
“That kind of intellectual brain power, being able to focus on the needs of this great country of ours, with the purpose in mind, that we are just going to make a better world for everybody, we felt that IGEM had to become a reality.”
Later in the day the Governor was invited to speak at the Idaho Falls Rotary Club luncheon. He used the occasion to announce the formation of a nuclear energy commission that was created by the Governor signing an Executive Order. The order was signed at the luncheon.
“And with … great faith and in some cases a leap forward, they all saw the wisdom in taking our intellectual assets … and coupling that with our marketing assets and our innovation assets and putting them all together, so that we truly can be a major player in the future – in the 21st century and in the global marketplace.”
The Governor says the idea behind the establishment of this commission is to recognize the greatness of Idaho’s past in nuclear energy and to ensure we build on that success into the new century.
The Commission will be chaired by Department of Commerce Director Jeff Sayer, and will include representatives from state agencies, universities, member of the Idaho Legislature, local officials, the INL, industry and the public.
“We also want … to be part of our future and I think Idaho, because of INL, because of the other institutions that we have in the state, we can also be a great part of a great future (for nuclear energy) in the United States.”