Executive Branch
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EXECUTIVE BRANCH Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter (center), with former Governors Dirk Kempthorne, Phil Batt, Cecil Andrus, John Evans, and Jim Risch. Photo Courtesy: Idaho Governor and Lieutenant Governor Offices EXECUTIVE BRANCH 49 The People of Idaho Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch House of Lieutenant Secretary Attorney State State Superintendent Senate Governor Supreme Representatives Governor of State General Controller Treasurer of Public Court Instruction Court of Department Department Department Department Department of Department Appeals of of of Commerce of Environmental of Administration Agriculture and Labor Correction Quality Finance Trial Fish and Health and Idaho Department Department Department of Courts Game Welfare State of of Juvenile Department Department Police Water Resources Insurance Corrections Department Department Department Department of Offi ce of the Department of of Parks & of Revenue & Taxa- Self-Governing State Board of of Lands Recreation tion Agencies Education Transportation Shading indicates elective offi ces Qualifications of Executive Officers Method of Officer Selection Qualification Term of Office Governor Elected by greatest 30 years of age; U.S. Four years number of voters in Citizen; 2 year Idaho general election resident Lieutenant Same as governor Same as governor Four years Governor Secretary of State Same as governor 25 years of age; U.S. Four years Citizen; 2 year Idaho resident State Controller Same as governor 25 years of age; U.S. Four years Citizen; 2 year Idaho resident State Treasurer Same as governor 25 years of age; U.S. Four years Citizen; 2 year Idaho resident Attorney General Same as governor 30 years of age; U.S. Four years Citizen; admitted to the practice of law in Idaho; 2 year Idaho resident Superintendent Same as governor 25 years of age; Four years of Public U.S. Citizen; have a Instruction bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; 2 year Idaho resident EXECUTIVE BRANCH 51 Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter C.L. "Butch" Otter was elected Governor of Idaho on November 7, 2006. He previously served three terms in Congress representing Idaho’s 1st District (2000-2006). Governor Otter is a father of four and grandfather of three. He is married to the former Lori Easley. They live on their ranch near Star. Governor Otter was born in Caldwell on May 3, 1942. He graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy (now Bishop Kelly High School) in Boise, attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University), and re- ceived a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the College of Idaho (now Albertson College of Idaho) in 1967. He served honorably in the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Armored Cavalry from 1968 to 1973, and later was awarded honorary doctor- ates from Mindanao State University in the Philippines and Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell. Governor Otter’s 30-year career in business included membership on the Board of Di- rectors of the J.R. Simplot Company. He also served as Director of the Food Products Division, President of Simplot Livestock, and President of Simplot International. He retired in 1993. When he was elected to Congress, Governor Otter was serving his fourth term as Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor. He served in that office longer than anyone in Idaho history. He previously represented the people of Canyon County in the Idaho House of Representatives for two terms (1973-1976), was on the Idaho Republican Party Central Committee and was Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Party. Governor Otter is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the National Rifle Asso- ciation, the Maple Grove State Grange, the Idaho Cowboys Association, the American Legion, Idaho 4-H Million Dollar Club, a Grand Slam member of Ducks Unlimited, and a lifetime member of Safari Club International. Address: 304 N 8th Street, Suite 347, PO Box 83720, Boise 83720-0034 Phone: (208) 334-2100 Fax: (208) 854-3036 Web: gov.idaho.gov Political Party: Republican Salary: $105,560.00 Duties: The governor is vested with the supreme executive power. He appoints depart- ment heads and members of boards and commissions. The governor issues executive orders which have the force and effect of law. The governor drafts and recommends a budget to the state legislature. On extraordinary occasions the governor can convene special sessions of the legislature. He must give final approval, by signing bills passed by the legislature. He has the power to veto bills but must list his objections. The legislature can override a veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The governor is commander-in-chief of the military forces, except when they are called into actual service of the United States. He is President of the Board of Examiners and Chairman of the Board of Land Commissioners. 52 IDAHO BLUE BOOK Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch is a rancher and attorney from Ada County. He attended the Univer- sity of Idaho where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1965. He continued his education at the University of Idaho, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1968. From 1970 to 1974 Lieutenant Governor Risch worked as the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney; during this period he also taught law at Boise State University. In 1975 he was first elected to the Idaho State Senate, a position he held for 22 of the next 28 years. He spent 12 years as Majority Leader and six years as President Pro Tem. Jim was elected Lieutenant Gov- ernor of Idaho in November 2002. In June of 2006, Jim Risch became the 31st Governor of Idaho, and served in that position for seven months. During that time, Governor Risch accomplished a significant number of successes for the State of Idaho. Among those were a much needed property tax relief package, opening regional offices for constituent service, proposing an acclaimed plan to manage roadless areas, and a sundry of initiatives to streamline government, fight substance abuse, increase nursing education and improve transportation throughout the state. He was re-elected to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in November Lieutenant Governor Risch is involved in many community activities. He is a member of the Idaho Cattleman’s Association, American and Idaho Angus Association, American and Idaho Bar Associations, Ducks Unlimited and the National Rifle Association. He has also re- ceived many awards and honors including National Conference of State Legislators Leadership Award, Idaho Farm Bureau “Friend of Agriculture” and is a member of the Idaho Republican Hall of Fame. Jim has been married to his wife Vicki for 38 years. They have three sons James, Jason and Jordan, two daughter-in-laws Jennifer and Jeannette, as well as six grandchildren. Address: 304 N 8th Street, Suite 336, PO Box 83720, Boise 83720-0057 Phone: (208) 334-2200 Fax: (208) 334-3259 Web: lgo.idaho.gov Political party: Republican Salary: $27,820.00 Duties: The Lieutenant Governor is presiding officer of the Idaho State Senate and act- ing Governor of the State of Idaho upon the absence of the Governor. In the event that the Governor is unable to continue his office, the Lieutenant Governor is next in line under the Constitution to succeed to the Governorship. EXECUTIVE BRANCH 53 Secretary of State Ben Ysursa Ben Ysursa was elected Idaho’s 26th Secretary of State on November 5, 2002. He was re-elected in 2006 for a second term. He was born in Boise, Idaho in 1949. He is a 1971 graduate of Gonzaga University and earned his law degree at St. Louis University Law School in 1974 and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in October 1974. Ben started his professional career serving first as Deputy Secretary of State from 1974 to 1976 and then as Chief Deputy Secretary of State from 1976-2002. He has conducted numerous workshops on elections for county, city and district officials throughout the state and has authored various manuals. As Secretary of State, Ben has strived to maintain the office's reputation for timely and efficient service by utilizing the latest technological advances. He has also fostered a strong relationship with the County Clerks in achieving fair and honest elections for all Idahoans. Ben has been an active member of the National Association of Secretaries of State and is currently serving as an Executive Board Member. Ben was the recipient of the "Boyd Martin Award" presented by the Association of Idaho Cities and the 1992 Recipient for Outstanding Administrator from the Idaho Republican Party. Ben has served as a board member for various state and city committees and as a volunteer for youth athletic organizations. Ben is a member of the Basque Center and St. John’s Parish. He and his wife Penny have three children, Shawn Del, Matthew, and Andrew and two grandchildren Benjamin and Thomas. Address: 304 N 8th Street, Suite 149, PO Box 83720, Boise 83720-0080 Phone: (208) 334-2300 Fax: (208) 334-2282 Web: www.sos.idaho.gov Political Party: Republican Salary: $85,800.00 Duties: Duties: Member of Board of Land Commissioners, Board of Examiners, chairman of the Board of Canvassers; Chief Elections Officer; keeper of the Great Seal of the State. Prepares the Session Laws, file all bills of the Legislature, file proclamations, Executive Orders of the Governor, extraditions, tort claims, and miscellaneous legislative and executive documents. As Chief Elections Officer, he administers the election laws, compiles and publishes the election laws and election calendar, certifies abstracts of votes from counties, and issues certificates of election. Administers the "Sunshine Law" for campaign financing and lobbyist activity disclosure. The Secretary of State’s office files articles of incorporation, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, trademarks, service marks and notary public appointments.