State budget available online

By :EXPRESS STAFF

Idaho Gov. C.L."Butch'' Otter says he wants to make it easier for the public to scrutinize the details of Idaho's state budget and provide an opportunity for taxpayers to provide insight and perspective on how to make state government more efficient. His office has set up the Web site, http://efficiency.idaho.gov/, a clearing house for information about state spending.

In a press release issued Friday, Otter said that government doesn't have a monopoly on good ideas. He wants to encourage citizens to make suggestions on how to run things more efficiently, especially as tax revenue lags, unemployment climbs and the economy sputters.

``We want to hear from you,'' said Otter. 

Idaho state government is already consolidating responsibilities, cutting travel, reducing paper use and leaving positions vacant to save money. Otter says any new suggestions received by his office will be reviewed.