Campaign 2010: C.L. “Butch” Otter, Republican, Idaho

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The Chronicle recently asked the major-party candidates for governor in 37 states to answer a series of questions about how they would influence the work of nonprofit groups in their states if they are elected. Below is the response offered by C.L. “Butch” Otter, the current Republican governor of Idaho, who is running for re-election.

Please describe any involvement you have had personally with nonprofits (as a board member, volunteer, staff member, etc.).

I have spent my entire life dedicated to giving back to the communities in which I live and serve. Today, I am a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the National Rifle Association, the Maple Grove State Grange, the Idaho Cowboys Association, and the Idaho 4-H Million Dollar Club. I am a Grand Slam member of Ducks Unlimited, a lifetime member of Safari Club International, and was elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Board of Directors in Oklahoma City in 1991. I am actively involved as a lifetime member of American Legion Post 113 in Meridian, Idaho.

If you have held elective office before, please describe any policies or practices you put into place that particularly benefited nonprofits.

Throughout my time in office, I have worked for the people of Idaho to help make their lives better. During the 2010 legislative session, I passed legislation to enhance a state tax credit for charitable contributions for individual and corporate taxpayers that make monetary donations to public and nonprofit private K-12 schools and universities in Idaho, Idaho Public Broadcasting, Idaho State Historical Society, and Idaho libraries and museums. The bill also expanded the state entities eligible to receive the tax credit to include the Idaho Commission for Hispanic Affairs, Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Idaho State Independent Living Council, and the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. For individual taxpayers, the tax credit remains equal to 50 percent of the contribution but now can be applied to up to 50 percent of the taxpayer’s total Idaho income-tax liability rather than 20 percent.

Please highlight those parts of your platform for governor that you think will most help nonprofits in your state.

I stand behind the belief that limited government creates endless opportunities for Idahoans both in the nonprofit sector and in the private sector of our economy.

Does your state have a government position, office, or cabinet seat that is dedicated to helping nonprofits or promoting volunteerism? If yes, please describe it and say whether you would keep the office or position or make changes to it. If no, would you consider creating such a position or office?

Currently, Idaho State government does not have a position, office, or cabinet seat that is dedicated to nonprofits. However, we are in constant communication with the nonprofit leaders of our state to stay apprised of the key issues. Much more research would need to be done before a decision is made.

Many nonprofits have lost revenue because of state budget cuts during the recession. Do you have any proposals to help nonprofits that rely on state-government grants and contracts weather the bad economic times?

During these tough times, everyone—including state government—has had to tighten our belts and spend less. We are all forced to do more with fewer resources. But times will get better, and as long as we keep the lines of communication open, especially with the nonprofit community, we can get through this together.

Do you expect that as governor you will have to propose budget cuts to balance the state budget in 2011? If so, please explain.

2010 was a tough year for the State of Idaho as it relates to balancing the budget. We are optimistic that 2011 will have more of a positive outlook for our state’s revenue. Together with the legislature, we will ensure we have a balanced budget, and if additional cuts are necessary, they will be completely vetted before anything happens.

States are responsible for ensuring that nonprofits and fund raisers register before they solicit charitable contributions through such means as telemarketing and direct mail. Do your state regulators have an adequate budget to perform this task? Are there any areas where you think state regulation of charities needs to be strengthened?

Idaho is very strong when it comes to making sure that nonprofits and fund raisers register before they solicit for money. Idaho has set standards and protocol for this practice, and we are doing a great job in protecting the people of our state.

Please add any other observations you may have about the relationship between the state government and nonprofits in your state.

Nonprofits play a particularly important role in the state of Idaho. Tens of thousands of citizens benefit from the work of many throughout the state. As state leaders, we need to continue to provide a platform for helping others both in time and money.

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See responses from other candidates on our Campaign 2010 Web page.

If you have information about how the governor’s race could affect nonprofits in your state, or would like to encourage your state’s candidates to complete our survey, please contact Suzanne Perry at suzanne.perry@philanthropy.com or (202) 466-1228.