To Continue Vital Idaho Programs for Children and Families

We, the undersigned, hereby petition The Honorable Gov. C.L. Butch Otter to show his support for Idahos most precious natural resource the people of this great state by refusing to de-fund and dismantle vital programs such as Head Start, Parents as Teachers, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Suicide Prevention, and other related community resources.

Recent news reports indicate that the Otter Administration is finalizing plans to kill funding for these important, family-oriented and low-cost solutions, which were started under the previous administration of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.

Even if current funding streams are not appropriate, the State of Idaho has millions of idle dollars at its disposal, such as the budget stabilization fund. In fact, there are numerous fiscal courses that Gov. Otter could take to restore funding and continue these important operations.

If he allows these draconian budget cuts to move forward, Gov. Otter will have proven that he does not value children, families, early childhood education or suicide prevention.

Therefore, as a united group of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, we call upon Butch Otter to reverse his administrations course and to allow these critical programs to continue serving the people of Idaho.