Lt. Gov. Brad Little, who served as acting governor Monday when Gov. Butch Otter underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, said Tuesday that Otter is doing well.

"He starts physical rehab tomorrow. He's ready to go," Little said.

Little, a former state senator, joked with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee about his new position as lieutenant governor.

"I don't know how much he trusts me to be governor or how sedated he is before I get to be governor," Little said. Earlier he joked, "They don’t trust me with the whole budget, you know I am the lieutenant governor."

Little said he had spoken with the governor about the accident that caused the injury. Otter was team-roping when it occurred about three weeks ago.

"He keeps telling me it was the bit on the horse, so I might have to get him a new bridle," Little said. "...He's going to be winged up for a little bit and he won't be doing any of those enthusiastic hand-shaking for a while. He's a tough guy, I'm sure he'll rehab well."

Otter's schedule has been cleared and he is expected to work part-time next week. His rehab is expected to take 10 to 15 weeks.