• A bill giving the state oversight of natural gas drilling received unanimous approval from a House committee Thursday — despite objections that it would usurp local control.

As a result, the bill may be in store for some changes.

“Concerns raised by Washington and Payette county residents over the lack of opportunities for the public to shape and steer drilling, exploration and production of natural gas prompted an industry attorney to commit to make changes to the legislation,” reports our Rocky Barker.

• Could there still be a showdown over the 2012-13 budget? Could be.

Gov. Butch Otter seems to be sticking to his plans, which include carving out $45 million for tax relief, awarding $41 million in merit pay raises and socking away $60 million in savings.

“Budget chief Wayne Hammon has been jawboning lawmakers fearful Otter's forecast of $2.7 billion in revenue is too optimistic,” says the Associated Press.

• Seems every session brings a move from a Canyon County lawmaker to weaken emissions testing law. This year, it’s Sen. Curt McKenzie’s turn. His bill would require car owners to spend no more than $200 a year repairing vehicles that flunk emissions tests.

Said McKenzie: “The effect is going to be de minimis. … Nobody wants to spend $200 a year forever and not fix the problem.”

More here from our Dan Popkey.

• From elsewhere in the 2C delegation, here's an interesting item from Dustin Hurst at Idahoreporter.com: “Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, wants to prevent certain state welfare dollars from being spent on tattoos, lottery tickets, cigarettes, alcohol or adult entertainment. …

“Perry did not cite any known cases of the money being used for tattoos, lottery tickets, adult entertainment cigarettes or alcohol, but says state law doesn’t explicitly prevent it from happening. ‘We would have to be proactive rather than reactive on this,’ Perry said.”

• Not directly related to the Statehouse, but a good read regardless. National media reports have put Boise on the list of pst-recession turnaround towns. Emilie Ritter Saunders of StateImpact Idaho put the national hype through the factcheck.

Her takeaway point: "While it might be nice for the Gem State’s biggest city to be recognized on this kind of a list, many of the facts supporting its placement are simply false."

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