Speculation about how long the 2009 session will last has some folks wondering whether Idaho legislators can take the heat. And they're not talking about the battle over how to spend stimulus cash.

The Statehouse Annex, where legislators are spending a second session as the Capitol is restored and expanded, has no central air conditioning.

"Nope, no central air," acknowledged Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs. Some offices housing year-round secretarial staff are equipped with AC.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna outlined his potential uses of federal stimulus money for the public schools budget Thursday morning to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

Luna laid out what he considered a reasonable scenario: using the stimulus money to keep education whole in fiscal year 2009 and using $62 million in cuts and stimulus money in 2010 and 2011.

He also put forth what he called his “Thelma & Louise” scenario — when you see the cliff coming, you hit the gas pedal.

The House transportation committee Thursday heard presentations on three proposals to increase the state's fuel tax.

Gov. Butch Otter wants to increase the state fuel tax by ten cents (HB 94) from 25 cents per gallon to 35 cents; transportation committee chairman JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, proposes a two-cent increase (HB 135) and Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, proposes a five-cent increase (HB 136).

More than a half dozen lobbyists spoke, at length, in favor of Otter’s bill. None spoke in favor of Wood’s or Smith’s bills. No non-lobbyists spoke in favor of Otter's bill.

Micron's layoffs have one consequence for people in Sen. Bart Davis's legislative District 33.

The Idaho National Laboratory is "becoming" the state's largest employer, Davis said during Wednesday's Senate session. "Thought I'd drop that for our Treasure Valley friends."

Davis was reminding lawmakers about a luncheon at Boise's Crystal Ballroom with staff from the Idaho Falls-based INL.

INL currently has a total "population" of over 7,600 employees, said John Walsh a spokesman for the laboratory.

Idaho should look for some emergency funds and private partnerships for boat washing operations to protect the state from an invasion of zebra and quagga mussels, Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, told the Joint-Finance Appropriation Committee Wednesday morning.

Corder chairs the Senate's Agricultural Affairs Committee.

Corder and Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, are working to warn lawmakers the state faces a costly infestation if the state doesn't take action this spring. Idaho could have to spend millions to fight the mussels if they become established, they say.

Idaho should use any stimulus dollars and GARVEE bonding to pay for new road and transportation projects, Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning.

McGee chairs the Senate's transportation committee. Committee chairs were delivering special reports to JFAC on Wednesday. McGee urged JFAC's lawmakers to consider what transportation projects will do for Idaho’s economy.

“We have a chance to stimulate our own economy,” McGee said.

At least one Republican leader in the Idaho Senate believes the stimulus package is going to create a long (very long) 2009 legislative session.

Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, said Friday that he thinks the session could last into mid-April.

“There’s optimism that we’ll get this thing back on track and we’ll be out of here in March. I don’t think so because what’s going to happen is basically we’re starting the whole process over again,” Fulcher said.

The first class of pages completes their six-week stint on Friday and one page was given a special send-off by the budget committee Thursday morning.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee won't be meeting Friday and took time to honor Emily Hunter of Meridian, who co-chairman Dean Cameron called "one of the best pages we've ever had."

Hunter is a senior at Cole Valley Christian who plans to attend Boise State and hopes to become a lawyer. She's so tech savvy she's made a habit of helping agency directors with their PowerPoint presentations.

Jim Risch returned to the Idaho Senate on Wednesday to report on his Congressional goings-on.

Risch cracked jokes and packed along a copy of the 1,100-page stimulus bill. It was situated on the Senate podium for dramatic effect.

"What a pleasure it is to be herein this rarified company," Risch said, pointing to Lt. Gov. Brad Little. "You are here with a gentleman...who has the potential to be the second best lieutenant governor this state has ever had."

Risch lamented the slogging pace of the U.S. Congress.

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden told lawmakers on Wednesday that suing the federal government over the wolves issue is futile.

His response came after Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, a rancher, asked Wasden whether he'd sue over wolves or just leave things in the "status quo."

"We are actually engaged in the process," Wasden said. "I’ve been working right now to have a meeting with the Secretary of the Interior on wolves. The opportunities for litigating the federal government might make us feel good, but they do little more than waste taxpayer dollars."