BOISE - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has allowed some of this year's most contentious measures to become law without his signature, allowing lawmakers to officially close out their work for the session without debating whether to override a pending veto.
Otter on Wednesday allowed a measure that would drastically overhaul the state's trespass laws to become enacted without his signature despite citing concerns that the proposal could have chilling effects on sportsmen and recreationists.
Earlier that day, Otter also allowed a measure repealing a 2016 non-compete law to become enacted without signing off on the proposal.
Doing so means Idaho lawmakers are finished for the year and can return home. Both the House and Senate officially adjourned Wednesday evening with lawmakers giving speeches lauding the session's successes.
Earlier in the afternoon, Democratic lawmakers held a news conference in which they reflected on the session and applauded several pieces of Democrat-driven policy that were approved this year.
However, House minority leader Rep. Mat Erpelding says in terms of big policy moves, like the $200 million tax cut, Democrats were left out of the conversation.
"If you look at all of those first-tier bills, Democrats were completely cut out of the room in those discussions, that means trespassing, that means stand your ground, that means both of the tax bills that passed, Democrats were not at the table," Erpelding said.
Senate majority leader Chuck Winder disagrees.
"We always try to include our colleagues on the minority party," Winder said. "We don't always agree but you think about most of the things we do here, 80 to 85 percent of things we agree on and move forward as the two parties. Where we get into differences are social issues and party things but most of the time they are part of it."
Otter will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon to give his thoughts on the 2018 session, his last as governor.
This year's session lasted 80 days. Idaho's Legislature tends to run short in election years so lawmakers can leave to campaign. All 105 state lawmakers are up for re-election this year.