Reactions to Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s final State of the State speech were mostly positive from several members of the North Idaho legislative delegation.

Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, called Monday’s speech “fantastic” and said his fellow lawmakers should adopt Otter’s tone for the 2018 session.

“We should be able to get a lot of good things done for Idahoans,” said Malek. “I think Gov. Otter really captured the importance of taking action at the state level.”

Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, described the speech as “sentimental” and added that she could see the emotion in Otter’s face throughout the address.

“He pointed out some great accomplishments in growth in the state and proposed some increases in education spending,” said Souza. “I want to take a close look at those and see what the options are going to be. I want to know more about his education CEO proposal. He didn’t talk about taxes and that surprised me.”

Otter said some of Idaho’s most important public policy issues in the coming years will involve making health care more accessible and affordable and ensuring employers have enough educated, trained and skilled workers to meet the needs of the state’s growing economy.

“Because of the work we have done over more than a decade, we have never been readier for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Otter told the Idaho Legislature, other state leaders and a statewide audience during his 12th and final State of the State and Budget Address at the Idaho Capitol. “The common sense conservative policies advanced by this body — and by us together — have been essential to Idaho’s progress toward better enabling our citizens to become the architects of their own destiny rather than surrendering to the siren song of entitlement.”

Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, was struck by Otter’s positive outlook and frequent use of the term “progress.”

“There was a lot of focus on education and higher education, which is a really good thing for the state,” said Amador. “If we’re going to invest in our future, education is the best place to put that money.”

Amador also praised Gov. Otter for focusing on health care and health care reform.

“We should get something accomplished,” said Amador. “It doesn’t appear we’re going to get a solution from the federal government. We need to provide more accessibility and affordability to the people of Idaho.”

The governor is beginning the last year of his third term. He is not seeking a fourth term. In his annual address to lawmakers, kicking off the second regular session of the 64th Idaho Legislature, Gov. Otter urged state leaders to work together in the public interest rather than being stalled or sidetracked by politics or ideology.

“We have made progress in the right direction over the past 11 years. Whether we continue on that course depends on our commitment to investing in an even better future for the people we serve,” he said. “It depends on the value we place on joining with individuals, communities and our corporate citizens in overcoming hidebound opposition to a legitimate role for state government in pursuing our common interests.”

Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, has listened to all 12 of the governor’s State of the State speeches as a member of the Idaho Legislature. “It was one of his best,” Nonini said Monday. “I was very happy and pleased he focused on education, higher education and career technical education and how that lines up with the economy.”