Gov. Dirk Kempthorne expects a "short, productive legislative session," he told the Idaho Press Club today. With reporters jammed into a local Mexican restaurant for the governor's annual luncheon talk, Kempthorne defended his campaign finances, declined to threaten any vetos in the interest of working with lawmakers, and helped pass around the iced tea.

He repeated his commitment to find alternatives to field-burning in North Idaho: "Because if we can do that, that is going to help us with the air quality."

After lots and lots of questions, he helped disassemble a twisted web of microphones that TV crews had set up on a stand in front of him. While he was at it, the governor joked, "Did you want all these on? Because I turned 'em off."

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