BOISE - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter issued his first veto of the 2008 Legislature on Thursday when he nixed $16.8 million in substance abuse treatment funding.

Otter issued line item vetoes on two bills that set aside funding for statewide substance abuse treatment programs, efforts that legislators have made a priority in recent years. South-central Idaho has been a major benefactor.

Otter wrote that while not opposed to any substance abuse programs, he wanted to see more justification for the funding. The governor vetoed House bill 608, which included $14.4 million for next year, and Senate bill 1458, which included $2.4 million as a supplemental to the current year.

"The item vetoed in this bill goes far beyond the scope of what state policy makers had in mind when our treatment program was created or what Idaho taxpayers should be expected to accept," he wrote.

Senators said Thursday evening they were disappointed in Otter's decision, and that in recent years lawmakers have focused their attention on treatment rather than so heavily on prisons.

"The Legislature for the last several years has had a paradigm shift," said Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, and co-chairman of the Joint Finance-Appropria-tions Committee. "It's obvious that some haven't made that shift."

The veto letters - to House Speaker Lawerence E. Denney and Senate Pro Tem Bob Geddes - were posted on Otter's Web site. There was no press release or formal announcement of the vetoes.

Cameron said lawmakers can re-open the budget or override the veto. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, said another possibility is raising the beer and wine tax, an idea that was rumored earlier in the session.

Senate Minority Leader Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, said the vetoes will hurt the state's ability to continue working on community-based treatment programs rather than relying on prisons.

"Those are two things that we're doing right," he said upon leaving the Capitol Annex. "That's remarkable (Otter would veto)."

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said the two chamber's leadership teams will work together on a solution.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 420-8371 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com