BOISE -- Before declaring the issue resolved in Idaho, Gov. Butch Otter is waiting on details of the President Obama's new plan to give states $25 billion to shore up Medicaid programs .
Obama's aides Friday confirmed the president will propose extending until July of next year help that states got in last year's economic stimulus bill with their Medicaid programs.
Otter had proposed setting aside $71 million from Idaho's share of the big 1998 settlement with tobacco companies to shore up Medicaid -- in case Washington, D.C. didn't come through.
Not needing the tobacco money for Medicaid would leave Idaho with millions more in reserves to address other looming budget issues for 2011 and 2012, including schools.
Jon Hanian, Otter's spokesman, learned of Obama's proposal from a reporter and declined to comment.
Congressional Democrats aim to approve the money quickly so state governments like Idaho can plan next year's budgets.
