Alex Morrell reports that, as the Idaho Legislature enters its final push in 2012, the Senate and House still have big-ticket bills to reconcile before heading home, including legislation on tax cuts and teacher salaries.

Several controversial measures — such as an abortion ultrasound bill, a ban on industrial wind farms and a state health-insurance exchange — may wind up on the cutting room floor as lawmakers hone in on the higher priority legislation.

Lawrence Denney, House speaker, said the decks have been mostly cleared to tackle a Senate-passed, five-year plan for teacher salaries, tax cuts and possibly making baby steps toward limiting a hated tax on business equipment.