>> Announcer: WELCOME TO THE IDAHO DEBATE.

TONIGHT A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THE IDAHO DEBATES IS ORGANIZED BY THESE PARTNERS.

FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, THE IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION INDOWNTOWN -- ENDOWMENT, AND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE IDAHO DEBATES IN BOISE.

THIS IS THE FOURTH AND FINAL DEBATE WHERE HOSTING BEFORE THE NOVEMBER 8TH GENERAL ELECTION.

TONIGHT THE CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAKE THE STAGE TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PRESIDES OVER THE IDAHO STATE SENATE AND BREAKS TIES IF NECESSARY.

THEY ALSO FILL IN WHEN THE GOVERNOR IS INCAPACITATED OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO SERVE, AND IF THE GOVERNOR STEPS DOWN OR IS PERMANENTLY UNABLE TO SERVE FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAKES OVER THE OFFICE.

I WANT TO WELCOME THE CANDIDATES, TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER AND SCOTT BEDKE.

TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER IS A TRIAL LAWYER AND A FOUNDING PARTNER OF PICKENS LAW.

SHE'S A FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER IN NEZ PERCE COUNTY AND IS A RESYIENT OF THE DENISE O'DONNELL DAY PRO BONOY AWARD.

SCOTT BEDKE HAS SERVED FIVE TIMES AS SPEAK OF THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HE WAS FIRST RE-ELECTED TO THE HOUSE IN 2002.

HE'S ALSO FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE IDAHO CAT ASSOCIATION.

OUR PANEL OF REPORTERS, BETSYE OF THE IDAHO PRESS.

I'M MORD RATES TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

HELPING US KEEP TIME IS ELINOR CHEHEY.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN 90 SECONDS FOR OPENING COMMENTS AND 60 SECONDS FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

CANDIDATES WILL ALSO HAVE 90 SECONDS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND 60 SECONDS FOR FOLLOW-UPS AND REBUTTALS.

I WILL ALLOW SOME BACK AND FORTH IF I THINK THE CONVERSATION IS PRODUCTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL FOR VOTERS, WHILE TRYING TO MAKE SURE EACH CANDIDATE GETS AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF TIME.

WE FLIPPED A COIN AND SEE WHO GOES FIRST.

TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER, YOU HAVE THAT HONOR.

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU TO THE OHIO TELEVISION, MELISSA DAVLIN, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, OUR PANELISTS, AND MR. BEDKE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY FAMILY FOR GOING ON THIS CAMPAIGN JOURNEY WITH ME, SO THANK YOU.

I'M A MOM.

I'M A WIFE.

I'M A BUSINESS OWNER.

I'M A 25-YEAR TRIAL ATTORNEY.

I'M A GUN OWNER.

I'M AN OHIOAN.

-- IDAHOIAN.

I'VE THE EXPERIENCE OF LIVING IN THREE CORNERS IN THIS STATE.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN POKE TELLO.

I WENT TO BE LAW SCHOOL AND PRACTICED IN NORTH IDAHO AND I'VE BEEN IN THE TREASURE VALLEY FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE ISSUES THAT FACE THE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS STATE.

I UNDERSTAND OUR DIFFERENCES, CULTURALLY, DEMOGRAPHICALLY, AND GEOGRAPHICALLY.

BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND OUR SIMILARITIES.

AND THE VALUES THAT UNITE US AS IDAHOANS.

ONE MESSAGE I HAVE HEARD AS I'VE TRAVELED ACROSS THIS STATE, PLEASE STOP THE CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL.

I'M RUNNING TO RESTORE BALANCE AND TO STOP THE GROWING EXTREMISM IN THIS STATE.

SO WE CAN FOCUS ON THE ISSUES THAT ACTUALLY MATTER TO IDAHOANS.

SUPPORTING AND FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUR PRECIOUS PUBLIC LANDS, PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, ENSURE SAFE AND UPDATED INFRASTRUCTURE, AND FUND LENDL FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST A FEW.

IF YOU ELECT ME AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO RESTORE INTEGRITY, COURAGE, AND LEADERSHIP TO THAT OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SPEAKER BEDKE?

>> THANK YOU, MELISSA, AND IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M SCOTT BEDKE.

MY WIFE SARAH AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 42 YEARS.

WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND 14 GRANDCHILDREN.

ALL THAT LIVE HERE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

WE ARE FOURTH-GENERATION CATTLE RANCHERS FROM OAKLEY.

WE RANCH IN THE SAME AREA THAT MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER HOMESTEADED IN THE 18 70S.

WE ALL KNOW THAT IDAHO IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.

WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN THE NATION.

OTHERS WANT WHAT WE HAVE.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THE LIGHTEST POSSIBLE TOUCH OF GOVERNMENT.

WE'VE ALWAYS LIVED WITHIN THE TAXPAYERS' MEANS.

WE DELIVERED RECORD TAX CUTS THAT HAVE LED TO A VERY POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE.

ALL OF THIS HAS ENABLED US TO BE ABLE TO PUT RECORD INVESTMENTS BACK INTO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS AND INTO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS.

A POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE HAS TO HAVE A QUALITY EDUCATION COMPONENT.

IN FACT, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING IDAHO KIDS WITH IDAHO JOBS.

THIS IS THE IDAHO WAY.

THAT'S A TERM WE ALL THROW AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

BUT HERE'S WHAT IT MEANS TO ME.

IT MEANS DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR EVERY IDAHO CITIZEN.

IT MEANS WAVING AS YOU PASS SOMEONE ON A RURAL IDAHO ROAD.

IT MEANS LETTING SOMEONE IN WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO AMERICAN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

IDAHO HAS BEEN DISCOVERED AND THERE'S NO GOING BACK.

WE CAN'T LET ALL OF THIS NEW GROWTH CHANGE WHO WE ARE.

THAT'S MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING.

AND I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE A WEEK FROM TUESDAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OUR FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM RYAN SUPPE.

>> THE FIRST QUESTION GOES TO MS. PICKENS MANWEILER.

YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER BUT HAVE NEVER HELD PUBLIC OFFICE.

YOU ARE ALSO A LONG-TIME REPUBLICAN.

WHY ARE YOU SEEKING OFFICE NOW AS A DEMOCRAT AND WHY START WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SEAT?

>> THANKS, RYAN.

A GREAT QUESTION.

ALL THINGS TRUE, YES.

I WAS A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN.

IN 2016 SOMETHING CHANGED.

THE PARTY STARTED TO CHANGE.

AND AFTER TBANS, I KNEW -- 2020, I KNEW THAT I COULD NO LONGER BE PART OF A PARTY THAT, ONE, WAS CHALLENGING DEMOCRACY AND COOPERATE ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS.

AND TWO, WAS STEERING FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM ISSUES THAT I HELD DEAR.

I CHOSE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S RACE BECAUSE THE PRESENT OCCUPANT OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS REALLY CREATED A SITUATION IN IDAHO WHERE WE ARE LOOKED AT NATIONALLY AS LESS THAN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- OFFICE HAS BEEN DISRESPECTED, I THINK IT'S BEEN ABUSED, AND I CHOSE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S RACE BECAUSE I THINK I CAN RESTORE BALANCE TO THAT OFFICE.

I'M A 25-YEAR TRIAL LAWYER BUT ALSO A CERTIFIED MEDIATOR.

WE NEED TO INCLUDE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT WHEN PEOPLE ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS BEEN HELD BY A REPUBLICAN FOR THE PAST 30 SOME YEARS.

AND IT'S TIME THAT THERE IS SOME BALANCE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, PARTICULARLY WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

I CAN GO IN THERE WITH MY VALUES AND MY VIEWS AND I CAN PROVIDE THAT DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT.

I CAN BE THE BALANCE IN THE ROOM.

I CAN BE THAT OTHER VOICE THAT HASN'T BEEN HEARD IN THIS STATE FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS.

AND I DO INTEND TO BRING THAT VOICE TO THE OFFICE AND I DO PLAN TO BRING MY MEDIATION SKILLS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> TO YOU, SPEAKER BEDKE.

YOU'VE SPENT 11 TERMS IN THE HOUSE AND BEEN SPEAKER SINCE 2012.

YOU'VE SEEN LEGISLATORS COME AND GO AND BILLS FAST AND -- PASS AND FAIL.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOES NOT DRAFT LEGISLATION, THEY DO NOT CAUCUS, AND THE PERSON RARELY VOTES ON LEGISLATION.

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

>> WELL, AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL DO WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE.

AND THAT WILL BE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

I HAVE, IF I'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, IT'S BECAUSE I'VE TACKLED SOME OF THE HARD ISSUES.

JUST TO NAME A FEW, I WAS ASKED TO MEDIATE THE LONG-STANDING WATER DISPUTE IN THE -- IN THE MAGIC VALLEY ON THE EASTERN SNAKE PLAIN AQUIFER.

I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY BECAUSE I KNEW -- I KNOW THE ISSUE, I KNOW THE PLAYERS, I WAS ABLE TO BRING THEM ALL INTO THE SAME ROOM AS IT WERE, AND TO HAMMER OUT AN AGREEMENT THAT HOLDS TO THIS DAY, INCLUDING THROUGH THE LAST TWO DRY YEARS.

BEING THE SPEAKER IS ALL ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SENT FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS FULL OF EVERY AREA'S FIRST CHOICE TO REPRESENT THEM IN BOISE.

SO IT'S NOT ONE -- SO THE SPEAKERSHIP IS NOT ONE OF PUTTING YOUR DESIRES OVER THE TOP OF THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S ABOUT BRINGING THEM TOGETHER, HAVING THEM TO WORK IN COMMITTEES, BRINGING -- FLESHING OUT THE IDEAS, AND THEN BRINGING THEM FORWARD.

AND THEN SEEING IF THEY GET A VOTE UP OR DOWN.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

MOVING TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL BE A CHALLENGE.

WE'LL BE ABLE TO PUT INTO ACTION ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HERE FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO.

WE'VE GOT A VERY POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE.

WE'VE BEEN DISCOVERED.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME GROWING PAINS, I BELIEVE THAT MY EXPERIENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE WILL HELP THE STATE OF IDAHO IN MY CAPACITY AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> MR. SPEAKER, MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO SHAPE HIS OR HER OWN ROLE.

FOR EXAMPLE, BRAD LITTLE FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

CURRENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JANIS McGUILLEN HAS HELD EDUCATION AND INTOCK CRIN -- INTOCK TRINNATION HEARINGS.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR ISSUES?

>> WE LIVE IN THE ARID WEST.

WE'RE THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN THE NATION AND WE'RE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY MORE WATER FROM MOTHER NATURE.

SO WE NEED TO STRETCH THAT WATER THAT WE HAVE, TO CONSERVE IT.

AND THEN TO HORN THE WATER RIGHT THAT IS THE STATE HAS -- HONOR THE WATER RIGHTS THAT THE STATE HAS GRANTED THROUGH THE YEARS.

THAT WILL BE A CHALLENGE.

I BRING PASSION TO THAT ISSUE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I LIVE.

THAT'S WHAT I DO.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME OTHER THINGS, HOWEVER, INCIDENT TO THE QUICK GROWTH THAT IDAHO HAS EXPERIENCED.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE FOR EVERY GALLON OF WATER, FOR EVERY LANE MILE, THERE'S GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR EVERY DESK IN EVERY SCHOOL.

AND I THINK THAT WE'VE GOT TO FACE THE REALITIES AND -- AND ADDRESS THESE ISSUES INCIDENT TO GROWTH.

WE'RE STARTING TO NOT PASS SCHOOL BONDS AROUND THIS STATE.

I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE AN AREA WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONCENTRATE.

IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD SCHOOLS WITH PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS, THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD THEM WITH OTHER DOLLARS, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS DUTY BOUND BY THE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE A GENERAL UNIFORM THOROUGH SYSTEM OF FREE SCHOOLS.

AND THAT INCLUDES A SAFE SCHOOL.

>> A FOLLOW-UP, MR. SPEAKER.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE A SPRINGBOARD TO THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR.

DO YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNOR SOMEDAY?

>> WE'LL CROSS ALL OF THOSE BRIDGES WHEN WE COME TO IT.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME IS WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS SEEN.

I WORKED WITH -- WORKED WELL WITH FOUR DIFFERENT GOVERNORS AND CLOSELY WITH THE LAST TWO.

WE HAVE A COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

I DON'T THINK THAT -- I DON'T EXPECT THAT TO CHANGE WHEN I BECOME THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

YOU KNOW, IT'S SAID THAT -- YOU KNOW, IN THE ROOM, THERE NEEDS TO BE DIVERSITY OF OPINION.

THAT'S FROM SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN IN THE ROOM.

THERE IS DIVERSITY OF OPINION.

AND WIDELY SO.

AND I -- AS YOU KNOW, BETSY, I'M NOT A SHRINKING VIOLET, BUT ONCE THE DECISION IS MADE, I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NUMBER ONE AND THE NUMBER TWO.

AND SO WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME IS A RETURN OF DIGNITY TO THE OFFICE.

YOU CAN EXPECT ME WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MUTUAL GOALS.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, THE SAME QUESTION.

IF ELECTED WHAT WILL BE YOUR PRIORITIES IN THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AN OFFICE IN WHICH THE PAST OCCUPANTS HAD FAIRLY WIDE LATITUDE IN SHAPING -- THEIR OWN PRIORITIES?

>> THERE ARE TWO PRIORITIES.

FIRST ONE IS TO RESTORE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM TO THIS STATE.

THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN LONG IMPORTANT TO ME.

IT'S BEEN SMOG I HAVE -- SOMETHING I HAVE FOUGHT DECADES FOR.

AND TO LIVE IN A STATE WHERE MY DAUGHTER DOES NOT HAVE THE PROTECTIONS AND FREEDOMS I'VE HAD MY WHOLE LIFE IS A REAL BIG CHALLENGE FOR ME AND I DO PLAN ON ADDRESSING IT, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE OR IF IT'S CREATING A BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT CAN BE PUT THROUGH.

BUT I DO PLAN TO FOCUS MY EFFORTS ON RESTORING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM TO THE STATE.

THE SECOND THING I'M GOING TO DO IS ADDRESS THE RISE OF EXTREMISM IN THIS STATE.

AND WE CAN DO IT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE TORE 20 -- FOR 20 YEARS.

IN THAT TIME HE'S FAILED TO REIN IN THE EXTREMISM GROWING IN HIS OWN PARTY, IN HIS OWN HOUSE CAUCUS.

AND WHAT I PLAN TO DO AS THE NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS MAKE SURE THAT WHEN LEGISLATION IS BROUGHT, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE A LIAISON FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THROUGH THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THAT I WILL MAKE SURE THAT LEGISLATION THAT IS PROPOSED HAS SOME BACKING IN REALITY TRUTH AND SCIENCE, THAT IT'S NOT FANTASY AND FICTION, THAT IT'S BASED IN REALITY.

SO THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS I'D REALLY LIKE TO ADDRESS IN MY TIME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND WITH -- WITH THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN YOIFTD, WE NEED -- IDAHO, WE NEED A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO CAN STAND UP TO THOSE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND STAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

-- SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> DO YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNOR SOMEDAY?

>> I'LL BE HONEST, I'VE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING GOVERNOR.

WHEN I CHOSE THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT -- PRESENT OCCUPANT OF THE OFFICE.

I MADE THAT DECISION TO RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THE INTEGRITY OF THIS OFFICE.

AND THAT IS MY GOAL, IS TO RESTORE THE INTEGRITY OF THIS OFFICE.

>> WE'LL TOUCH ON MORE OF THOSE ISSUES LATER, BUT THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM RYAN SUPPE.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, IF YOU FACED A SITUATION IN WHICH YOU DISAGREED WITH THE GOVERNOR, SUCH AS YOU DO ON ABORTION WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNOR WHO'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, WOULD YOU SEEK TO UNDERMINE HIS POSITION?

>> THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

NO, I WOULD NOT UNDERMINE THE PRESENT GOVERNOR.

IF WE HAVE DIFFERENT POLITICAL VIEWS.

THE WHOLE POINT OF RUNNING AND BEAK THAT OPPOSING VOICE IN THE ROOM IS TO OFFER ON THE PERSPECTIVE.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND I'VE LEARNED AS A TRIAL ATTORNEY, YOU CAN PUT ON YOUR CASE, YOU CAN TELL YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A SECOND SIDE TO THE STORY.

THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG.

LIKE IS GOING WRONG IN OUR STATE WITH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

I WOULD TALK TO THE GOVERNOR WITH RESPECT AND I WOULD AFFORD HIM OR HER THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

I DO IT EVERY DAY IN COURT.

I'M USED TO BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS PROVIDE THE PERSPECTIVE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE.

AND BECAUSE WE'VE SHIFTED SO FAR TO THE RIGHT IN THIS STATE, THEY'RE LITERALLY HEARING THE INFORMATION IN THEIR THOUGHT BUBBLE.

THEY'RE NOT HEARING THE BIGGER PICTURE OF WHAT IDAHOIANCE WANT AND I PLAN TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION WHILE AT THE TABLE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> JUST A QUICK FOLLOW-UP.

WHO DO YOU SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR AND WHY?

>> SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THAT EACH OF THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR -- I DON'T KNOW OF TWO.

I KNOW THERE ARE FIVE, I THINK.

THE THREE THAT I'M AWARE OF, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS SOME CHALLENGES THAT I HAVE.

I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE PRESENT GOLFER WHO HAS SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT HE KNOWS TO BE CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I -- I DON'T KNOW MR. HITE VERY WELL, SO I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO MAKE THAT DECISION TODAY.

I CAN TELL YOU WHO I'M NOT GONNA VOTE FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THAT'S AMMON BUNDY.

THE REASON I'M RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE IS TO RESTORE BALANCE, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY TO THE OFFICE.

HE'S -- HE HOLDS VIEWS THAT I DON'T BELIEVE ARE WHAT THE REST OF IDAHO FEELS AND SO I CAN TELL YOU WHO I'M NOT VOTE INFORMATION FOR.

>> -- NOT VOTING FOR.

>> I'M VOTING FOR BRAD LITTLE.

>> YOU'VE BEEN CLOSELY ALLIED WITH GOVERNOR LITTLE, YOU'VE ALSO DISAGREED WITH HIM, INCLUDE OGPANDEMIC EMERGENCY POWERS AND WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CALL ITSELF INTO SESSION.

HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THOSE DISAGREEMENTS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, I'LL HANDLE THEM LIKE I DID AS THE SPEAKER.

I WENT AND I SAT DOWN WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I -- YOU KNOW, I WALKED THROUGH THE CONCERNS THAT I WAS HEARING FROM THE VARIOUS LEGISLATORS.

AND WE TALKED IT THROUGH.

HE EXPLAINED THINGS THAT I DIDN'T -- THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF.

AND I BELIEVE THAT MAYBE I DID THE SAME.

THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

WE TALKED IT OVER.

AND WE -- AND HE WEIGHED THE EVIDENCE AND THEN HE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION.

I BELIEVE THAT -- I MEAN, WE WERE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NO ONE KNEW HOW BAD IT WAS GOING TO BE OR -- OR WHAT TO EXPECT.

AND SO THERE WAS SOME ERRING ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION I BELIEVE TO BEGIN WITH.

YOU KNOW, I IMAGINE YOU HAVE THE LETTER THAT I WROTE TO HIM IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND MY CONCERNS THEN WERE THAT LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER.

I MEAN, WE'RE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

THE PRECEDENCE THAT WE SET HERE DURING THIS PANDEMIC WILL BE THE ONES THAT WE LIVE WITH DOWN THE ROAD.

AND THOSE WERE MY CONCERNS.

THAT LETTER ALSO SAID THAT I SUPPORTED HIS ULTIMATE DECISION AND WE WOULD WORK TOGETHER IN WHATEVER CAPACITY THAT -- WHATEVER THAT TOOK.

HE ULTIMATELY CALLED US BACK INTO SESSION AND YOU -- YOU ALL KNOW THE RESULTS OF THAT.

>> AND A QUICK FOLLOW-UP.

IF GOVERNOR LITTLE WEREN'T TO WIN NEXT MONTH, WOULD YOU SEEK TO UNDERMINE THE POSITION OF A GOVERNOR WHO WAS NOT FROM YOUR POLITICAL PARTY WHO YOU DIDN'T AGREE WITH?

>> NO.

IN MY PROFESSION, WE HAVE A CONCEPT CALLED WRITING FOR THE BRAND.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN, THEY WILL HAVE CHOSEN THEIR GOVERNOR AND THEIR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND THEN IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO FULFILL THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE RESPECTIVE OFFICES.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE -- REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS THE GOVERNORSHIP, THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE -- THE RESULTS AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE HAD IN MY YEARS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I THINK THAT THAT -- THOSE RESULTS, MY EXPERIENCE THERE, WILL BE USEFUL TO ANY GOVERNOR.

AND MAYBE MORE FOR SOME THAN OTHERS, ACTUALLY.

BUT IT -- BUT I WILL DO MY JOB AS AN OHIOAN AND AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IT WILL NEVER BE TO UNDERMINE.

THAT IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

IF I'VE HEARD ONE THING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, IT IS FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES, DON'T EMBARRASS THE STATE AS A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> MR. SPEAKER, SEVERAL PIECES OF ANTIABORTION LEGISLATION THAT YOU SUPPORTED IN THE HOUSE ARE NOW BEING CHALLENGED IN THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT AND ONE BILL T ABORTION BAN, WAS SUBJECT TO A PARTIAL INJUNCTION FROM A FEDERAL JUDGE WITH REGARD TO HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS.

YOU AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CHUCK WINDER USING TAXPAYER FUNDS ARE SEEKING TO OVERTURN THAT INJUNCTION.

WHY AND WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT THAT TRIGGER LAW BANNING ALMOST ALL ABORTIONS WITH NO EXCEPTION FOR THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER IS THE RIGHT POLICY FOR IDAHO?

>> WELL, I DISAGREE THAT THE EXCEPTIONS FOR THEIR LIVES OF THE MOTHER IS NOT IN THERE BECAUSE -- >> IT'S THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER THAT'S NOT IN THERE.

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT -- WELL, LET'S BACK UP.

>> OKAY.

>> I HAVE A CLEAR TRACK RECORD OF BEING PRO-LIFE.

I'M UNAPOLOGETIC ABOUT THAT.

I AM AGAINST ELECTIVE ABORTION.

BUT I'M A FATHER.

I'M A GRANDFATHER.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IN CERTAIN NARROW CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE'S GOT TO HAVE SOME EXCEPTIONS.

AND I'VE SUPPORTED THOSE THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE -- THAT THAT VIEW IS WIDELY HELD IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THAT IS THE VIEW THAT WAS IN THE LEGISLATION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

NOW, AS THE PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND WE'RE EXPECTING TO DEFENDANT THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT YOU SAW US DO.

I THINK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE IN THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION, IN THE PRIVACY ARTICLES, TO FIND A RIGHT FOR ABORTION AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WORTH DEFENDING IN THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT.

I BELIEVE THAT -- IN THE SIMILAR WAY, WITH THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION, THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE DEFENDED AS WELL.

JUST BECAUSE WE TAKE FEDERAL DOLLARS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE FEDERAL POLICIES.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE FEDERAL LAW SAID.

>> WHY IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEND MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON LEGAL FIGHTS IN COURT WHEN THE IDAHO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ALREADY IS CHARGED WITH DEFENDING THE LAWS OF THE STATE AGAINST COURT CHALLENGES?

>> WELL, AGAIN, AS THE PRESIDING OFFICERS, WE DO WHAT IF MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE -- WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE WANTS TO DO.

IN THIS CASE WE WANTED TO DEFEND OUR WORK PRODUCT.

THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

THAT'S OUR PREROGATIVE AS AN EQUAL BUT SEPARATE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.

AND SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THE COURT SAYS.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, YOUR CAMPAIGN HAS CALLED THE ABORTION LEGISLATION, QUOTE, CRUEL AND INHUMANE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ON ABORTION AND WHY?

AND WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAVE ON THIS ISSUE WHEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOESN'T VOTE ON LEGISLATION EXCEPT TO BREAK A TIE IN THE SENATE?

>> GREAT QUESTION, BETSY.

I CAN TELL YOU, FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU CAN'T CLAIM TO BE PRO-LIFE WHEN YOU'RE ACTIVELY OPPOSING A LAWSUIT THAT'S SOLE PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF PREGNANT WOMEN.

AND THE ABORTION LAW IN IDAHO BEING CHALLENGED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WHICH MY OPPONENT DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION, BY THE WAY.

HE ANSWERED ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT CASE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S SOLE PURPOSE IN THAT LAWSUIT IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE HEALTH AND LIFE OF THE MOTHER SHOULD THEY GO INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE.

MY OPPONENT IS ACTIVELY FIGHTING A LAWSUIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT LAW STAYS IN PLACE.

NOW, WHAT I'M HEARING IS AS A LEGISLATOR, YOU MAKE THAT POLICY BASED ON WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, NOT WHAT THE LEGISLATORS WANT.

80% OF THE PEOPLE IN IDAHO EXPECT AND WANT TO HAVE ABORTION AVAILABLE IN SOME SITUATIONS.

I AM FINE WITH THERE BEING EXCEPTIONS.

VIEBLGHT, RECORDS WAS GREAT -- VIABILITY, RHODES WAS -- ROE VS. WADE WAS GREAT.

IT WAS VERY CLEAR WHAT DOCTORS COULD AND COULDN'T DO.

IT IS VERY CLEAR HOW LEGISLATORS COULD LEGISLATE OR NOT.

WE'RE NOW IN A VOID BECAUSE OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISION.

AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL THREE ABORTION BANS, THE TWO CRIMINAL BANS AND THE ONE CIVIL BAN, COMPLETELY REPEALED.

NOW, BECAUSE A GOOD PORS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO SUPPORTS ABORTION CARE, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT A BALLOT INITIATIVE WILL BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL IN IDAHO AND AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I WILL USE MY NETWORKING SKILLS WITH THE LEGISLATORS.

BUT IF I HAVE TO TAKE THIS TO THE PEOPLE, I WILL.

>> YOU'RE ADVOCATING A RETURN TO THE ROE STAND?

>> THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CASEY STANDARD IS A LITTLE BIT MORE NARROW AND NUANCED.

AND I WON'T BORE THE FOLLOWERS AND THE PEOPLE WATCHING WITH LEGAL PRECEDENT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, A DOCTOR EEDS TO KNOW WHAT HE'S SUPPOSED TO -- CAN OR CAN'T DO AND TODAY IN IDAHO DOCTORS DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE CAN THINK -- THEY CAN PROVIDE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN PROTECT THE WOMAN IF SHE'S JUST GOING TO BE SICK OR DIE, AND AT WHAT POINT IS SHE GOING TO DIE.

MY OPPONENT MAKES REFERENCE TO EXCEPTIONS.

I THINK THAT'S DOES INJENUUSE -- DISENJENNUOUS.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE CALLED AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES.

MEANS HE'S ALREADY BEEN CHARGED.

HE'S GOT TO DEFEND HIMSELF IN COURT.

THAT IS AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES CAN BE USED AS A POSSIBILITY OF NOT BEING PROSECUTED AND FOUND GUILTY.

SO IT'S DISINGENUOUS TO SAY DOCTORS WON'T BE CRIMINALIZED AND WOMEN WON'T BE CRIMMIZED IN THIS STATE.

>> SPEAKER BED KE, 30 SECONDS -- BEDKE, 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> WELL, I OPPOSE ABORTION EXCEPT IN THE RARE CASES OF RAPE, INCEST, AND WHEN THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS IN JEOPARDY.

I BELIEVE THE DOCTORS AND HEALTHCARE GIVERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR JOB IN THE AREAS OF MISCARRIAGE MANAGEMENT AND FERTILITY QUESTIONS, LIKE THAT.

I -- AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE BILLS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, IS NO ELECTIVE ABORTIONS, BUT WITH THESE EXCEPTIONS, AND LET A DOCTOR BE A DOCTOR.

>> 30 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I DO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT.

TO CALL IT MISCARRIAGE MISMANAGEMENT AND ISSUES WITH PREGNANCY, THOSE ARE NOT IN THE STATUTE.

DOCTORS ABSOLUTELY DO NOT KNOW.

MY OPPONENT WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS WRITTEN INTO THIS DRACONIAN LAW.

THERE ARE NOT.

WHEN WOMEN GO IN TO GET MEDICAL CARE, THEY CANNOT GET ABORTION CARE IN IDAHO AND IF THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS AT RISK, RIGHT NOW, THE DOCTORS IN THE HOSPITALS DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CAN PROVIDE.

>> IF I MAY JUST A QUICK FOLLOW-UP TO SPEAKER BEDKE, YOU SAID THAT YOU OPPOSE ABORTION EXCEPT IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST OR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER?

THAT'S THE ISSUE IN THE FEDERAL CASE?

>> AND I'LL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS AND WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

>> WELL, UNDER A COMPETENT DOCTOR'S CARE, THEY HAVE TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT.

AND I WILL BE DIFFERENTIAL TO THAT DOCTOR.

AND I THINK THAT THE -- THAT THE LAW DIDN'T PRE-YOU KNOW, DIDN'T PREDETERMINE THE SECOND GUESSING THE DOCTOR.

IT TALKS ABOUT COMPETENT CARE, ET CETERA.

YOU KNOW, THE BEAUTY -- >> THE LAW JUST -- >> THE COURT IS GOING TO DECIDE.

AND IF -- AND THERE ARE THE VAGUERIES DESCRIBED IN THE LAW, I BELIEVE MOST IDAHOIANS ARE AGAINST ABORTION EXCEPT IN THE RASH CASES WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

AND IF THE COURT FINDS THAT IT IS VAGUE, THEN THE BEAUTY OF OUR SYSTEM IS THE LEGISLATURE CAN COME BACK AND FILL IN THE HOLES.

>> WE DO NEED TO MOVE ON.

THE NEXT QUESTION FROM RYAN.

>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES.

CURRENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RECENTLY GAVE HER FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT A PAY RAISE THAT WILL ACCOUNT FOR ALMOST 40% OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL OFFICE BUDGET.

AS A RESULT, YOU COULD QUICKLY FACE -- A BUDGET SHORTFALL.

HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THE SITUATION AND WE'LL START WITH MS. PICKENS MANWEILER.

>> THANK YOU.

YES, I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING VERY CLOSELY THE BUDGET OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WHEN I'M LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, IT'S GOING TO MATTER.

BECAUSE I DO HAVE GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS TO HAVE STAFF MEMBERS ON STAFF THAT CAN HELP ME COMMIT TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO FOR THIS STATE.

IT IS CHALLENGING TO KNOW YOU'RE GOING INTO IS A BUDGET SHORTFALL.

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS, IS THAT WE DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE IN JANUARY AND ASK IF THEY'LL MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE, BECAUSE IN THIS MER CASE, WHOEVER IS ELECTED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS GOING TO FACE THE SAME PROBLEM GOING INTO THAT OFFICE.

THAT THE PRESENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS MISMANAGED HER BUDGET, HAS GIVEN POLITICAL FAVORS TO FRIENDS, AND IS USING THE PRESENT BUDGET OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE INAPPROPRIATELY.

>> SPEAKER BEDKE, SAME QUESTION.

>> WELL, MY OTHER LIFE I'M A CATTLE RANCHER, SO WE'LL GET BY.

WE WILL DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS -- AS WAS SAID, THERE WILL BE -- CHANCE TO GET A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET FOR THAT OFFICE IF THE LEGISLATURE CHOOSES, THEN SO BE IT.

IF THEY DON'T, THEN WE'LL MAKE IT WORK UNTIL THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT STARTS THE FOLLOWING JUNE OR JULY 1.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN OBSTACLE HERE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO STOP ME FROM PUTTING THE MILES IN THAT WE'VE BEEN ALWAYS PUTTING IN.

IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP ME FROM BEING AN ACTIVE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND BEING OUT AROUND THE STATE, BRINGING THE CONCERNS AND THE INTERESTS BACK TO THE CABINET MEETINGS, AND TAKING THEM UP.

WE WILL MAKE IT WORK.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> IDAHO IS SEEING A RISE IN EXTREMISM.

AND DIVISIVE POLITICAL RHETORIC.

RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS INCLUDING A 2021 SURVEY FROM THE FRANK CHURCH INSTITUTE AT BOISE STATE SHOWED 20% OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVE VIOLENCE IS JUSTIFIED IF THEY DON'T THINK THEIR GOVERNMENT IS ACTING IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.

SPEAKER BEDKE, YOU HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP IN 10 YEARS AND WONDER WHERE OUR IDAHO WENT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT PERHAPS WE'RE GETTING THERE ALREADY?

WE HAVE RISING INTOLERANCE, BOOK BANNING, VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND GROUPS ACTIVELY WORKING TO UNDERMINE OUR INSTITUTIONS THROUGH DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS.

HOW DID WE GET HERE WITH YOU AT THE HELM OF THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND HOW WOULD ELECTING YOU AS ALREADY GUT AFFECT THESE TRENDS?

>> WELL, LET'S BE CLEAR.

I OPPOSE EXTREMISM ON EITHER SIDE OF THE POLITICAL POLE.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NONPRODUCTIVE AND IT'S ANTITHETICAL TO OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

YOU KNOW, TO THINK THAT THE SPEAKER CAN SINGLE-HANDEDLY PUT A STOP TO EVERYTHING THAT HE OR SHE DOESN'T LIKE IS TO BE A ONE-TERM SPEAKER.

THEY TRUST ME WITH THE POWERS OF THE OFFICE.

BUT THEY DID NOT TRUST ME TO -- TO BE A HEAVY HAND.

AGAIN, EVERY PART OF THE STATE SENDS THEIR FIRST CHOICE TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS IN BOISE.

NOW, I DO NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE EXTREMISM THAT IS OUT THERE.

I DON'T SUPPORT THE PICKETTING AT PEOPLE'S HOMES.

I DON'T SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, THAT -- THERE ALWAYS BEING A RANCOROUS DISCUSSION.

I DON'T SUPPORT THE PUSHING THROUGH THE DOORS AT THE CAPITOL AND THE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT WERE HAPPENED THERE, BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT.

WE'RE BETTER HERE IN IDAHO.

I BELIEVE THE SILENT MAJORITY AT -- AROUND THE STATE WILL BEGIN TO REWARD THOSE THAT ARE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND NOT THOSE WHO ARE HERE TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

IT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH ANYBODY, THEN YOU'RE JUST MAKING A STATEMENT.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO GET 36 VOTES IN THE HOUSE, 18 IN THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS GOT TO THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA AS WELL.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, YOU'VE BEEN SPEAKING OUT AGAINST EXTREMISM AND IF ELECTED YOU WANT TO HAVE A STAFFER DESIGNATED TO RESEARCH BILLS THAT ARE BASED ON DISINFORMATION AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THEM.

HOW COULD YOU AFFORD TO DO THAT WITHIN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH?

>> I ACTUALLY DO THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN EASY THING TO DO, HAVE A RESEARCH ASSISTANT.

I ABSOLUTELY AM OPEN TO USING INTERNS.

I DON'T SUSPECT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM GETTING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

THE BUDGET OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DOES HAVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AVAILABLE AND RATHER THAN JUST SITTING AND ANSWERING PHONES, WHICH IS WHAT I BELIEVE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, THAT PERSON CAN ALSO BE DOING RESEARCH AND DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT BILLS ARE BASED ON INFORMATION OR WHETHER THEY'RE BASED ON FICTION.

AND I'M GOING TO USE THE EXAMPLE OF HOUSE BILL 666.

THE JAIL LIBRARIAN BILL.

WE TALK ABOUT RISE OF EXTREMISM IN THIS STATE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE AND REALIZE THAT THE PERSON THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT LEGISLATION HITS THE HOUSE FLOOR IS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

MY OPPONENT.

HOUSE BILL 666 WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE HOUSE FOR A FULL VOTE AND IT WAS ARGUED VERY PUBLICLY.

NOW, THAT'S A BILL THAT WOULD JAIL LIBRARIANS FOR LOANING OUT BOOKS THAT SOME STANDARD AND SOME LEGISLATORS MIND WAS LEGISLATOR'S MIND WAS TO BE TOO FENCIVE.

-- OFFENSESIVE.

SO THAT GAVE THAT ARGUMENT LEGITIMACY, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NONE TO IT.

YOU SAW LIBRARIANS BEING ATTACKED IN BONNERS FERRY.

ONE QUIT HER JOB BECAUSE SHE FEARED FOR HER SAFETY.

MEN SHOWED UP, PEOPLE SHOWED SHOWING UP ARMED IN MERIDIAN TO SCARE THEM.

BECAUSE THE HOUSE BILL WAS GIVEN A VOTE AND PASSED THE HOUSE.

>> SPEAKER BEDKE, 30 SECOND TO RESPOND.

>> IT PASSED THE HOUSE WITHOUT MY SUPPORT.

LET'S MAKE THAT KNOWN.

HERE'S WHAT -- SO THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE KNEE ON THIS -- ME ON THIS SUBJECT ARE THREE.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT THEM AND WE DO IN EVERY OTHER VENUE.

WE HAVE RATING SYSTEMS FOR OUR MOVIES, OUR VIDEO GAMES, OUR MUSIC, ET CETERA.

AND SO I DON'T THINK THAT -- YOU KNOW, I DON'T EXPECT WHEN MY GRANDKIDS GO TO A PUBLIC LIBRARY THAT THE QUESTIONABLE MATERIAL IS READILY AVAILABLE TO A MINOR.

THERE'S A LIBRARY BOARD.

MY TIME IS UP.

>> I'LL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS AND THEN WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.

>> THANK YOU.

I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN YOU GIVE SOMETHING LEGITIMACY BY LETTING IT HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR, THAT IS DOING SOMETHING.

THAT IS SUPPORTING IT.

NOW, WHETHER OR NOT MY OPPONENT WAS ON A BATHROOM BREAK AND DIDN'T VOTE, HIS VOTE WAS ABSENT.

IT'S NOT THAT HE DIDN'T SUPPORT IT AS THAT HE DIDN'T VOTE ON IT.

BUT HE KNOWS AS WELL AS ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND WATCHING STATEWIDE THAT HE COULD HAVE KILLED THAT BILL BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SENATE.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM RYAN.

>> SPEAKER BEDKE, MUCH OF YOUR CAMPAIGN IS TARGETED DECISIONS% MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

HOW CAN A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN IDAHO ALTER WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES?

>> WELL, WE CAN BAND WITH OTHER STATES.

YOU KNOW, I'VE GONE UP AND DOWN THE STATE AND THE CONCERNS THAT EVERY PERSON BRINGS TO ME ARE BASED IN THE FAILED DEMOCRAT POLICIES THAT WE ALL LIVE UNDER.

WE HAVE RECORD INFLATION.

EVERYTHING THAT WE TOUCH COSTS MORE THAN IT DID JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHETHER IT'S GASOLINE OR GROCERIES.

THERE'S A CONCERN THAT OUR -- THAT OUR COUNTRY IS NO LONGER ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

THERE'S GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE RISE IN DRUGS AND THE CRIME ASSOCIATED WITH DRUGS, PARTICULARLY OF FENTANYL IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH OUR OPEN BORDER POLICIES.

THESE ARE NOT GOOD POLICIES FOR IDAHO.

AND YOU KNOW, SO THAT -- THOSE ARE -- UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE FEDERAL POLICIES AFFECT US DRAMATICALLY HERE.

A SHERIFF HERE IN THE VALLEY SAID WE'RE ALL BORDER STATES NOW, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING THAT IS HAPPENING HERE AS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NEXT TO THE BORDER.

IT'S THAT SERIOUS, FOLKS.

I APPRECIATE IT BEING -- BEING APPOINTED TO THE WORKING GROUP, THAT IS -- THAT'S HAD A MULTIPLE MEETINGS AROUND THIS STATE.

WE'VE HAD TOWN HALL MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY TOPIC.

EVERY FINGER POINTS BACK TO THE OPEN BORDER POLICIES.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION AND SAME QUESTION TO YOU, WHAT'S THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S ROLE WHEN ADDRESSING THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL POLICIES IN IDAHO?

>> WELL, I SHOULD FEEL REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ACCORDING TO MY OPPONENT, HE IS RUNNING AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT HE'S BEEN SAYING FOR THE LAST YEAR.

I'VE BEEN IN THIS RACE FOR A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS AND HE'S NOT ONCE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT MY POLICIES.

SO I'M GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB AND SAY WITH -- MY POLICIES AREN'T SO FAR OFF FROM HIS BECAUSE WE'RE IDAHOIANS.

WE LIKE THE FEDS TO STAY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS.

BUT I'M NOT RUNNING AGAINST SOMEONE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I'M RUNNING AGAINST THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, SCOTT BEDKE.

I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HE SAYS ARE A PROBLEM COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

HE TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIME.

WELL, THERE'S ONLY ONE PERSON STANDING UP HERE THAT LITERALLY VOTED TO DEFUND POLICE.

AND THAT'S MY OPPONENT, WITH THE HOUSE BILL 389.

HE DEFUNDED MUNICIPALITIES, HE BOOTSTRAPPED THEM IN THEIR BUDGETING SO THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY LOST THEIR JOBS WERE POLICE OFFICERS.

SO WE TALK ABOUT CRIME.

ANOTHER THING IS THAT MY OPPONENT HAS ROUTINELY BLOCKED FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SOLVE A DRUG PROBLEM IS TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM AND THE MOST OFTEN THAT'S MENTAL ILLNESS.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME RATHER THAN JUST BLAME IT ON EVERYBODY ELSE AND NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY, I DON'T WANT TO BECOME A ONE-TERM SPEAKER.

>> SPEAKER BEDKE, 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> IT MAY TAKE A LITTLE LONGER THAN THAT.

TO TWIST HOUSE BILL 389 INTO DEFUNDING POLICE IS ABSURD.

THAT -- WAS ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES AND LIMITS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND TO STWRIENG THAT INTO FIRING -- STRING THAT INTO FIRING POLICE OFFICERS IS A HUMONGOUS STRETCH.

LET'S COMPARE -- CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE DEMOCRAT POLICIES AND THE REPUBLICAN POLICIES HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE STARK.

IN IDAHO WE'VE ALWAYS BACKED THE BLUE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE IF IT WERE DEMOCRAT-DOMINATED HERE, WOULD WE.

ASK YOURSELF THAT.

WE ALWAYS BACK THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE ALWAYS EMPOWER PARENTS IN EDUCATION CHOICES.

WOULD WE IF -- IF THE DEMOCRATS WERE IN CHARGE?

THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT I THINK ALL IDAHOIANS HAVE BEEN ASKING THEMSELVES.

WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN IDAHO BECAUSE WE'VE ALWAYS BACKED THE BLUE.

WE ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

WE ALWAYS EMPOWER PARENTS IN EDUCATION DECISIONS, ET CETERA.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER?

>> HOUSE BILL 389 DID HAVE A RESULT AND THIS IS WHY THE SHEIFF'S OFFICES, THE COUNTY OFFICIALS, ALL TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE SPEAKER AND SAID, IT WILL HURT OUR BUDGETS.

YOU KNOW WHO SUFFERED?

THE NAMPA POLICE OFFICER WHEN THEY HAD TO LAY OFF POLICE.

WHAT IS RIDICULOUS IS THE POLICIES IN WASHINGTON GOVERNS EVERYTHING THAT IN YOISTLED.

-- IDAHO.

>> AND WE HAVE POLICIES THAT MAKE IDAHO THE ENVY OF EVERY STATE.

PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE HERE BECAUSE OF WHAT WE'VE CREATED HERE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF MOVING HERE, THE NEXT QUESTION ON GROWTH IS FROM BETSY RUSSELL.

>> FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR, IDAHO WAS NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR GROWTH BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021 ACCORDING TO A U.S. CENSUS REPORT.

IDAHOIANS ARE SEEING -- IDAHOANS ARE SEEING MASSIVE BOTH AND CHANGE THAT'S IMPACTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS.

WHAT IS IDAHO'S ROLE OR YOUR ROLE AS POTENTIAL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN ENSURING THE STATE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH THAT IT CONTINUES TO SEE?

>> I'M NOT PINING FOR THE PAST, I'M ACTUALLY PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

AND WHAT I LOO LIKE -- WOULD -- WHAT I LOO -- WOULD LIKE TO BE IS BE THE LIAISON TO THE LEGISLATURE.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS WE CAN BE DOING TO PLAN FOR GROWTH.

THERE'S NO QUESTIO THAT I'VE HADIO IS PRO -- IDAHO IS GROWING IN A RAPID BASE.

HAS MY OPPONENT PROPERLY PLANNED FOR WHAT'S COMING THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

THE ANSWER IS NO.

EVERY TIME A TRANSPORTATION OR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, HE FINDS A WAY TO KILL IT.

I JUST LEARNED THAT.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOISTLED IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT BANS CARPOOL PLAINS.

-- LANES.

SO -- FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT IN 2021, THE IDAHO SENATE UNANIMOUSLY SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH THIS RULE BECAUSE THIS IS LIKE A KOZ-FREE WAY TO EASE ON OUR -- COST-FREE WAY TO EASE ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAFFIC.

MY OPPONENT KEPT BILLING THAT I WILL -- KILLING THAT BILL AND SENDING IT BACK.

EVEN WITH THE UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE SENATE, IT COULD GET A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

MY OPPONENT HAD THE GAVEL IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE, THE MORE MODERATING VOICE, IN THIS STATE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, SAID GO DO THIS AND MR. SPEAKER'S HOUSE ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT.

SO NOW IN IDAHO, NO CARPOOL LANES.

WE CAN'T EASY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ZERO DOLLARS.

>> SPEAKER BEDKE, YOU HAVE DISCUSSED WORKING TO ENSURE THAT GROWTH PAYS FOR ITSELF.

IS TELL US WHAT UMBY THAT AND -- WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT AND DID YOU KILL THE PAR COOL LANES?

>> NO OR THE -- OR THE CARPOOL LANES.

AND I -- WE COULD LOOK IT UP, BUT I'M SURE THAT -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOT A HEARING IN THE COMMITTEE OR WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE WAS THERE.

WHAT WAS THE OTHER PART?

[LAUGHTER] >> HOW DO ENSURE THAT GROWTH PAYS FOR ITSELF.

BUT BEFORE WE MOVE ON, TELL US, WHAT DO YOU THINK -- >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> WELL -- >> IF GROWTH -- IF I IMPROVE MY PROPERTY ON MY SIDE OF THE LINE AND THAT RAISES MS. MANWEILER'S PROPERTY TAXES, THEN MY GROWTH -- COST FOR THAT WAS SHARED BY BOTH OF US.

SO I MEAN, IT'S AN EASY CONCEPT.

THE GROWTH SHOULD PAY FOR GROWTH.

NOT LET'S COIN A PHRASE HERE, LEGACY CITIZENS.

ALL THIS GROWTH IS ALSO COMING BACK AND IS BEING PAID FOR BY THOSE THAT WERE HERE BEFORE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S OVERLY FAIR.

I THINK IDAHOANS EXPECT THERE TO BE COST OF LIVING EXINCOLORADO EVENING NEWSES IN -- EXPENSES.

YOU COULD MAKE A STRONG CASE THAT GROWTH IS NOT PAYING FOR ITSELF.

SO I -- I BELIEVE THAT THE REVENUES FROM GROWTH MORE EASILY ACCRUE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND NOT IN THE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN COLLECTIVELY PRETTY STINGY WITH SENDING THOSE MONEYS BACK TO THE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT AND MAYBE THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO STIFLE ANY OF THOSE TYPE OF DISCUSSIONS OR CARPOOL LANES, EITHER.

SO THAT'S WHAT IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, IS WHAT WOULD DOING -- WE'RE DOING -- IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WORKED IN THE PAST.

IF IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK IN THE PAST, WE HAVE GOT -- WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES AND TO THE CITIZENS TO FIND SOMETHING THAT DOES WORK.

AND I THINK IT'S A BASIC CONCEPT OF FAIRNESS THAT GROWTH SHOULD PAY FOR ITSELF.

>> WE DO NEED TO MOVE ON.

THE NEXT QUESTION FROM RYAN.

>> STICKING WITH GROWTH, IDAHO IS SEEING INCREASED PRESSURE ON PUBLIC LANDS.

DOES THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAVE A ROLE IN LAND MANAGEMENT?

IF SO, HOW WILL YOU WORK WITH FEDERAL, TRIBAL, AND COUNTY PARTNERS TO MANAGE THOSE ASSETS, AND MS. PICKENS MANWEILER.

>> THANK YOU.

YES, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DOES HAVE A ROLE.

YOU KNOW, I WON'T HAVE A VOTE ON THE LAND BOARD BUT I'LL HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

THE IDAHO LAND BOARD MAKES THE DECISIONS AS TO HOW WE SHOULD MANAGE AND WHETHER OR NOT TO SELL OFF OUR PUBLIC LANDS.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SITTING IN A POINT IN IDAHO WHERE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHEN A COUPLE OF BILLIONAIRES ROLLED INTO TOWN, HE ALLOWED THEM TO CLOSE OFF 772,000 ACRES OF LAND.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ON MY WATCH.

I HAVE SPENT TOO MANY YEARS OF MY LIFE, 50, RECREATING, CAMPING, FUNDING, FISHING ALL OVER THE -- HUNTING, FISHING, ALL OVER THIS STATE.

AND WE CAN'T GET PUBLIC LANDS.

ASK THAT TO THE PEOPLE WHO RECENTLY WENT UP TO TRY TO GET ON SOME PUBLIC LANDS THROUGH THE 172,000 ACRES ONLY TO FIND ARMED GUARDS BLOCKING THE ROAD.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IS HAPPENING.

AND IT'S HAPPENING UNDER BUY OPPONENT'S WATCH.

HE JUST AUTHORIZED AND APPROVED 250,000 TAXPAYER DOLLAR TO APPRAISE THE FEDERAL LANDS IN THIS STATEST, WHICH TELLS ME AND THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR, THAT HE'S READY TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR OTHERS AS WELL.

>> THAT'S -- THAT'S A TWISTING OF WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON.

I PROTECT AND I'M COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ALL OF OUR PROPERTY RIGHTS.

AND JUST BECAUSE THE PROPERTY OWNER OWNS 172,000 ACRES, THAT PERSON IS DUE -- EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, SAME AS YOU OR I AM.

LET'S CORRECT ANOTHER THING.

I DO NOT SUPPORT SELLING OFF OUR PUBLIC LANDS, PERIOD.

NOW, THE STATE OF IDAHO MANAGES TWO MILLION ACRES OF INTERCHANGEABLE LAND WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND WE GET EXCELLENT BIOLOGICAL RESULTS OFF OF OUR TRUST LANDS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU WANT TO MEASURE LAND PERFORMANCE, WHETHER IT'S FOREST HEALTH, RANGE HEALTH, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE.

OUR LAND MANAGEMENT MODEL WORKS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS IT'S SCALABLE AND CAN BE USED ON THE ADJACENT FEDERAL LAND.

WE ARE NOT DOING IT PROPERLY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT MANAGING THE LAND PROPERLY.

WE ARE -- OUR WHOLE SYSTEM OF BUILDING SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH WAS BASED ON FOREST SERVICE FUNDS AND NOW WE CAN'T CUT TREES AND THEY CAN'T PASS BONDS TO BUILD SCHOOLS.

AND SO TO -- BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T LIVED UP TO THEIR AGREEMENT UNDER THE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES OR THE PILL PAYMENTS OR THE FOREST SERVICE FUNDS.

NOW, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF COLLECTING THAT AND GETTING OUR FAIR SHARE, BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO BUILD SCHOOLS AND FIX ROADS BASED ON PROPERTY TAXES, THE LARGEST PROPERTY OWNER IN THE STATE IS NOT PAYING ITS FAIR SHARE.

>> SPEAKING OF SCHOOLS, THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM BETSY AND I'LL ASK REPORTERS TO KEEP QUESTIONS SHORT AS WE'RE NEARING THE END OF THE SHOW.

>> BOTH OF YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING SCHOOLS AND PROVIDED A QUALITY EDUCATION.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY NEEDS IMPROVEMENT AND WHAT CAN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DO TO ACCOMPLISH THAT?

LET'S START WITH SPEAKER BEDKE.

>> WELL, I IN MY TIME, I HAVE -- I'VE SERVED ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.

SOME OF THE MAJOR CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED, HAPPENED WITH BILLS THAT I CARRIED AND SPONSORED.

I CARRIED THE EDUCATION BUDGETS FOR YEARS.

WHAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS IS A PARADIGM SHIFT.

THE WHOLE REASON WE HAVE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM IN IDAHO IS SO THAT WE CAN CONNECT AN IDAHO KID WITH A GOOD IDAHO JOB.

AND WE NEED TO EXAMINE WHERE WE'RE MAKING INVESTMENTS AND IS THAT SINKING -- SYNCING UP AS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL.

ALL OF OUR KIDS WELL PREPARED TO GO ON AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, WHETHER IT'S A CERTIFICATED PROGRAM, A TRADE SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OR UNIVERSITY.

SO THAT -- WHEN THAT BECOMES OUR GOAL, AND WHEN WE FUND BASED ON THAT METRIC, THEN WE'LL -- THINGS WILL POSSIBLY IMPROVE.

BUT WE CANNOT OVERLOOK THE LITERACY PROGRAMS, OUR KID HAVE GOT TO LEAVE THIRD GRADE READING AT GREAT LEVEL -- GRADE LEVEL.

WE'VE GOT I HAVE 14 GRANDKIDS.

I WANT THEM TO GET A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION HERE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO LIKE WE DID.

AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL BE OUR CHALLENGE AS WE GO FORWARD.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO LEAN HEAVILY ON SUPPLEMENTAL LEVIES -- LEVIES THAT ARE LEVIES AGAINST PROPERTY TAX TO DO THE EXTRA THINGS IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE IT'S TIME WE WE REEVALUATE THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE TOOK A HUGE STEP OF COMMITTING ANOTHER $410 MILLION BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS AND IN DEMAND CAREERS AND I THINK THAT THAT WILL BEAR FRUIT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> SAME QUESTION, WHAT NEEDS FIXING IN EDUCATION AND WHAT CAN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DO ABOUT IT?

>> OKAY.

FIRST, I THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT FOR 20 YEARS, MR. SPEAKER HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND IN THAT ENTIRE TIME THE LEGISLATURE RUN BY THE GOP SUPERMAJORITY HAS COMPLETELY STARVED EDUCATION.

SO WHILE I APPRECIATE THAT THE SPECIL SESSION INCREASED THE BUDGET THIS YEAR, THAT IS THANKS TO RECLAIM IDAHO AND 100,000 IDAHOIANS WHO FORCED MR. SPEAKER'S HAND.

THEY FORCED HIM AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO BRING UP A MEASURE TO FUND EDUCATION.

OTHERWISE IT WAS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT WITH US.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT ARTICLE 9 SECTION 1 OF THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION IS THE REASON THAT WE FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE FOUNDERS OF THIS STATE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THIS WAS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, THAT IT MADE IT INTO OUR CONSTITUTION.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS NOT PASS MORE BONDS AND LEVIES BUTTING -- PUTTING ON BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS WHEN YOU HAVE A $1.9 BILLION OF SURPLUS OF UNPAID DEBT TO OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE A SITUATION IN IDAHO WHERE WE'RE DEAD LAST IN PER-PUPIL FUNDING.

THAT MEANS OUR TEACHERS ARE MAKING LESS.

WE NEED TO PAY THEM MORE, WHAT THEY'RE WORTH.

WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER PROGRAMS FOR OUR KIDS.

WE NEED TO HAVE PARAPROFESSIONALS AND PROGRAMS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE NEED TO PAY OFF ALL OF THOSE BONDS AND LEVIES SO WE'RE NOT BOOTSTRAPS OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THESE ARE EASILY DONE WITH A SURPLUS FUNDS THAT THEY REFUSE TO ALLOCATE TO EDUCATION.

WE ALSO NEED HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT PRE-K FUND AND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE OUR KIDS SUCCESSFUL.

JUST RELYING ON THE TEST SCORES ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BUILDINGS THEY'RE IN, AND ARE THEY SAFE AND TEACHERS SATISFIED.

>> NEXT QUESTION.

>> I'LL BE BRIEF.

NEXT MONTH THERE WILL BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT ALLOWING THE LEGISLATURE TO CALL THEMSELVES BACK INTO SESSION.

SPEAKER BEDKE, YOU VOTED FOR THAT BILL.

SHOULD WITH WHY SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE HAVE TAPOWER?

>> I PUT IT ON THE BALLOT SO YOU COULD VOTE FOR IT.

MY POSITION WAS CLEAR IN THE CAUCUS MEETION AND THE OTHER MEETINGS, IN INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS, IS THAT ON THE EASY STUFF, MY POSITION WAS THIS.

ON THE EASY STUFF, THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO CALL US INTO SPECIAL SESSION ANYWAY.

AND SO IF THE ABSENCE -- IN THE ABSENCE OF THAT BEING CALLED IN, THAT MEANS THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.

AND SO I ADVOCATED FOR A HIGHER THRESHOLD.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO SPECIAL SESSION AND INCUR THE COSTS THAT THAT -- THAT COST, THEN WE NEED TO GO IN WITH A 67% MAJORITY WHEN YOU GO IN.

OTHERWISE, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO GO IN AND ARGUABLY GRANDSTAND, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE -- IF YOU'RE AT CROSS PURPOSES WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THEN YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT OVER THE LINE.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO OVERRIDE A VETO.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO GO IN TO A SPECIAL SESSION, THEN I THINK YOU OUGHT TO GO IN WITH ENOUGH VOTES TO WIN.

NOW, LET'S CLEAR UP A FEW THINGS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING IDAHO HAVE A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT -- IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT.

THERE WAS NO ONE THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

NOW, SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

I THINK ALL IDAHOANS SHOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO AMENDMENT OUR CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S WHY I SUPPORTED IT.

IT WAS TO PUT IN IT FRONT OF YOU, RYAN, SO YOU COULD VOTE WHETHER OR NOT YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, DO YOU SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT?

>> THANK YOU.

I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT AND I URGE EVERYBODY WATCHING TONIGHT TO VOTE "NO."

AND HERE'S THE REASON.

IDAHO HAS HAD THIS SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN PLACE SINCE ITS INCEPTION, 130 SOME YEARS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

IN 130 YEARS, IT DIDN'T NEED FIXED.

BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW IT DOES.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THE FAR RIGHT SHIFT IN THE HOUSE AND THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO IS UNDO THE BALANCE OF POWER.

WE'RE A THREE-BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IN THIS STATE.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND THE JUDICIARY.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A LEGISLATURE WHO'S TRYING TO USURP THE POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WHICH IS WHAT THE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT, IT'S BAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO AND I URGE THEM ALL TO VOTE "NO."

>> WE HAVE -- >> LET ME CORRECT -- OR LET ME CLARIFY ONE THING.

THERE'S 27 STATES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT -- WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS ABLE TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SESSION.

THERE'S NOT 27 CRATERS WHERE THE STATES USED TO BE.

THERE'S NOT AN IMBALANCE OF POWER IN THOSE STATES.

I MEAN -- BUT THIS IS BIG MEDICINE.

IT'S A CERTAINLY A CHANGE FROM WHERE WE ARE.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE NEED TO DECIDE.

>> MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, I'LL GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND THEN IT'S TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> NO, I DO DISAGREE.

WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN INTO THE CONSTITUTION, YOU CAN EITHER BELIEVE IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU SAY THE RIGHT OF PRIVACY IS NOT IN THERE.

I SAY THE LEGISLATURE CALLING THEMSELVES INTO SESSION IS NOT THIS THERE.

LET'S NOT FIX IT IF IT ISN'T BROKE.

>> IT IS NOW TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS AND MS. PICKENS MANWEILER, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

IDAHO'S EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH.

UNLIKE MY OPPONENT WHO PINES FOR THE PAST INSTEAD OF THE FUTURE, I KNOW WHAT IDAHOANS WANT TO PRESERVE.

WHETHER YOU'RE BORN AND RAISED HERE LIKE ME, OR IF YOU'RE A NEW TO THIS STATE, WE ALL WANT THE SAME THINGS.

WE WANT TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS.

WE WANT TO BE RESPECTED AND WE WANT TO RESPENT EACH OTHER.

WE VALUE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE VALUE AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE WAVE, WE SMILE, AND WE WELCOME EVERYONE.

WE VALUE OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND LIBERTY.

WE VALUE THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH TELLING US WHAT WE CAN READ, WHO WE CAN LOVE AND MARRY, AND ONE THAT DICTATES OUR HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

WE LOVE FREEDOM.

IDAHO IS CHANGING.

WE CANNOT DENY THAT.

AND MY OPPONENT SAT BACK IN THE HOUSE WITH HIS GAVEL AND STAYED SILENT WHILE THE MINORITY OF EXTREMISTS BECAME THE LOUDEST VOICE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE THINKS THAT'S EARNED HIM THE GAVEL IN THE SENATE.

IT HAS NOT.

I'M TERRI PICKENS MANWEILER.

IT'S TIME FOR POSITIVE, THOUGHTFUL CHANGE IN IDAHO.

I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE NOVEMBER 8TH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SPEAKER BEDKE?

>> AS I SAID EARLIER, AS I TRAVEL THE STATE OF IDAHO, PEOPLE WILL COME UP TO ME AND TALK ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT NUMBER ONE, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION.

EVERYTHING LIKE WE SAID EARLIER, EVERYTHING THEY TOUCH IS COSTING WAY MORE THAN THEY THINK THAT IT SHOULD.

AND IT'S BASED ON THE INFLATION.

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR OPEN BORDERS AND THE DRUG, PARTICULARLY, THE FENTANYL PROBLEM THAT THAT'S INTRODUCED INTO EVERY COMMUNITY STATE WIDE.

SO NEVER IS THE CONTRAST BETWEEN DEMOCRAT POLICIES AND REPUBLICAN POLICIES BEEN SO STARK.

IN IDAHO, WE DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

THANKS TO IDAHO'S HARDWORKING FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES ALONG WITH CONSISTENT, CONSERVATIVE, DARE I SAY REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

WE'VE CREATED A STATE THAT IS THE FASTEST GROWING IN THE NATION.

EVERYBODY WANTS WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

SO WE CAPITAL LET ALL OF THIS NEW GROWTH -- WE CAN'T LET ALL OF THIS NEW GROWTH CHANGE WHO WE ARE.

THAT'S MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AS THE KNEES, LUT GOVERNOR.

THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING AND I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR CANDIDATES FOR THEIR TIME TONIGHT.

AND TO THE REPORTERS FOR THEIR GREAT QUESTIONS AND OUR VIEWERS AT HOME FOR WATCHING.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF OUR OTHER DEBATES, YOU CAN FIND THEM ONLINE.

REMEMBER, THE GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 8TH.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE POLLS.

FOR MORE VOGUES, GO TO VOTEIDAHO.GOV.