>>> PRESENTATION ON IDAHO REPORTS ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

¶ ♪ >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

I AM MELISSA DAVLIN, I AM JOINED BY KEVIN RICHERT AND ALEX ADAMS AND DR. STEPHANIE WITT FROM BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

LIVE AT THE STATE HOUSE WHERE GOVERNOR LITTLE IS APPROACHING THE PODIUM TO GIVE HIS ADDRESS.

AS HE'S MAKING HIS WAY THERE, KEVIN, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'LL BE WATCHING FOR ON THE EDUCATION FRONT IS WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN FOR THE $410 MILLION THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN SEPTEMBER.

THE MONEY WAS EARMARKED BUT IT WAS NOT ALLOCATED.

WE'LL GET A SENSE OF ¶¶THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I AM SURE WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT.

HE'S SHAKING HAND WITH IDAHO'S CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

LET'S ¶LISTEN IN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

>> GOVERNOR, WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR WORDS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, MR.

PRO TEM AND MR. PRESIDENT, MY FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE AND MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND MY FELLOW IDAHOANS.

ONE OF MY FRIENDS TOLD ME I USE ONE WORD MORE THAN ANY OTHER OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

NO, NOT NECESSARILY ONE OF THOSE WORDS I MAY HEAR AROUND THE ¶¶RANCH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THE WORD HISTORIC, LIKE ANY GOOD POLITICIANS, I PROUDLY USE THIS POWERFUL WORD AS MUCH AS BIT.

BUT, MY FRIENDS SAID, LE - HISTORIC IS THE ONLY WORD THAT CAPTURES WHAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED FOR IDAHOANS TOGETHER.

HE'S RIGHT.

OUR STATE'S SUCCESS HAD BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF EXTRAORDINARY.

LESS THAN THREE YEARS AGO, AN UNPREDICTABLE STORM ROSE THREATEN TO WEAKEN US AND MAKE US LOSE SIGHT OF OUR DESTINATION.

THANKFULLY, WE STAYED ON COURSE.

THROUGHOUT THESE TURBULENT FEW YEARS, WE NEVER LOST OUR DIRECTION BECAUSE WE ALWAYS PUT IDAHO FIRST.

AND ¶NN¶NrNp¶NNOW, IDAHO IS FIRST O FIRST OF NEVER NATIONAL RANKINGS OF ECONOMIC STRENGTHS.

BUDGET STABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNMENT, WE DIDN'T WEATHER THE STORM, WE THRIVE.

FOLKS, OUR SUCCESS DID NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WORKING.

I AM PREPARED TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU TO ACCELERATE OUR PACE, CONTINUE TO LEADING THE COUNTRY BY PUTTING IDAHO FIRST.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE TODAY IS FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM AND SINCERE MOTIVATION TO GET THINGS DONE.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU, OUR LEGISLATURES, THOSE NEW TO THE PROCESS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR WHILE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I AM VERY EXCITED TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENUINE DESIRE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

I ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE LEGISLATURE LEADERSHIP.

ESPECIALLY MY GOOD FRIEND, COLLEAGUES FOR MANY YEARS, YOUR NEW SPEAKER, MIKE MOYLE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I KNOW WORKING TOGETHER WITH SPEAKER MOYLE AND PRO TEM CHUCK WINTER AND ALL OF YOU, WE'LL DO ¶MMORE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO.

WE HAVE NEW OFFICERS.

SUPERINTENDENT DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD AND ATTORNEY RAUL LABRADOR AND OF COURSE, OUR NEW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SCOTT BEDKE AND HIS WIFE, SARAH.

[ APPLAUSE ] SCOTT, I AM REASSURED KNOWING THAT ANY TIME I LEAVE THE STATE FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THE MOST UNEXPECTED THINGS YOU WILL DO IS GIVE A RIVETING SPEECH ON WATER ADJUDICATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] [ LAUGHTER ] >> PLEASE, JOIN ME AGAIN IN CONGRATULATING THEM AND EVERYONE WHO ARE IN THE CONFIDENCE OF VOTERS THIS LAST NOVEMBER.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PERSON IN MY LIFE THAT GROUNDS ME AND REINFORCES FAMILY VALUES EVERYDAY, OUR FIRST LADY ¶TERTER¶TERESA.

[ APPLAUSE ] BESIDES ALWAYS GIVING A BETTER SPEECH THAN I DO, YOU ALWAYS PRIORITIZE THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST AND THANK YOU, AND I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO, I AM SO HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL THAT YOU TRUSTED ME TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST HONOR OF MY LIFE TO SERVE AND HELP FOR OUR GREAT STATE.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] AFTER ANY ELECTION, THE POLITICAL, INCLUDING MYSELF DIVE DEEP INTO THE RESULTS.

ONE THING ON THE BALLOT THAT WAS MORE POPULAR THAN ANY CONTESTED RACE, WHAT WAS IT?

IT WAS THE PEOPLE'S VOTE ON EDUCATION.

80%, FOUR OUT OF FIVE VOTERS APPROVED OF WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN THE 2022 EXTRAORDINARY SESSION LAST ¶SEPTSEPTEMBER.

WE RECOGNIZED T FINANCIAL EMERGENCY EXISTING AND FACING OUR IDAHO FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS AS A GRAPPLE OF THE IMPACT OF A 40-YEAR HIGH INFLATION.

WE USED OUR PROJECTED BUDGET SURPLUS TO PROVIDE EVERY IDAHOAN WITH IMMEDIATE TAX REBATE AND PASSED A NEW FLAT INCOME TAX SO IDAHOANS CAN KEEP HERE HARD EARNED MONEY MOVING FORWARD.

WE PUT THE SINGLE LARGEST ONGOING INVESTMENT EVER INTO ¶II¶INTO ¶IINTO IDAHO EDUCATION.

THE PEOPLE'S VOTE AFFIRMING TAX RELIEF AND OUR EDUCATION INVESTMENTS PASSED IN EVERY SINGLE COUNTY, EVERY SINGLE CITY AND EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF OUR PLAN MEANS UNMISTAKENLY, IDAHOANS EXPECT US TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> IDAHOANS SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR THEIR VOTES, I DID CHECK THE BALLOT RESULTS, WOULD YOU BELIEVE FUNDING EDUCATION, CUTTING TAXES WAS MORE POPULAR THAN THEIR HOMETOWN GOVERNOR?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> GO FIGURE.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE REMINDERS THAT WHAT WE DO HERE IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY ONE OF US.

THE WORK WE DO WILL OUT LIVE ALL OF US.

LET'S FOCUS ON THE BIG THINGS AND SPEND OUR TIME AND ENERGY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF IDAHOANS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WITH THE WINS IN OUR BACKS AND A STRONG MANDATE FROM EVERY CORNER OF IDAHO, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO TRANSLATE THE PEOPLE'S VOTE INTO ACTION, DARE I SAY HISTORIC INVESTMENT AND EDUCATION A ¶REALITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> HERE IS WHAT ELSE I TOOK FROM THE ELECTION.

IDAHO, IDAHOANS LIKE TO BE FIRST IN ECONOMIC MOMENTUM, REVENUE GROWTH, JOBS GROWTH, RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT AND CUTTING RED TAPE.

IDAHOANS LIKE BEING A TOP TEN STATE FOR ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND STRONG ¶¶FIFISCAL POLICY.

IDAHOANS LIK HISTORIC ECONOMY AND RECORD EDUCATION INVESTMENTS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO HAVE GAVE US THE MANDATE TO STAY ON COURSE, PUT IDAHO FIRST, CONTINUE TO PATH OF PROSPERITY AND KEEP ON INVESTING INTO ¶EDUCATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> TO THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO, WE ARE LISTENING, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER.

WE ARE NOT BACKING DOWN ON EDUCATION.

WE ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON EDUCATION.

THE BUDGET AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS, I AM MAPPING OUT TODAY DELIVER ON THAT MANDATE GIVEN TO US OF THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

MY PLAN IS CALLED IDAHO FIRST.

THE FIRST IN THE PLAN IS EDUCATION.

FOUR YEARS AGO, I STATED MY GOALS AS TO MAKE IDAHO A PLACE WHERE WE ALL CAN THRIVE AND WHERE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN CHOOSE TO STAY AND FOR THOSE THAT LEFT CHOOSE TO RETURN.

EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDING JOBS FOR OUR KIDS, AND NOW WE NEED TO FOSTER BETTER JOBS AND HIGHER INCOMES AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

I AM A BUSINESSMAN, I LOOK AT EVERY YEAR THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT OUR BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES NEED TO PROSPER.

WE ALL BENEFIT FROM A STRONG ECONOMY, ONE WHERE BUSINESSES CAN OFFER A REWARDING CAREER THAT LEADS A STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

AS I TRAVEL THE STATE AND LISTEN TO EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR CHALLENGES, WORK FORCE ALWAYS TOPS THE LIST.

WE MADE HUGE PROGRESS IN CONNECTING EMPLOYERS WITH RESOURCES TO TRAIN EMPLOYEES.

MY FIRST PLAN GETS MORE SKILLED WORKERS THROUGH THEIR DOORS.

I AM VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE MY BUDGET PROVIDES ACCESS TO A SCHOLARSHIP OF $8,500 STARTING NEXT YEAR TO EVERY GRADUATING IDAHO STUDENT IN IDAHO TO ATTEND AN IDAHO UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WORK FORCE TRAINING PROGRAM OF THEIR CHOICE.

[ APPLAUSE ] NEVER HAVE WE HAD A CATALYST OF THIS MAGNITUDE FOR STUDENTS ON WHATEVER WAY THAT SUITS THEM.

THERE ARE MANY PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS TO IDAHO ECONOMY.

OUR PATHWAY DESERVES OUR SUPPORT.

FOR SOME STUDENTS MEANS GETTING TH¶THTHEIR CDL, FOR OTHERS, IT ENGINEERING, TEACHING, HEALTHCARE BUSINESS.

NO MATTER WHAT PATH THE STUDENT CHOOSES, WE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GET THE ADVANTAGE TRAINING THEY NEED TO PROPEL THEMSELVES AND IDAHO'S ECONOMY FORWARD.

THE IDAHO LAUNCH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT AND CAREER TECHNICAL IN THE WORK FORCE EDUCATION IN STATE'S HISTORY.

WE WANT IDAHO'S STUDENTS BROUGHT UP IN IDAHO SCHOOLS WORKING AT IDAHO JOBS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THIS PAST FALL, STUDENT BODY PRESENT AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY, LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO, WROTE AN ARTICLE TO INVEST DIRECTLY IN OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FUTURE WORK FORCE.

THE STUDENTS ADAM JONES FROM EMMETT, TANNER McCLAIN AND CAYDEN MASSEY FROM KAMIAH AND FLORA KOENIG SAID, QUOTE, "THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT OUR IDAHO STUDENTS BUT WILL KEEP OUR ECONOMY COMPETITIVE.

IT IS TIME TO KEEP OUR IDAHO FUTURE IN THE FUTURE," WE HAVE THEM HERE WITH US TODAY.

ADAM, TANNER, CAYDEN, PLEASE ALL STAND UP SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS STARTS VERY YOUNG AND IT STARTS AT HOME.

EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN WILL ALWAYS REST FIRST AND FOR MOST FOR THE FAMILY.

SCHOOLS ARE PARTNERS WITH PARENTS THAT'S WHY WE ARE MAKING STORE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS WHERE PARENTS ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S SCHOOL AND EDUCATION, WE SEE BETTER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

IN FACT, IDAHO'S FIRST IN THE NATION FOR OVERALL RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR EDUCATION SPENDING, WHICH SPEAKS TO THE DEDICATION OF IDAHO FAMILIES TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR PRODUCTIVE LEARNING EVERY SINGLE DpDAY.

WE ARE ALSO THIRD IN THE NATION FOR EDUCATION FREEDOM.

MAJORS INCLUDING SPENDING, SCHOOL CHOICE, TRANSPARENCY, AND REGULATIONS, WHETHER IT IS TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MAGNA SCHOOLS OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES OR HOME SCHOOLING.

HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO IDAHO FAMILIES.

IN FACT, IDAHO IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF STATES WITH THE FEWEST RESTRICTIONS ON ALLOWING PARENTS TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO ANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THEY WISH.

WE ARE A TOP TEN STATE FOR THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PUBLIC CHARTERED SCHOOLS.

MY IDAHO'S FIRST PLAN MAKES PERMANENT OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.

THE GRANTS HELP FAMILIES TAKE CHARGE OF TOOLS FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, THINGS LIKE COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, AND TUTORING.

THESE RESOURCES HELP CHILDREN PROGRESS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

TODAY, WE HAVE SERVED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WITH THESE GRANTS.

THE EMPOWERING PARENTS' GRANTS ARE EFFECTIVE AND POPULAR AND WORTHY OF A CONTINUED INVESTMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> MOST IMPORTANTLY IT KEEPS PARENTS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZED THE ENDURANCE OF OUR REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT DEPENDS UPON AN EDUCATED, INTELLIGENT PEOPLE.

THE FOUNDERS SPELLED OUT THE DUTY TO, QUOTE, "ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, A GENUINE FORM AND THOROUGH SYSTEM OF PUBLIC THREE COMMON SCHOOLS," AS ELECTED LEADERS, WE PROMISE TO UPHOLD THIS¶THISrTpTHIS CONTRACT WITH WHEN WE TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE.

OUR COMMITMENT IS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND IT IS OUR MORAL OBLIGATION.

MY PLAN DELIVERS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE AND THE MANDATE FROM THE VOTERS IDAHO BY INVESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE SOME FOURTH GRADERS AND FIFTH GRADER FROM CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NAMPA AND THEIR TEACHER JAIMEE HOESING.

KIDS, PLEASE WAVE AT US.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO STRENGTHEN OUR SCHOOLS THAN TO INVEST ON THE PEOPLE OF FRONT LINES OF EDUCATION ARE OUR TEACHERS.

I WANT OUR STUDENTS TO CLAP TWICE IF YOU AGREE WITH WHAT I AM SAYING.

STUDENTS, ARE YOU READY?

RECESS IS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY.

STUDENTS, CLAP TWICE IF YOU ¶¶AGREE.

[ LAUGHTER ] JUST GETTING WARMED UP.

>> OKAY, HERE WE GO.

TEACHERS GET TO WORK EARLY SO THEY CAN BE PREPARED WHEN THEIR STUDENTS ARRIVE.

STUDENTS, CLAP TWICE IF ¶YOU AGREE.

>> TEACHERS ARE ADAPTING ALL DAY LONG TO A VARIETY OF LEARNING STYLES AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.

CLAP TWICE IF YOU AGREE.

TEACHERS SPEND THEIR EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS GRADING PAPER AND RELYING ON PARENTS AND STUDENTS, CLAP TWICE IF YOU AGREE.

BEST OF ALL, TEACHERS ARE PASSIONATE OF THEIR CAREER AND MAKING THEM FEELING SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE.

CLAP TWICE IF YOU AGREE.

GREAT JOB, YOU GUYS!

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE ALSO.

OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE QUALITY TEACHERS WHO ARE RESPECTED.

GREAT TEACHERS -- YEAH, GREAT TEACHERS CAN MOTIVATE THE STUDENTS' LIVES.

THAT'S WHY MY PLAN BOOST STARTING TEACHERS' PAY TARGETING IDAHO IN THE TOP TEN STATES FOR STARTING TEACHERS PAY.

WHEN I STARTED THIS JOB FOUR YEARS AGO, IDAHO WAS 41st IN THE INDUSTRY.

IN FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE CATAPULT FROM THE BOTTOM TEN TO TOP TEN.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WE ARE ALSO GOING TO GROW THE SALARIES OF ALL TEACHERS INCLUDING MOST EXPERIENCED ONES TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE THE CLASSROOM SUPPORT THEY NEED.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE TEACHER?

IT MEANS $6,300 ¶PAY PAY RAISE.

WHEN WE SHOW TES WE SUPPORT THEM, WE ARE SHOWING FAMILIES THEIR CHILD EDUCATION IS OUR PRIORITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I AM ALSO PROUD THAT WE MAKE GREAT ADVANCES IN MY PRIORITY OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, LITERACY.

LEARNING TO READ FROM YOUNG AGE IS THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING LATER ON.

IT MAKES OUR INVESTMENTS WORTHWHILE.

SINCE I TOOK OFF OFFICE WE HAVE INCREASED LITERACY FUNDING FIVE-FOLD.

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS DETERMINED HOW BEST TO D¶DrDWE DEPLOY THE RESOURCES, EVERYTHING FROM EXPANDING KINDERGARTEN AND READING COACHES AND REDUCE CLASS SIZES OR SUMMER READING PROGRAMS.

THIS PAST FALL, READING SCORES ARE THE HIGHEST IN YEARS WITH IMPRESSIVE GAINS AMONG OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS.

THE SCORES WERE STEADILY INCREASING.

WHILE WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, THE RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING.

THEY SHOW WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO PREPARE OUR YOUNGER GENERATION WITH THE EDUCATION SKILLS AND LIFELONG PASSION FOR LEARNING.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE PUTTING IDAHO'S FIRST AND EDUCATION FIRST.

YOU KNOW MOST PEOPLE WANT THE SAME THINGS, HEALTH, SAFETY, HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN PATH, STRONG SCHOOLS, AND ABUNDANCE OF REWARDING OPPORTUNITIES AND KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY.

OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER ON THESE THINGS OR AT LEAST NOT STANDING IN THE WAY OF THESE HAPPENING DETERMINES OUR FAITHS.

WE HAVE ALL SEEN THESE CONTINUALLY FAILED.

I HEARD GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS REALLY IDAHO'S REALTOR OVER THE YEARS.

CLAP TWICE IF YOU AGREE.

PRETTY IMPRESSIVE, WE ARE STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN INVESTING IN KEY CRITICAL AREAS LIKE OUR SCHOOLS GIVING BACK MORE OF IDAHOANS' MONEY.

IN THREE YEARS, WE HAVE GIVEN BACK MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, A WHOPPING $2.7 BILLION TO IDAHO CITIZENS IN BUSINESSES.

NO OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY HAVE GIVEN MORE TAX RELIEF PER CAPITA THAN IDAHO.

WE ARE NOT DONE YET.

WE DEPLOYED 2.7 BILLION IN IMMEDIATE TAX RELIEF IN FOUR WAYS.

SLASHING PAYROLL TAXES FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES AND INCREASING THE GROCERY TAX CREDITS AND GIVING IDAHOANS THE LARGEST EVER REIMBURSEMENTS OF THEIR PROPERTY TAXES IN 2020, AND, OF COURSE, BACK-TO-BACK INCOME TAX REBATES, AND BACK-TO-BACK TAX CUTS FOR PERSONAL INCOME AND CORPORATE INCOME TAX.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THE TAX REBATES HELP THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS OUR STATE AS WELL AS SENIOR CITIZENS ON FIXED INCOME, PROVIDING RELIEF FROM CRUSHING INFLATION, WHERE EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO FUEL WAS SKYROCKETING.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CUTTING TAXES DOES NOT START IN THE END WITH ONE-TIME RELIEF.

WE ALSO CUT BACK IDAHOANS' ONGOING TAX BURDENS BY MORE THAN $600 MILLION.

WE TOOK THE SIX-BRACKET DOWN TO ONE, CREATING A PREDICTABLE AND LOWER INCOME TAX ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[ APPLAUSE ] ¶>> FOLKS, WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WORKING.

CONSIDER THIS TAX FOUNDATION RANKS STATES ON THEIR BUSINESS TAX CLIMATE.

IT IS A USEFUL BAROMETER OF THE STATE'S COMPETITIVENESS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN BUSINESSES.

IN JUST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE RISEN SIX POTS.

THAT'S EVEN BEFORE THE COUNTY AND INCOME TAX, WE ADOPTED IN ¶LLAST YEAR'S SPECIAL SESSION.

CUTTING TAXES, ALLOWING IDAHOANS KEEPING MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN AND IT IS JUST THE RIGHT THING ¶¶TOTO¶¶TO DO.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> ONE AREA WHERE WE REALLY SHINE MAY SURPRISE YOU.

THE TAX FOUNDATION RANKS IDAHO AS HAVING THE THIRD LOWEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE COUNTRY.

SO WHY DOES THAT FEE¶FEEFEEL SO SURPRISING TO SO WHEN YOUR PROPERTY TAX ARRIVES, YOU SEE IT ALL AT ONCE.

IT IS NOT HIDDEN IN EACH PAYCHECK, IT IS NOT PENNIES ON THE DOLLARS OF EVERY PURCHASE YOU MAKE.

I UNDERSTAND WHY MANY IDAHOANS STRUGGLING UNDER THE INFLATION.

THE REALITY IS NO PROPERTY TAXES ARE PAID THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

NO STATE OFFICIALS IN THIS ROOM CAN DECIDE WHAT LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ALONE SETS THEIR BUDGETS.

HOWEVER, SOME OF THE PARAMETERS AROUND LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE SET IN STATE LAW, SO PEOPLE TURN TO STATE LEADERS IN THIS ROOM FOR ANSWERS.

IDAHOANS WANT RELIEF FROM RISING PROPERTY TAXES.

WE HEAR THEM.

MY IDAHO FIRST PLAN PUTS ANOTHER $120 MILLION TOWARDS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR HELP FROM IDAHOANS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THERE IS NO DOUBT IDAHOANS IDAHOANS -- WITH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL TO DRIVE UP OUR LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT, TOO OFTEN WE ARE SIMPLY SHIFTING BURDENS ACROSS TAXPAYERS, WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS HEAD ON.

LET'S WORK ON BETTER WAYS TO FACILITATE GROWTH, PAYING FOR GROWTH, AND GIVING LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO KEEP TAXES LOW.

HOW?

BY CONTINUING TO MAKE LONG RANGE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN ROADS, WATER.

INVESTING IN LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE MADE THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT EVER IN OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE, WATER.

WHEN WE ARE INVESTING IN WATER AND WASTE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, WE SAVE OUR CITIZENS AND LOCAL TAXES OR FEES WHAT THEY WOULD OTHERWISE PAY PROPERTY TAXES TO COVER THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.

NOW, I AM PROPOSING MORE INVESTMENTS IN WATER QUANTITY AND WATER QUANTITY INFRASTRUCTURE.

NOT ONLY TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES BUT ALSO TO SECURE CLEAR WATER FOR THE YEARS TO COME.

INVESTING IN LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES IS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

LAST YEAR, WE PUT HALF A BILLION INTO LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES AND AIRPORTS.

WE TOOK A MAJOR BITE OUT OF THE BAC¶BACBACKLOG OF DEFICIENT BRIE DID IT WITHOUT RAISING TAXES OR FEES.

THAT BUYS US NOT JUST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, BUT SAFER ROADS, LESS DRIVE TIME AND LESS CONGESTION.

NOW, I AM PROPOSING MORE FOR LOCAL BRIDGES AND NEW ONGOING FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY CAPACITY T BUILD ON OUR SUCCESS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP TAXES LOW, BUT WE MUST DO RESPONSIBLY.

WE ALL SEE THE FLASHING RED LIGHTS IN THE ECONOMY, SIMPLY PUT WASHINGTON, D.C., IS DRIVING AMERICA TOWARDS AN ECONOMIC CLIFF AND SEEMINGLY PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS.

PERHAPS, NEVER HAD LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BEDKE'S GRANDFATHER'S WORDS RUN THROUGH.

"IT WON'T BE THE BAD YEARS, IT IS WHAT YOU DO IN THE GOOD YEARS THAT SETS YOU UP FOR FAILURE OR SUCCESS.

WE MUST PREPARE FOR THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, AND NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE MUST MAKE WISE DECISIONS."

WE MUST NOT USE OUR ONE-TIME SURPLUS FOR WASTEFUL SPENDING.

THIS MAY BE OUR ONE LAST SHOT TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT TAX CUT THAT'LL SUSTAIN A BALANCE BUDGET OVERTIME.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER, UNLOCK OUR CREATIVITY AND PUT THESE $120 MILLION OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF INTO THE HIGHEST AND ¶BEST USE.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE ALSO MAKING A DIFFERENCE COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE ON TRACK TO ADVANCE ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR HISTORIC THREE-BRANCH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNCIL.

THIS YEAR, MY IDAHO FIRST PLAN DOES MORE TO IMPROVE RESOURCES FOR TROUBLED YOUTHS AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND ALSO WE ARE GOING TO MAKE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES MORE ASSESSABLE TO OUR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS.

AND, TO ADD MORE DOCTORS FOR RURAL IDAHO AND MORE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OVERALL.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND, MY PLAN BACKS THE BLUE AGAIN, ADDING 10% PAY RAISE FOR OUR BRAVE AND DEDICATED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OUR AVERAGE STATE TROOPERS?

IT MEANS A $6,000 RAISE.

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

OTHER PLACES DEFUND POLICE, HERE IN IDAHO, WE DEFEND THE POLICE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK TIRELESSLY TO HELP KEEP US SAFE.

MANY TIMES CONFRONTING THE MOST HEINOUS SIDE OF HUMANITY.

THIS PAST FALL, FOUR YOUNG LIVES ENDED IN THE WORST CRIMES OF OUR STATE OF OUR NATION WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

ETHAN, KAYLEE AND MADLY WERE BRUTALLY MURDERED.

THE LOSS OF THESE PEOPLE WERE FELT EXPONENTIALLY, WE'LL NEVER FORGET THEM.

WE'LL SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE MEMBERS THEY LOST BEHIND.

I ASK EVERYONE TO PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYERS ¶FOR FOR THEM.

THANK OU.

OUR LA ENFORCEMENT HEROES HANDLE THIS LOSS WITH PROFESSIONALISM.

THEY ENCOUNTER DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT SITUATIONS KEEPING US SAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FENTANYL.

WE ARE LOSING MORE YOUNG LIVES TO THE MOST POTENT AND DEADLIEST DRUGS OUR SOCIETY AS FACED.

FENTANYL, IT IS 50 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN HEROINE AND 100 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN MORPHINE.

IT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR AMERICAN ADULTS UNDER THE AGE OF 50.

MICHAEL STABILE, 15-YEAR-OLD FROM COEUR d'ALENE, HE TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE WHEN HE TOOK A PILL HE THOUGHT IT WAS A PAIN RELIEVER BUT CAME FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.

THE PILL CONTAINS A LETHAL TRACE OF FENTANYL, KILLING HIM INSTANTLY.

MICHAEL'S MOM AND DAD, JENNIFER AND FRANK STABILE ARE HERE WITH ¶US TODAY.

[ APPLAUSE ] JENNIFER AND FRANK, WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THEY DESCRIBE THEIR ONLY CHILD AS THEIR MIRACLE BABY AND A BOY WHO LOVED THE OUTDOORS IN HIS FAMILY.

WE ARE NOW TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT OUR YOUTHS FROM FENTANYL.

ALL THESE STEPS GREW OUT OF OUR OPERATION ESTO ESTO PERPETUA INITIATIVE.

OUR CAMPAIGN IS CALLED ALL IT TAKES, IT LAUNCHED LAST WEEK AT FENTANYLTAKESALL.ORG.

IT WILL FEATURE MICHAEL'S STORY AND THE STORIES OF MANY YOUNG IDAHOANS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES TO ACCIDENTAL FENTANYL POISONING.

WE AIM TO INFORM OUR YOUTHS OF THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL AND ITS POTENCY AND IT IS ABILITY TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES AS IT DID WITH THE STABILES.

I HAVE SEEN FOR MYSELF HOW THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS CONTROL THE ACCESS INTO THE CONTROL UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRUGS OF IDAHO INCLUDING FENTANYL ARE SOURCED IN MEXICO.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR STATES TO THE SOUTH AND HELPING TO SECURE OUR ¶BORBORDER.

¶BORBOR IN 2021, THE STATE OF ARIZONA CALLED FOR SUPPORT IN CONTROLLING THE CHAOS AT THE BORDER.

I SENT A TEAM OF DRUG ADDICTION SPECIALISTS WITH ISP TO HELP.

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT I AM SENDING A TEAM BACK TO THE BORDER.

THEY'LL HONE THEIR SKILLS AND RETURN WITH BETTER KNOWLEDGE TO TRAIN POLICE IN OUR STATE ON THE BEST WAYS TO GET FENTANYL OFF OUR STREET.

COLONEL KED WILLS AND A FEW OF OUR STATE POLICE ARE HERE WITH US, SERGEANT DARREN GILBERTSON AND SERGEANT CHRIS COTTRELL AND TROOPER MITCH HOWARD, CAN YOU GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND?

[ APPLAUSE ] >> OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VETERANS ALL DESERVE OUR GRATITUDE FOR THEIR SERVICE AND COMMITMENT.

IT IS EASY TO BE CYNICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT WHEN YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN D.C.

IT IS ALSO EASY TO BE INSPIRED BY THE REAL DIFFERENCE WE ARE MAKING IN IDAHO WHEN WE PUT IDAHO FIRST, FOCUSING IN ON SCHOOLS AND TAX RELIEF, SAFE COMMUNITIES, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, AND GOOD GOVERNMENT.

FOLKS, AFTER YEARS OF BEING AROUND THE POLITICAL PROCESS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT POLITICS CAN COMPLICATE, OTHERWISE, PRETTY SIMPLE CONCEPTS.

THERE IS NOTHING COMPLICATED ABOUT OUR STATE'S SUCCESS.

THERE IS NOTHING COMPLICATED ABOUT HOW TO KEEP OUR SUCCESS GOING.

IDAHO FIRST.

LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

STAY ON COURSE.

KEEP THE BIG PICTURE AND FOCUS AND DON'T LOSE OUR ¶DIREDIRECTION.

CONCENTRATE ON MATTERS WAY BEYOND OUR TIME HERE.

DOUBLE DOWN OUR SCHOOLS AND TAX RELIEFS AND CONTINUE WITH KEY INVESTMENTS TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

I KNOW YOU ARE MOTIVATED TO GET THINGS DONE AND I AM, TOO.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP, WE'LL PUT OUR TRUST IN GOD AND TOGETHER, WE'LL GET OUR WORK DONE EFFICIENTLY AND FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT MATTER.

THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO EXPECT US TO WORK TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ONLY WAY TO GET HISTORIC THINGS ¶¶DODONE.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLE [ APPLAUSE ] >> THAT WAS GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

JOINING ME ONSET IS KEVIN RICHERT, ALEX ADAMS AND DR. STEPHANIE WITT FROM BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE, KEVIN, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

HUGE EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION, IT WAS THE FIRST HALF OF HIS SPEECH.

>> YES, IT WAS DEFINITELY THE THEME OF THE SPEECH AND WHAT WE EXPECTED BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE OPEN WAS WE CAME INTO THIS WITH A $410 MILLION QUESTION, WHAT WAS THE GOVERNOR GOING TO PROPOSE TO DO WITH THE MONEY THAT WAS ALLOCATED IN THAT SPECIAL SESSION.

HE LAID OUT A DETAILED PLAN FOCUSING ON TEACHER PAY RAISES AND ON SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS OR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WHEREVER THEY CHOOSE ¶¶TO GO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT EMPHASIS AND THAT COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEFORE WE GET INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS, ALEX, AS WE KNOW GOING INTO THE SESSION, THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILLS THAT WE MAY SEE FROM BOTH NEW AND SOME OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED LAWMAKERS.

GOVERNOR LITTLE OUTLINED ALL OF THE WAYS THAT IDAHO HAS SO MANY FORMS OF SCHOOL CHOICES AND EMPHASIZING A HUGE APPRECIATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT TONE AND THAT INTENT THERE?

>> WELL, GOVERNOR LITTLE TALKS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND THE MORAL OBLIGATION THAT WE HAVE TO FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WHAT HE'S SAYING IS THAT HE'S FULFILLING THAT OBLIGATION AS WELL AS DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE OF THE SPECIAL SESSION BY PUTTING $360 MILLION ONGOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS KEVIN SAID THAT'S GETTING STARTING TEACHERS PAY AT THE TOP TEN OF THE COUNTRY.

PAYING FOR BUS DRIVERS AND LUNCHROOM WORKERS AND JAN¶JANUARY JANITORS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF THAT MAKES OUR SCHOOLS RUN.

TO GIVE LOCAL SCHOOLS LOCAL CONTROL AND ALLOW THEM TO MEET THE NEEDS THAT ARE MOST PRESSING IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE GOVERNOR DID MAKE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM EMPOWERING PARENTS AND ONGOING PROGRAMS THAT'S PROGRA S PROVIDED FOR PARENTS, USING TH¶¶THTHOSE DOLLARS FOR TUTORIN TECHNOLOGY OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> KEVIN, ABOUT THE EMPOWERING PARENTS GRANT, HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM SOME OF THE STATE EDUCATION SAVING ACCOUNT PROPOSALS WE'LL HEAR THIS ¶SESSION?

>> THAT'S INTERESTING THING TO SEE HOW THAT UNFOLDS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT LEGISLATION.

PARENTS CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT OR CURRICULUM OR THEY CAN USE IT FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY CAN'T PUT IT INTO PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION, THAT MAY BE AN INTERESTING PART OF THE DEBATE.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SIMILAR BILL THAT WAS DESIGNED TO EXTEND A VERSION OF WHAT'S NOW EMPOWERING PARENTS THAT DID HAVE A COMPONENT THAT DID ALLOW EDUCATION TYPES OF PROGRAM, THAT DID NOT GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE EDUCATION DEBATE AT THE ¶SESSION.

>> SOMETHING I AM SURE WE'LL REVISIT SO MANY TIMES OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.

>> I SUSPECT SO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR LITTLE'S ADDRESS PAY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, NOT JUST TEACHERS.

THE AVERAGE TEACHERS WILL GET A $6,300 RAISE AND CLASSIFIED STAFFS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CAFETERIA WORKERS AND JANITORS AND BUS DRIVERS.

WHY WAS THAT ON HIS RADAR?

>> IT IS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATIONS FOR YEARS AND A REPORT FROM OPE, THE OFFICE OF THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY QUANTIFY THERE IS A $97 MILLION GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE CURRENTLY PAY CLASSIFIED STAFF AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS PAY FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF.

BY CLOSING THAT GAP, YOU ARE PUTTING MORE MONEY BACK INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE FOR INCREASING PAY.

INCREASING BENEFITS FOR INSURANCE OR ADDRESSING OTHER LOCAL NEEDS BUT CERTAINLY AGAIN AS I SAID EARLIER, THOSE CLASSIFIED STAFFS IS WHAT MAKES A SCHOOL WORK AND YOU WILL FIND EVERY TEACHER TELL YOU HOW IPORTANT THEIR CLASS STAFF IS TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS AND THEIR SCHOOLS WHEN THE OPE REPORT CAME OUT, THEY QUANTIFY THE GAP OF EMPLOYEES.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET FULLY COVERERED THAT GAP.

>> WE HEARD SO MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE THAT HOW FORTUNATE IDAHO WAS THAT MORE SCHOOLS WAS NOT SHUTDOWN ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I WANT TO TOUCH ON DISCRETIONARY FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> YES, AS I SAID IT IS THE LARGEST INFUSION OF DISCRETIONARY DOLLARS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR THINKS THAT IN BOISE, YOU CAN MAKE DECISIONS FOR EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WHAT'S NEEDED AT ONE MAY BE DIFFERENT AT OTHERS.

IT GIVES SCHOOLS THE LATITUDE TO USE IT FOR FACILITIES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND HEALTH INSURANCE, FOR ADDITIONAL PAY FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF BEYOND OF WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

HE TRUSTS THOSE LOCAL SCHOOLS MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THEIR DISTRICT AND IT IS GIVING THEM THE FLEXIBILITY TO ADDRESS LOCAL ¶¶NEEDS.

>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PROCEEDS ON SCHOOL OFFICIALS AS TO HOW THEY WOULD USE THAT MONEY.

IF YOU PUT MONEY INTO SALARIES OR BENEFITS, YOU WANT THAT IS TO BE AN ONGOING SOURCE OF FUNDING.

>> DR. WITT, I WANT TO BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION.

THERE IS A TIGHT END ON THIS REDUCED PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRICTS THAT DO RELY ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAX FUNDS TO HELP WITH THOSE BUILDING NEEDS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, MAY THIS HELP IN KIND OF A WHOLISTIC WAY REDUCING SOME OF THOSE PROPERTY TAXES?

>> I WOULD THINK SO.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE DO THINGS HERE IN IDAHO IS THAT THE TOTAL COST OF CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS IS BY LOCAL TAXPAYERS, THEY ARE HARD TO PASS BECAUSE OF OUR 66 AND TWO-THIRDS APPROVAL THRESHOLD.

THE DISCRETIONARY MONEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE MAY HELP SOME DISTRICTS WHO HAVE B¶BBEEN¶BEENrBp¶B¶rBp¶B¶BEEN FR COULD SEE A SHIFTING ON SOME OF THOSE COSTS ON DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.

WHAT YOU ARE POINTING OUT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT IS NOT $52 MILLION FOREVER.

IT IS A GIANT BUT ONE-TIME INFUSION OF MONEY, PROBABLY.

THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO PICK ONE-TIME BIG LUMPY COST.

THAT KIND OF SPENDING AS OPPOSED TO INCREASING TEACHER PAY OR SOMETHING THAT HAS AN ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT ON THE ¶DISTRICTS.

>> ONE THING TO CLARIFY, ALL THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT INCLUDING THE DISCRETIONARY IS ONGOING.

IT WOULD BE AN ONGOING SOURCE OF APPROPRIATION FOR THEM OF THE $330 MILLION THAT WAS SET ASIDE COMES RIGHT OFF OF THE SALES TAX.

THERE IS NO A GROWTH FACTOR APPLIED TO IT BUT THAT 330 MILLION IS AN ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.

THAT'S HOW THE GOVERNOR IS CHOOSING TO DIVIDE ¶THE PIE.

>> THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

THEY MAY BE ABLE TO USE THIS MONEY TO PAY DOWN EXISTING SPECIAL LEVIES OR BONDS THAT ARE OUTSTANDING.

>> AND IF THE LEGISLATURE SIGNS ONTO THE IDEA OF $52.4 MILLION IN DISCRETION FUNDING ONGOING, THAT'S A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE THAN THE LEVEES THAT WAS MADE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, THAT TOUCHES ON ONE OF THE THEMES THAT WE HAVE HEARD THROUGHOUT NOT JUST GOVERNOR LITTLE'S SPEECH BUT FROM LAWMAKERS IS CAUTIONARY TALE DIRECT QUOTE FROM GOVERNOR LITTLE'S SPEECH FROM GOVERNOR BEDKE'S FATHER, WON'T BE THE BAD YEARS THAT PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS, IT IS WHAT YOU DO DURING THE GOOD YEARS THAT SET YOU FOR FAILURES OR SUC¶SUCSUC¶SUCSUCCESS.

HOW MUCH INTO GOVERNOR LITTLE'S CRAFTING OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL?

>> QUITE A BIT.

IF YOU LOOK AT GOVERNOR LITTLE'S LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE MOVED UP ON FISCAL POLICY, TAX POLICY, RESERVE FUND POLICY, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE GOT UPGRADED FROM OUR AAA TO AA.

THIS BUDGET MAXES OUT A RAINY DAY FUNDS.

IT PAYS OFF DEBT AND IT PAYS OFF A LARGE FRACTION TO LOWER OUR OUT YEAR COSTS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON THE NEAR HORIZON FOR THE ECONOMY BUT WE SEE THOSE DARK STORM CLOUDS GATHERING AND YOU CAN CONFIDENT THAT IDAHO WILL WEATHER THAT STORM BETTER THAN MOST IF NOT THAN ANY OTHER STATE BECAUSE OF THE DECISIONS THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE MADE AND THE LEGISLATURES IMPLEMENTED OF THE LAST FEW YEARS.

A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS TREAT THE ONE-TIME SURPLUS AS A ONE-TIME IN NATURE AND USING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET HAS MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IS WHERE IT MATTERS, WATER, AIRPORT, ROADS, AND BRIDGES.

WE HAD A BACKLOG OF BRIDGES THAT WERE DEFICIENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET CLEARS OUT A THIRD OF THAT BACKLOG TO IMPROVE BRIDGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> I WAS SURE THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT DID THE NIXON ADMINISTRATION HERE.

I THINK THIS IS A SUPER KIND OF INVESTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE THOSE COSTS.

THE LONGER WE DEFER THEM, THE BIGGER THEY GET.

THE SECOND YEAR OF ENORMOUS PROGRESS ON ROADS AND BRIDGES AND CATCHING UP IS A TERRIFIC NEWS.

NOT JUST FOR THE GOVERNOR BUT FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT ADMINISTERED THE MAINTENANCE ON THOSE BRIDGES >> ONCE AGAIN, IT IS TIEING TO THE PROPERTY TAXES HERE.

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR TAKING CARE OF THE BACKLOG AND ALSO NEW INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> I WAS STRUCK BY THE GOVERNOR'S TONE ON THE PROPERTY TAX DEBATE.

WE KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEBATE OVER HOW TO ADDRESS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, WE KNOW IT IS AN INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

THE MESSAGE THAT I HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR TODAY WAS TO LEGISLATURES, THIS MAY BE YOUR ONE SHOT.

WITH THE ECONOMY GOING IN WHATEVER DIRECTIONS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT AGAIN IN 2024 OR 2025.

YOU GOT ONE SHOT AT TRYING TO ADDRESS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

>> THAT'S IT, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE TONE OF THE SPEECH OVERALL.

ON FRIDAY WE HEARD HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH WHICH WAS I THINK FULL OF GRATITUDE AND ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT A DIFFICULT PAST FOUR YEARS, ESPECIALLY THE THREE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS SPEECH WAS MORE CONFIDENT AND LOOSE AND IT HAD A LOT OF JOKES IN THERE.

I THINK THAT WAS PRETTY TELLING TO ¶MME, ALEX.

>> YOU SEE GOVERNOR THAT IS COMMITTED TO THE STATE OF IDAHO AND KEEPING IDAHO FIRST AND THE LINE THAT STICKS OUT IS WHEN THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT WHAT WE DO HERE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OF US AND THE WORK THAT WE DO WILL¶WILLWILL HELP LEAVE OF ALL THE BUDGET IS A BIG PART OF THAT.

LARGEST EDUCATION INVESTMENT OVER A BILLION DOLLARS OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THAT'L HAVE RIPPLE BENEFITS FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

$120 MILLION PROPERTY TAX RELIEF WHILE LEAVING A BALANCE BUDGET IN SOMETHING THAT'LL ENDURE ANY ECONOMIC HEAD WINDS, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT HE'S PROUD OF AND SOMETHING THAT WILL LEAD TO A LOT OF GOOD FOR A LOT OF ¶IDAHOANS.

>> YOU ALSO HEARD THE TONE OF A GOVERNOR WHO JUST GOT REELECTED, HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE VOTE ¶MARMARGINS ¶MARMAR IN HIS OWN RACE.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE MARGINS OF VICTORY.

IT WAS DEFINITELY THE TONE OF A GOVERNOR WHO IS, YOU KNOW, FEELING PRETTY WELL WELL-MANDATED BY THE PEOPLE TO PURSUE HIS PATH.

>> WITH THAT SAID, THERE IS THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS THE LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN IDAHO IN DECADES.

WE ALSO HAVE A NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM IN THE HOUSE WITH A SPEAKER WHO IN THE PAST HAS BUMPED HEADS WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DR. WITT, I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THAT DYNAMIC.

WHAT GOVERNOR LITTLE'S PROPOSAL AND WHAT HURDLES IT MAY COME ACROSS?

>> WELL, UM -- THE LEGISLATURE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAD A ROUGH TIME IN THE LAST SEVERAL TERMS.

I AM CURIOUS OF HOW THIS GOES.

I SEE SEVERAL THINGS IN THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES THAT ARE FRIENDLY TOWARDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

IF THE LEGISLATURE ENACTS WHAT HE'S PROPOSING THEN THEY HAVE SEVERAL THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE.

THERE ARE PROBLEM THINGS THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT PROBABLY HAS TO CHANCE LIKE A LOCAL TAXATION AUTHORITY, THAT PREDATES MY ARRIVAL IN IDAHO.

IT IS AVAILABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT NOBODY EVER WANTED OR USE IT.

THERE ARE SOME ISSUES LIKE THIS THAT'LL CONTINUE, AND WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SPEECH BEGAN THAT THERE ARE SOME NEW MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THEY WERE ON CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES AND SO I EXPECT MAYBE THE EMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE A LITTLE HIGHER FOR THE ISSUES THAT ARE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S AGENDA.

>> THERE ARE SPEAKER MIKE MOYLE WHO WHEN WE HEARD HIM ON THURSDAY DURING THE PRESS CLUB LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW, HIS BIG MESSAGE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WAS YOU GOT TO CONTROL YOUR SPENDING, YOU GOT TO CUT YOUR BUDGET IF WE WANT TO CUT THESE PROPERTY TAXES.

VERY DIFFERENT, I GUESS DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW THAN WHAT A LOT OF THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO GROWTHS PAYING FOR ¶ITSELF.

>> WELL, THEY WOULD LIKE SOME ACTION ON IMPACT FEES AND TO CAPTURE NEW PEOPLE PAYING MORE OF THEIR SHARE OF GROWTH.

I THINK THAT PROPERTY TAX REALLY ¶SIMPSIMPLESTICALLY SIMPLESTICALLY, YOU GOT THE TAX RATE.

HOMEOWNERS ARE FIXATED ON THAT FIXED RATE.

MY HOUSE IS WORTH THREE OR FOUR TIMES WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

THE AMOUNT THAT I AM EXPOSED TO FOR TAXATION IS A LOT BIGGER.

THAT'S WHERE HOMEOWNERS - SPEAKER MOYLE LIKES TO FOCUS ON THE PERCENTAGE THAT COMES FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

I SEE THEM NOT COMMUNICATING.

>> THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF EXCITEMENT TO WORK WITH A NEW LEGISLATURE AND NEW LEADERSHIP AND THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE GONE WELL SO FAR.

I THINK THE ONE NEW PROPOSAL THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD IS WORTH TALKING ABOUT IS WHAT HE'S PROPOSING FOR THE IDAHO LAUNCH PROGRAM.

HE'S PROPOSING STARTING WITH THE CLASS OF 2024, $8,500 SCHOLARSHIP.

¶>>> A ONE-TIME SCHOLARSHIP.

>> THEY CAN USE IT AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR WORK FORCE TRAINING PROVIDER OR TECHNICAL PROVIDER AND ETCETERA, THERE ARE CERTAINLY QUITE A BIT OF EXCITEMENT FOR THAT PROPOSAL AND THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH NEW LEGISLATURES TO BRING THINGS LIKE THAT ACROSS THE FINISH ¶¶LINE.

>> ON THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND SPEAKING OF THE SPEAKER, I WAS STRUCK BY SOMETHING HE SAID ON THURSDAY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW.

HE SAID TO HIS LIKING, TO HIS TASTE, █HE FEELS LIKE THE SPENDING OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN TOO AGGRESSIVE.

TAKING THE $410 MILLION OUT OF THE EQUATION BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR CAN CERTAINLY ARGUE THAT'S BAKED IN OR APPROVED OR EARMARKED, I WONDER HOW THAT MESSAGE FROM THE SPEAKER, HOW THAT REFLECTS MAYBE THE MINDSETS OF LEGISLATURES OF BUDGET IN SPENDING IN GENERAL AND HOW THEY'LL APPROACH THE OVERALL LITTLE'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY AS EXPECT OF GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

THE AVERAGE STATE AND POLICE TROOPERS WOULD SEE A $6,000 ANNUALLY RAISE AND MORE MONEY FOR DRUG FENTANYL TESTING.

WE HEARD THE DEVASTATING STORY OF THE TEENAGER IN COEUR d'ALENE WHO PASSED AWAY FROM A TRACE AMOUNT OF FENTANYL IN A PILL THAT HE TOOK.

TALK TO US ABOUT THOSE PRIORITIES.

>> I WILL SAY THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT WE ARE A STATE THAT DEFENDS THE POLICE.

IN THE FIRST POINT THAT HE MENTIONED OF THE 10% RAISE, THAT'S FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN-STATE GOVERNMENT, THAT'S INCLUSIVE OF STATE POLICE AS WELL AS DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILES.

>> AND WE HAVE SEEN EMPLOYMENT ¶SHORTAGES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF PRESSURE IN COMPETING WITH COUNTIES AND CITY GOVERNMENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THAT ALLOWS US TO KEEP THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE STATE'S PAYROLL AND KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE.

IN TERMS OF THE OTHER PRIORITIES, THE GOVERNOR REALLY HIT ON ADDRESSING THE FENTANYL ISSUE.

HE HAD TWO WORK STREAMS, THE OPERATIONAL TASK ¶FOFO¶FOFO¶FO¶FOFORCE ¶FOFO¶FOFO¶FO¶FOFOFORCE ESTO PE ¶r¶pHE ANNOUNCED TO HELP KEEP T DRUGS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN LIKE THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS RECOGNIZED ON THE SPEECH, THERE IS GOING TO BE PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS AND ENHANCED TESTING THROUGHOUT THE STATE FROM THE POLICE AND THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SIDE, YOU WILL SEE RECORD INVESTMENTS AND FACILITIES AND IN-PATIENT CAPACITY TO TREAT ¶¶MORE.

>> WE HAVE HALF A MINUTE LEFT.

I AM SEEMS NO T JUST THE EMPHASIS ON PUBLIC SAFETY BUT ON THE PREVENTION SIDE AND THE TREATMENT SIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

KEY PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> AND A SHIFTING, I GUESS, PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW.

>> LOOKING UPSTREAM IS ALWAYS A BETTER OUTCOME THAN LOOKING DOWNSTREAM.

>> FANTASTIC, WELL, WE ARE GOING ¶r¶pTO LEAVE IT THERE, ALEX ADAD DR. STEPHANIE WITT AND KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

WE'LL HAVE SO MUCH MORE ON THIS FRIDAY'S SHOW AND AS ALWAYS, WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENTS AT OUR WEBSITE.

PRESENTATION OF IDAHO REPORTS ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION.

COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.