>> 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.

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

* * >> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL "IDAHO REPORTS" COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, KICKING OFF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN, I'M JOINED TODAY BY ALEX ADAMS, HEAD OF THE DIVISION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND KEVIN RICHARD OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

BE SURE TO STAY TUNED AFTER THE ADDRESS FOR THEIR LIVE ANALYSIS AND REACTIONS.

GOVERNOR LITTLE WILL BE ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATURE FROM A SEPARATE LOCATION TODAY, UNLIKE MOST YEARS WHERE HE GOES TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER TO ADDRESS THEM AND IDAHO'S CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND JUSTICES IN PERSON.

WE ARE WAITING FOR HIM ANY MINUTE NOW TO START HIS SPEECH SO LET'S LISTEN IN.

>> MY FELLOW IDAHOANS, IN THE 245-YEAR HISTORY OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, AMERICANS HAVE BEEN THROUGH TRIUMPHS AND TRIALS.

THE DARK EVENTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL LAST WEEK DISTURBED US.

THE VIOLENT ACTS OF SOME OVERSHADOWED THE PEACEFUL ACTS OF MANY.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH APTLY DESCRIBED THE EVENTS AS FITTING OF A BANANA REPUBLIC AND NOT OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.

THE RIOTS TARNISHED THE SHINING VALUES AMERICA STANDS FOR.

THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE.

HOSTILITY AND VIOLENCE ARE NOT AN EXPRESSION OF YOUR RIGHTS; THEY ARE A VIOLATION OF EVERYONE ELSE'S.

WHILE WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THE OPENNESS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, A FENCE IS BEING ERECTED AROUND THE U.S. CAPITOL.

I MOURN THE LOSS OF LIFE AND THE LOSS OF ACCESS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS.

BUT I BELIEVE WE, THE PEOPLE, HAVE THE POWER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION.

HOW?

BY CONDEMNING THE UPHEAVAL AND NOT DEFENDING OR DENYING.

BY REFUSING TO BE INTIMIDATED BY THOSE WHO SEEK TO DESTROY OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, BY REDOUBLING OUR COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND CIVIL DISCOURSE, NOT JUST IN THE HALLS OF THE CAPITOL, BUT IN ALL AREAS OF OUR LIVES.

IN IDAHO, WE CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL OF OUR STATE HOUSE.

THIS YEAR, A BUILDING KNOWN AS THE CAPITOL OF LIGHT.

WHAT AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO LET THE LIGHT OF DEMOCRACY SHINE, TODAY AND FOR 100 MORE YEARS AND BEYOND.

THE OPENNESS OF OUR POLITICAL PROCESS IN IDAHO IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE OPENNESS OF THIS BUILDING.

LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY.

IN PREPARING THIS SPEECH, I LOOKED BACK ON MY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LAST YEAR.

I BEGAN BY SAYING, WHAT A YEAR!

WE HAD JUST WRAPPED UP A YEAR OF HISTORIC REGULATORY REFORMS, INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, AND OTHER SHARED ACHIEVEMENTS.

I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO REPEAT THAT REMARK AGAIN THIS YEAR.

ONE YEAR AGO, A GLOBAL PANDEMIC WAS NOT ON OUR RADAR.

WE'VE COME A LONG WAY IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE ENEMY VIRUS, AND WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A SAFE VACCINE JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE END OF THE BATTLE IS IN SIGHT.

WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH AND TOGETHER, WE WILL FINISH STRONG.

I WANT TO THANK MY WIFE AND OUR FIRST LADY THERESA FOR HER UNRELENTING SUPPORT FOR IDAHOANS DIRK A VERY CHALLENGING YEAR.

THERESA, YOU'RE A SOURCE OF PEACE AND STRENGTH FOR ME AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

I'M PROUD OF YOU AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE FOR YOUR WORK DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION.

UNLIKE MANY STATES, IDAHO PROACTIVELY ADDRESSES SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE GENERAL ELECTION AND PROTECTED BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES RESPONSIBLY OPERATING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SADLY, WE HAVE LOST OVER 1,500 OF OUR FELLOW IDAHOANS TO A NEW, DANGEROUS, AND DEADLY DISEASE.

THOUSANDS OF IDAHOANS OF ALL AGES AND HEALTH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED.

MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS LOST TIME AT WORK AND FACE LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS.

TO THE MOTHERS AND FATHERS, CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, AND VETERANS IMPACTED, OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER OUR FELLOW IDAHOANS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES TO COVID-19.

THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, THE WOMEN AND MEN IN SCRUBS HAVE BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF HEROIC.

IDAHO'S NURSES, DOCTORS, AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS PUT THEIR OWN SAFETY ON THE LINE, PULLING EXTRA SHIFTS TO CARE FOR THE INFLUX OF COVID-19 PATIENTS IN OUR HOSPITALS.

IDAHO'S HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF SHARING RESOURCES AND SHIFTING OPERATIONS TO PREVENT A CRISIS.

THEY HAVE ALSO SHARED THE REALITY OF COVID-19.

THEY ARE TELLING THE STORIES OF COVID-19 PATIENTS, THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHOSE ORGANS ARE SHUTTING DOWN FROM AN AGGRESSIVE DISEASE; THE STORIES OF YOUNG, HEALTHY PEOPLE WHO ENDED UP ON LIFE SUPPORT; THE STORIES OF VETERANS WHO FOUGHT ENEMIES OVERSEAS ONLY TO SUFFER FROM A NEW INVISIBLE ENEMY HERE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE TELLING THE STORIES OF EXHAUSTED DOCTORS AND NURSES CARING FOR PATIENTS WHO CANNOT BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

THE COVID REALITY IS HEART BREAKING.

TO IDAHO'S HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS, THANK YOU.

THE PANDEMIC TURNED OUR WORK LIVES, SOCIAL LIVES, AND HOME LIVES UPSIDE DOWN.

IT PUSHED OUR HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, AND UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEMS TO NEW LENGTHS.

IT DIVIDED AMERICANS IN OUR INDIVIDUAL VIEWS ON THE SEVERITY OF THE DISEASE AND HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO IT.

BUT THE PANDEMIC ALSO REMINDS US THAT IN TROUBLED TIMES, WE HAVE CHOICES.

WE CAN CHOOSE COMPASSION OVER CONFLICT.

LISTENING OVER LECTURING.

HUMANITY OVER HOSTILITY.

THESE CHOICES START WITH EACH ONE OF US, INDIVIDUALLY, IN OUR HEARTS.

IT IS A CONCEPT THAT ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH THE FIERCELY INDEPENDENT AND SELF-RELIANT SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO.

I CHOOSE TO REMEMBER THE HISTORIC YEAR BY THE INNUMERABLE ACTS OF KINDNESS DISPLAYED BY MANY IDAHOANS OVER THE ACTS OF AGGRESSION BY A FEW.

FROM THE BEGINNING, MY GOAL AS GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TO MAKE IDAHO THE PLACE WHERE WE ALL CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE, WHERE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN CHOOSE TO STAY, AND FOR THE ONES WHO HAVE LEFT TO CHOOSE TO RETURN.

THAT PURSUIT STEERED OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

NOT ONE STATE OR COUNTRY IN THE WORLD OPTED FOR THE "NO ACTION" ALTERNATIVE.

THAT APPROACH WOULD HAVE ENDED IN CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF LIFE AND DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ECONOMY.

MY NORTH STAR DURING THIS TRYING TIME HAS BEEN TO PROTECT LIFE AND CRITICAL HEALTH CARE CAPACITY WHILE SUPPORTING FAITH, FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND STUDENTS.

NO OTHER STATE PRIORITIZED SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND THE WORKFORCE AS MUCH AS IDAHO.

WE ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF BUSINESS LEADERS FROM COMPANIES BIG AND SMALL TO GUIDE DECISIONS ON OUR ECONOMIC REBOUND PLAN.

WE PUT MORE THAN $300 MILLION TOWARD GRANTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE HELPED GET WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB.

WE LOWERED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES FOR NEARLY ALL IDAHO BUSINESSES.

WE ENSURED PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL HAD ALL THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROTECT OUR LOVED ONES, WHILE GIVING $126 MILLION BACK TO PROPERTY TAXPAYERS.

AND IDAHO WILL BENEFIT FOR YEARS TO COME FROM THE $50 MILLION INVESTMENT IN BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT REMOTE WORKING AND LEARNING AND MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN RURAL IDAHO.

WE ALL PLAY A ROLE IN CHOOSING TO PROTECT LIVES, OUR ECONOMY, AND OUR KIDS' ABILITY TO CONTINUE LEARNING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY SHARED BY ALL OF US.

BUT OUR STATE DOES PLAY A ROLE IN TIMES OF AN EMERGENCY.

WE INCREASED AND EXPEDITED COVID-19 TESTING AND TOOK OTHER STEPS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO A NEW DISEASE.

WE RAISED CAPACITY AT THE STATE LAB TO MORE QUICKLY TURN AROUND RESULTS FROM AN INCREASED NUMBER OF TESTS ADMINISTERED IN SCHOOLS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

WE ENABLED PHARMACISTS TO ADMINISTER TESTING AND VACCINATIONS.

OUR STAGED ECONOMIC REBOUND PLAN HAD ONE GOAL: TO PROTECT LIVES AND PREVENT A CRISIS IN OUR HOSPITALS WHILE THE ECONOMY COULD MOVE FORWARD.

BUSINESSES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP IN IDAHO HAVE BEEN OPEN LONGER THAN ALMOST EVERY OTHER STATE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS, GUIDELINES, AND RECOMMENDED PROTOCOLS WE MADE AVAILABLE ARE FOR EACH ONE OF US TO CHOOSE TO FOLLOW SO IDAHO CAN STAY OPEN.

IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES, WE NEEDED TO ELEVATE HEALTHCARE CAPACITY SO WE COULD ALL CONTINUE TO ACCESS CARE.

TO MINIMIZE THE TIME COVID-19 PATIENTS SPEND IN THE HOSPITAL, WE ALLOCATED NEW AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS.

TO BETTER PROTECT RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, WE DESIGNATED COVID-ONLY FACILITIES AND PUT MILLIONS TOWARD TESTING OF FACILITY WORKERS.

IN THE SPRING, IDAHOANS COLLECTIVELY SLOWED THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE WHILE WE WORKED TO PREPARE OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

IT WORKED.

HOSPITALS, CLINICS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVED MORE RESOURCES AND STAFF TO HANDLE AN INFLUX OF PATIENTS.

WE CUT RED TAPE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MORE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

IT WORKED.

WE LICENSED 1,100 MORE NURSING PROFESSIONALS SINCE LAST SPRING.

AND WE LIFTED REGULATIONS TO EXPAND TELEHEALTH ACCESS IT WORKED.

THE USE OF TELEHEALTH ROSE BY 4,000% AND IDAHOANS IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE COULD CONTINUE TO ACCESS CARE FROM THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES.

THE PANDEMIC OPENED THE DOOR TO GREAT ADVANCES IN TELEHEALTH ACCESS.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THOSE RED TAPE CUTS PERMANENT!

I ALSO ACTIVATED THE IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD TO INCREASE HEALTH CARE CAPACITY.

THE GUARDSMEN ARE DEPLOYED ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP WITH TESTING, DECONTAMINATION, AND PLANNING, AND THEY'RE ASSISTING WITH CRITICAL VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE GUARD ARE ALWAYS PREPARED TO SERVE, ESPECIALLY IN A TIME OF EMERGENCY.

WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE.

MEMBERS OF THE SEVEN PUBLIC HEALTH BOARDS MADE COURAGEOUS DECISIONS IN THE FACE OF HEATED OPPOSITION.

THEY HAVE MY SUPPORT.

MAYORS, COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS, AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ALSO MADE VERY TOUGH DECISIONS.

THESE LOCAL LEADERS LABORED LATE INTO THE EVENING.

THEY NAVIGATED NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO INFORM THE PUBLIC.

THEY WRESTLED WITH DECISIONS THEY KNEW WOULD DRAW CRITICISM.

THANK YOU.

UNLIKE MANY OTHER STATES, ALMOST ALL IDAHO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DELIVERING FULL OR PARTIAL IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

FOR MONTHS, TEACHERS AND OTHERS HAVE ACCOMMODATED CHANGES IN THE DELIVERY OF EDUCATION UNDER UNCERTAIN TIME FRAMES.

I JOIN MANY IN EXPRESSING MY DEEP APPRECIATION TO THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR STUDENTS DURING THESE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.

TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL OFFICIALS, IDAHO CREATED A FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE LOCAL DECISION-MAKING ON SAFE SCHOOL OPERATIONS WHILE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND CLASSMATES.

WE ALSO MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, BUMPING UP FUNDING BY $300 MILLION OR 16% OVERALL, TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, TEACHERS, FAMILIES, AND SAFETY.

PARENTS CONTINUE TO DO MUCH OF THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION DURING THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME PANDEMIC.

I KNOW IT ISN'T EASY.

I KNOW AT TIMES, IT HAS FELT IMPOSSIBLE TO BALANCE WORK DEMANDS WHILE FACILITATING ONLINE LEARNING FOR YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME.

MANY OF YOU LOST PAYCHECKS OR LEFT YOUR JOBS TO BE THERE FOR YOUR CHILDREN DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME.

OUR $50 MILLION "STRONG FAMILIES, STRONG STUDENTS" INITIATIVE SUPPORTED MANY OF THESE FAMILIES BY HELPING THEM ACCESS THE TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL AT-HOME LEARNING.

LIKE A TORNADO, 2020 WAS DAMAGING AND DEADLY.

BUT WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A SAFE VACCINE JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE DARK CLOUDS OF THE PANDEMIC ARE STARTING TO PART.

THERE IS AN UPLIFTING SENSE THAT WE MAY BE IN THE FINAL LAP OF THIS RACE AGAINST COVID-19.

THE FINISH LINE IS CLOSE, BUT THE WORST PART OF THE PANDEMIC MAY NOT BE BEHIND US.

WE CANNOT RELENT IN OUR PERSONAL ACTIONS TO PROTECT EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE WE HOLD DEAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE CRITICAL WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

ADAPTATION, DETERMINATION, AND RESILIENCE DEFINE IDAHOANS.

AS WE REFLECT ON A MOMENTOUS YEAR, WE ARE MORE THAN READY TO LOOK AHEAD.

THE STATE OF THE STATE IS STRONG.

TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN IDAHO, WE MUST CONTINUE TO LEAD THE NATION IN ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT IDAHO RANKS FIRST AMONG STATES FOR ECONOMIC MOMENTUM.

IDAHO RANKS FIRST FOR FINANCIAL SOLVENCY AND PERSONAL INCOME GROWTH.

TOGETHER, THE LEGISLATURE AND I LAID THE GROUNDWORK BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TO REBOUND QUICKLY DURING TOUGH TIMES, PROVING ONCE AGAIN THAT CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNING BRING OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS DURING THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS.

A ROBUST ECONOMY CANNOT EXIST WITH BURDENSOME REGULATIONS ON CITIZENS AND BUSINESS.

PART OF THE REASON IDAHO'S ECONOMY IS CATAPULTING AHEAD OF OTHER STATES IS BECAUSE OF THE REGULATORY ROLLBACKS WE ACHIEVED TOGETHER BEFORE AND DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TOGETHER, THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR ADMINISTRATION ACHIEVED HISTORIC REGULATORY CUTS IN MY FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR, MAKING IDAHO THE LEAST REGULATED STATE IN THE NATION.

FOR TWO STRAIGHT YEARS, WE'VE CUT RED TAPE.

THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO CAN BE ASSURED THAT, TOGETHER, THEIR GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS WILL MAINTAIN A LEAN AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF REGULATIONS IN IDAHO MOVING FORWARD.

SIMPLY PUT, FISCAL CONSERVATISM AND THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES HAVE POSITIONED IDAHO TO EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC STRONGER THAN EVER.

TOGETHER, BEFORE COVID-19, THE LEGISLATURE AND I WERE ALREADY PREPARING FOR AN INEVITABLE SLOWDOWN OF IDAHO'S ECONOMY.

WE LIMITED GOVERNMENT SPENDING, USED CONSERVATIVE REVENUE FORECASTING, AND MAINTAINED HEALTHY RAINY-DAY BALANCES.

WE TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM SOME WHO COULD NOT WRAP THEIR HEADS AROUND THIS BASIC CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLE: THE TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE BAD TIMES IS IN THE GOOD TIMES.

TURNS OUT WE WERE RIGHT.

WHILE OTHER STATES FACE POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS OF 20% TO 40% AND MORE, IDAHO IS IN THE ENVIABLE POSITION OF HAVING A RECORD BUDGET SURPLUS.

THE SOUND DECISIONS OF IDAHO LEADERS IN THE PAST HAVE GOTTEN US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

LET'S KEEP OUR STATE ON THIS STRONG ECONOMIC TRAJECTORY, TOGETHER.

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE MEANINGFUL INVESTMENTS.

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE MY NEW PLAN TO PUT MORE MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF HARDWORKING IDAHOANS AND MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO PROPEL OUR STATE EVEN FURTHER AHEAD IN PROSPERITY.

MY PLAN IS CALLED "BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE."

I AM PROPOSING MORE THAN $450 MILLION IN TAX RELIEF.

THIS WOULD BE AMONG THE SINGLE LARGEST TAX CUTS IN IDAHO HISTORY.

TO GET THERE, I'M PROPOSING $295 MILLION IN ONE-TIME TAX RELIEF AND $160 MILLION IN PERMANENT TAX CUTS TO BOOST IDAHOANS' PROSPERITY WHILE KEEPING OUR TAX RATES COMPETITIVE AND OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE VIBRANT.

CURBING GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND RETURNING TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD BE THE PERPETUAL MISSION OF PUBLIC SERVANTS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY PARTNERS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO GET TAX RELIEF ACROSS THE FINISH LINE FOR OUR CITIZENS.

MY PLAN ALSO SHORES UP MILLIONS MORE IN CASH PAYMENTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS, ON TOP OF THE $300 MILLION WE DIRECTED TO SMALL BUSINESSES LAST YEAR.

SMALL BUSINESS IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ENTIRE WAY OF LIFE.

WE'RE ABLE TO ACHIEVE TAX RELIEF AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN PART BECAUSE, TOGETHER, WE CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING EARLY ON.

MY PLAN REINVESTS THESE SAVINGS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH LONG-LASTING VALUE.

WITH THESE INVESTMENTS, WE WILL HELP PRESERVE ONE OF OUR CITIZENS' MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY: THEIR TIME.

WE WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN IDAHO IF WE CANNOT ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ESPECIALLY AS OUR STATE CONTINUES TO ATTRACT NEWCOMERS FLEEING DYSFUNCTIONAL STATES.

NO ONE WANTS TO BE STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHEN THEY CAN SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY.

MY PLAN INVESTS $126 MILLION IN STATE AND LOCAL HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND MAKES TARGETED INVESTMENTS IN SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS, RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND COMMUNITY AIRPORTS.

I AM ALSO PROPOSING $80 MILLION IN NEW ONGOING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

A DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS FUNDAMENTAL TO COMMERCE.

IN IDAHO, WE GROW AND PROCESS MOST OF OUR COMMODITIES, AND GETTING THOSE PRODUCTS DOWN THE ROAD IN A TIMELY FASHION IS CRITICAL.

IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE, MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS CONTINUE TO GET PUSHED OUT FURTHER AND FURTHER.

ONE OF THE BASIC ROLES OF GOVERNMENT IS TO ENSURE A SAFE, CONNECTED SYSTEM OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.

WE CANNOT IGNORE A GROWING PROBLEM THAT STEALS IDAHOANS' TIME AND THREATENS THEIR SAFETY AND OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

WE CANNOT DELAY ANY LONGER IN EXECUTING A SUSTAINABLE PLAN FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING INTO THE FUTURE.

WE CANNOT POSTPONE SECURING A LONG-TERM FUNDING SOURCE.

WE MUST ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS FOR THIS GENERATION AND THE NEXT.

WE MUST ACT NOW.

THE LEGISLATURE AND I WILL WORK TOGETHER ON A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PLAN, ONE THAT BLENDS BOTH GENERAL FUND AND RELIABLE USER FEES TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY DRIVING FORWARD.

SAFE COMMUNITIES FORM A THRIVING IDAHO.

MY PLAN ALSO INVESTS IN THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT'S NEVER BEEN A MORE DIFFICULT TIME TO PUT ON THE UNIFORM.

THESE BRAVE SOULS DEMONSTRATE GREAT RESTRAINT IN ORDER TO DEESCALATE INTENSE SITUATIONS.

THEIR PATH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT STEMS FROM A TRUE DESIRE TO SERVE AND PROTECT US.

THEY ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE BEST TRAINING AND BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

MY PLAN INVESTS IN THE ITEMS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT FRONTLINE PERSONNEL AT THE IDAHO STATE POLICE, AND TRAINING FOR OUR LOCAL FRONTLINE POLICE OFFICERS.

WHILE OTHER PLACES SEEK TO DEFUND THE POLICE, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT IDAHO DEFENDS THE POLICE.

IDAHO BACKS THE BLUE.

ANOTHER WAY WE MAKE IDAHO SAFE IS THROUGH A LOW CRIME RATE.

OUR SAFETY IS MAINTAINED HEN THOSE RETURNING HOME FROM A PERIOD OF INCARCERATION CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

THANKS TO INVESTMENTS WE MADE IN OUR CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM LAST YEAR, IDAHO IS SAFER BECAUSE FEWER IDAHO INMATES ARE VIOLATING PAROLE.

MY PLAN KEEPS US ON A PATH TO SAVE TAXPAYER RESOURCES BY MAKING STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN OVERDUE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SO WE CAN BREAK THE EXPENSIVE REVOLVING DOOR OF REPEAT OFFENDERS.

MY BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE PLAN ALSO INVESTS IN NEEDED PROJECTS FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TO AID IN THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF RURAL IDAHO.

IN IDAHO, AGRICULTURE REMAINS A WAY OF LIFE.

LAST YEAR, IDAHO'S FARMERS, RANCHERS AND ALLIED BUSINESSES MET A CRISIS WITH INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR GENERATIONS.

FARMERS GAVE IDAHOANS FAITH THAT EMPTY GROCERY STORE SHELVES WERE JUST A MATTER OF TIMING AND NOT AN ISSUE OF TRUE SCARCITY.

IDAHO AGRICULTURE CONTINUED TO FEED THE STATE, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD.

AGRICULTURE, AND OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE, DEPENDS ON SAFE AND DEPENDABLE WATER SOURCES.

WATER IS TRULY THE SOURCE OF LIFE.

WATER IS TRULY THE SOURCE OF LIFE IN IDAHO.

MY PLAN MAKES $60 MILLION IN STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN LONG-TERM WATER PROJECTS AND SAFE WATER SYSTEMS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

LET ME RETURN TO MY TOP PRIORITY: IDAHO'S CHILDREN.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT GIVES THE NEXT GENERATION OF IDAHOAS A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT HERE AT HOME IN IDAHO.

THE PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTED SCHOOLS AS THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE BEDROCK OF A STRONG ECONOMY.

BUT WITH ALL THE DISRUPTIONS IN EDUCATION DELIVERY OVER THE PAST TEN MONTHS, MANY OF IDAHO'S STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING A LEARNING LOSS.

FOR SOME STUDENTS WHO WERE ALREADY ON TRACK, THE LEARNING LOSS COULD RANGE A FEW MONTHS.

BUT OUR NEEDIER STUDENTS MAY HAVE LOST MORE THAN A YEAR'S WORTH OF LEARNING.

WE MUST CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

TO HELP, MY "BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE" PLAN RECOMMENDS INVESTMENTS IN LITERACY, MY HIGHEST PRIORITY IN EDUCATION.

WE MUST ENSURE THIS SCHOOL YEAR IS AN ANOMALY, NOT A PERMANENT SYSTEM-WIDE FLAW FOR IDAHO'S STUDENTS IN THE NEXT DECADE OR MORE.

WE MUST MAKE SURE ALL YOUNG STUDENTS ARE ON TRACK TO READ BY THE END OF THE THIRD GRADE.

OUR STUDENTS ARE ALSO IDAHO'S FUTURE WORKFORCE.

MY PLAN SUPPORTS IDAHO'S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ACROSS IDAHO THAT CONNECT STUDENTS WITH EMPLOYERS WHO NEED THEM AND EQUIP STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED WHILE THEY EARN A DEGREE.

OUR KIDS NEED TO KNOW ALL CAREER PATHS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

FOR OUR KIDS TO HAVE A FUTURE IN IDAHO, THEY ALSO NEED EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.

LAST YEAR, A FAMILY IN KOOTENAI COUNTY WAS STRUGGLING WITH DISTANCE LEARNING.

THE FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND, SO THE TWO CHILDREN HAD TO USE THEIR MOM'S CELL PHONE AND DATA PLAN TO COMPLETE THEIR SCHOOLWORK.

IN ARIMO, STUDENTS STRUGGLED DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH EQUAL ACCESS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE INTERNET SPEEDS NECESSARY FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING.

NOW, THANKS TO OUR INVESTMENTS, THESE STUDENTS HAVE BETTER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE ARE MANY MORE STORIES LIKE THESE.

SIMPLY PUT, BROADBAND ACCESS IS CENTRAL TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND EDUCATION.

WE'VE MADE MAJOR PROGRESS, FROM ABERDEEN TO WINCHESTER, AND MY PLAN CONTINUES THAT MOMENTUM.

BEYOND MY "BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE" PLAN, I'M PROPOSING A NO-FRILLS BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022.

MY BUDGET LEAVES A PRUDENT SURPLUS, BOLSTERS RAINY-DAY FUNDS, AND REFLECTS MY CONTINUED PRIORITY ON EDUCATION, INCLUDING OUR VALUABLE TEACHERS.

MY BUDGET MEETS OUR HISTORIC COMMITMENT TO TEACHERS BY FULLY IMPLEMENTING OUR $250 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE CAREER LADDER.

TO HELP IN THE ONGOING PANDEMIC RESPONSE, MY BUDGET ALSO BOLSTERS IDAHO'S PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

I'M RECOMMENDING FUNDS TO INCREASE NURSING CAPACITY AND ALSO TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF PHYSICIANS ACROSS IDAHO.

I ALSO PROPOSE PUTTING MORE THAN $250 MILLION TOWARD OUR HOMESTRETCH EFFORTS TO FINISH THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

IDAHOANS SPENT MORE TIME OUTDOORS IN THE PAST YEAR THAN PERHAPS EVER BEFORE.

THE OUTDOORS OFFERS IDAHO FAMILIES A SENSE OF RELEASE AND FUN.

TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND MAKE IDAHO THE PLACE WHERE FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN RECREATE OUTDOORS, I'M ALSO RECOMMENDING WE RAMP UP INVESTMENTS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LANDS AND REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK.

ACTIVISTS ARE TRYING TO REBRAND WILDFIRES AS CLIMATE FIRES, A DIVISIVE, DEFEATIST TERM THAT DOES NOT ACCURATELY CAPTURE THE WEST'S FIRE PROBLEM AND DISMISSES THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THROUGH COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY AND SHARED STEWARDSHIP, IDAHO IS FOCUSED ON A SOLUTION: ACTIVE LAND MANAGEMENT.

LONG GONE ARE THE DAYS OF NO-ACTION TACTICS THAT DON'T WORK TO PROTECT THE LAND OR LIVELIHOODS.

IDAHO IS ACTIVELY MAPPING OUT THE FUTURE OF OUR FORESTS, AND YOUR GRANDKIDS AND MINE WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM OUR ACTIONS TODAY.

IN IDAHO, WE BELIEVE GOVERNMENT MUST BE RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES.

TO EASE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT, I'M RECOMMENDING THE CREATION OF A NEW ONE STOP SHOP FOR IDAHOANS TO ACCESS PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE ENTITY.

STATE CONTROLLER BRANDON WOOLF, MY PARTNER IN GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY, WILL ADMINISTER THE NEW ONLINE RESOURCE FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT.

THE ONGOING GROWTH IN THE STATE BUDGET, JUST 3.8%, IS AMONG THE MOST CONSERVATIVE IN YEARS.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING, AND QUICK ACTION DURING THE PANDEMIC, ARE THE REASONS IDAHO IS EXCELLING WHILE OTHER STATES' ECONOMIES AND STATE BUDGETS ARE PUMMELED.

LET'S CONTINUE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS AND MAKE INVESTMENTS WHERE THEY COUNT.

I'LL REPEAT IT: WHAT A YEAR WE HAD.

MY FELLOW IDAHOANS, THE PANDEMIC MADE US APPRECIATE PARTS F LIFE WE TOOK FOR GRANTED, AND I DON'T JUST MEAN THE AVAILABILITY OF TOILET PAPER.

WE LEARNED NOT TO TAKE FOR GRANTED TIME WITH FAMILY, OUR FAITH, AND OUR FREEDOM.

DESPITE ALL THE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, I KNOW THIS: WE ARE UNITED IN OUR LOVE FOR IDAHO AND THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS.

I AM REMINDED OF THE TIMELESS WORDS OF ONE OF MY HEROES, PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN.

HE SAID, QUOTE, THE CRISIS WE'RE FACING TODAY DOES REQUIRE OUR BEST EFFORT AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO BELIEVE IN OURSELVES AND TO BELIEVE IN OUR CAPACITY TO PERFORM GREAT DEEDS, TO BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER, WITH GOD'S HELP, WE CAN AND WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS WHICH NOW CONFRONT US.

AND AFTER ALL, WHY SHOULDN'T WE BELIEVE THAT?

I BELIEVE HISTORY WILL REMEMBER IDAHOANS' TREMENDOUS OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC.

I WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO FOR THEIR PERSEVERANCE AND THE CARE THEY HAVE SHOWN OTHERS OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS.

IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP, OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH EMERGES.

AS IDAHOANS, WE MUST CHOOSE TO COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT, AND MORE UNITED THAN EVER BEFORE.

GOD BLESS IDAHO, AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT WAS GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, KICKING OFF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

JOINING ME TODAY IS KEVIN RICHARD OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS AND ALEX ADAMS, CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

ALEX, I WANTED TO START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU JUST GIVE US THE HIGH-LEVEL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET WE JUST HEARD?

>> SURE, MELISSA.

WHAT I HEARD FROM GOVERNOR LITTLE WAS A MESSAGE OF OPTIMISM, A MESSAGE THAT IDAHO HAS THE CHANCE TO EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC EVEN STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT THAN BEFORE.

BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF GOVERNOR LITTLE AND OTHERS, IDAHO IS LEADING THE NATION IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

WE'RE SITTING ON THE LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUS IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IDAHO.

MUCH OF THAT RECOVERY SEEMS UNIMAGINABLE JUST MONTHS AGO, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN, THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT HIS PLAN, WHAT HE CALLED BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE.

TWO KEY PARTS TO IT.

FIRST PART WAS RECORD TAX RELIEF, $455 MILLION TAX RELIEF TO PUT MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF IDAHOANS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE LARGEST SINGLE TAX CUTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IDAHO.

THE SECOND PART OF THE BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE PLAN WAS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PACKAGE, $330 MILLION.

THAT WOULD GO TO WATER, ROADS, BRIDGES, BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

JUST AS ONE EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNOR SET ASIDE $35 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET TO REALLY FOCUS ON THOSE RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE GREAT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

SO OVERALL, IT'S A CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, ONE THAT REINVESTS THE SURPLUS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCUMULATE THIS YEAR IN BOTH TAX RELIEF FOR IDAHOANS AS WELL AS MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS THAT WILL HAVE LONG-LASTING IMPACT FOR ALL IDAHO CITIZENS.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO SOME OF THE BUDGET SPECIFICS, I WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE FACT THAT HE STARTED THIS SPEECH WITH A CONDEMNATION OF THE VIOLATION AND EXTREMISM.

AS WE START THE 2021 SESSION, NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER THE SIEGE ON THE U.S. CAPITOL, AND MONTHS AFTER WE SAW THAT KIND OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND VIOLENT PROTESTS FRANKLY, IN IDAHO DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, ALEX, IS THE GOVERNOR CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY AT THE CAPITOL THIS YEAR?

>> SO THE GOVERNOR'S WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, HAVING A PLAN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID IS WE INVESTED SOME OF THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF DOLLARS INTO ENHANCED SECURITY FOR THE SESSION, SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE TO KEEP FOLKS SAFE.

THE STATE ALSO MADE $1.4 MILLION AVAILABLE TO UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE CAPITOL AND HELP FACILITATE REMOTE TESTIMONY.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR'S ENCOURAGED HIS AGENCY DIRECTORS TO THE EXTENT ALLOWABLE TO DO TESTIMONY REMOTELY, WHETHER THERE WAS ANY RULES, EXECUTIVE AGENCY, LEGISLATION OR EVEN THEIR BUDGETS.

>> KEVIN, I WANT TO BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION.

EDUCATION ALWAYS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BUDGET ASKS, EVERY SINGLE YEAR BOTH IN GENERAL FUNDS AND OVERALL SPENDING.

WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU ABOUT THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL?

>> WHAT STOOD OUT IS THE GOVERNOR'S TRYING TO DO SOME REBUILDING.

THIS BUDGET AND THIS PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR IN GENERAL FEELS LIKE IT'S BUILT AROUND THE IDEA OF MOVING PAST THE NEWS OF THE PAST YEAR, TO LIFE AFTER CORONAVIRUS OR LIFE WITH CORONAVIRUS CONTAINED.

SO HE'S TRYING TO REINVEST IN EDUCATION, INCLUDING REINVESTING IN CONTINUING THE INVESTMENT IN THE CAREER LADDER THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT ALSO SOME REINVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS STRUCK BY AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE DETAILS ABOUT IS THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO PUT $20 MILLION OF MONEY INTO SUMMER READING PROGRAMS.

NO SECRET.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT LITERACY.

HE'S BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT EARLY LEADING SKILLS FOR HIS ENTIRE TWO YEARS IN OFFICE.

NOW, THAT TAKES ON SOME NEW IMPORT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLICATIONS OF EDUCATION DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE MIX OF ONLINE LEARNING AND HYBRID LEARNING AND MOVEMENT AWAY FROM BEING ABLE TO OFFER FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING.

SO I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE THE DETAILS OF THAT $20 MILLION PLAN AND HOW IT MIGHT GET SPENT.

>> ALEX, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO THE THINKING BEHIND THIS SPECIFIC SUMMER PROGRAM?

IS IT GOING TO BE -- ASSUMING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK TO ALL WIDESPREAD, IN-PERSON LEARNING BY THAT POINT, WHAT SORT OF STRUCTURES ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE FOR THAT $20 MILLION INVESTMENT?

>> SURE.

WELL, MELISSA, I THINK THE DETAILS WILL STILL -- ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND WHEN THEY PRESENT TO JPAC HERE IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS, MORE OF A PLAN WILL BE REVEALED.

BUT I THINK WHERE WE WERE STANDING FROM WAS OUR TEACHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING UNDER HISTORIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR REALLY EXTENDS HIS THANKS AND GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK ALL OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE DONE TO KEEP THEIR STUDENTS SAFE AND TO KEEP THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT GOING UNDER THE HISTORIC CIRCUMSTANCES, AND I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO DO IS ENSURE THAT THIS DOESN'T BECOME A BLIP ON PEOPLE'S TRANSCRIPTS, THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY SCHOOL WAS DELIVERED THIS YEAR, HE DOESN'T WANT STUDENTS TO FALL BEHIND AND HE WANTS THESE RESOURCES TO BE USED TO HELP CLOSE THAT GAP AND ENSURE THAT THE STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR ARE READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

ONE THING I DO WANT TO NOTE ABOUT THE K-12 BUDGET IS WHAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR WAS FULLY IMPLEMENTING HIS CAREER LADDER.

LAST YEAR, HE FOUGHT HARD AT THE LEGISLATURE TO BUILD UP THE CAREER LADDER FOR THE MOST EXPERIENCED TEACHERS.

IT AMOUNTED TO ABOUT A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS INVESTMENT IN TEACHERS' SALARY AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE'S BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE THE BUDGET PRUDENTLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, HE'S BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND WE MIGHT BE ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT CAN SAY WE MADE RECORD INVESTMENTS IN TEACHER PAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

THE GOVERNOR BUILT GROWTH ON TOP OF THAT SO THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT RUNG WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO JUMP AHEAD.

JUST A COUPLE OF THE OTHER THINGS ON EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR DID MAKE QUITE A BIT OF INVESTMENTS I IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

ONE IN PARTICULAR IS INVESTMENTS IN NURSING EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SET ASIDE $1 MILLION IN HIS BUDGET TO INVEST IN EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR TEACHING NURSES IN OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

HE KNOWS THAT IT'S CRITICAL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE HOMEGROWN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATING THEM IN IDAHO IS KEY TO KEEPING THEM IN IDAHO.

>> AND I WANT TO GET TO HIGHER ED IN JUST A SECOND, BUT KEVIN, FOR THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THE DISCUSSION, CAN YOU GIVE US A RUNDOWN OF WHAT THE CAREER LADDER IS, AND WHY IT'S BEEN SUCH A FRAUGHT SUBJECT, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS?

>> WELL, THE CAREER LADDER WENT INTO EFFECT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAST DECADE.

IT GOES BACK SOME TIME.

AND OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE IDEA HAS BEEN TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CAREER LADDER OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN FOCUSED LARGELY ON HELPING BEGINNING TEACHERS OR TEACHERS AT THE STARTING RANGE OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE WITH THE IDEA OF TRYING TO ATTRACT YOUNG TEACHERS INTO THE PROFESSION AND TRY TO KEEP THEM IN THE PROFESSION FOR A FEW YEARS RATHER THAN SEEING THEM FLEE TO OTHER STATES.

NOW WHAT GOVERNOR LITTLE IS TRYING TO DO IS BUILD ON THAT FIRST PHASE OF THE CAREER LADDER AND PUT MORE MONEY INTO VETERAN TEACHER PAY.

THAT'S BEEN A CONCERN BECAUSE THOSE VETERAN TEACHERS REALLY WEREN'T HELPED ALL THAT MUCH BY THE CAREER LADDER.

SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IF THEY WANTED TO KEEP THEIR VETERAN TEACHERS AND THESE ARE THE TEACHERS THAT ADMINISTRATORS TALKED ABOUT OVER AND OVER, THESE ARE THE ONES WITH EXPERIENCE, THEY'RE THE MENTORS, THEY'RE THE LEADERS WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

TO KEEP THOSE TEACHERS, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE HAD TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FUND TEACHER PAY RAISES ON THEIR OWN, WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO VOTERS FOR A TAX LEVE LEVY OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

SO THE GOAL HAS BEEN TO PUT MORE SALARY INCREASES NOW INTO VETERAN TEACHER PAY.

WHY THIS IS SO FRAUGHT WITH COMPLICATIONS, POLITICALLY, IS THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

THIS IS A $250 MILLION ROLL-OUT IN TEACHER SALARIES.

>> BRIEFLY I WANT TO TOUCH ON EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION, BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO TAX CUTS.

THE HIGHER ED INVESTMENTS, BOTH FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND FOR FOUR-YEAR COME DURING DECREASED ENROLLMENT, KEVIN.

>> THEY DO.

AND THOSE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS DROPPED NOT AS SIGNIFICANTLY AS UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS AND COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS FEARED, BUT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A DROP-OFF AND THERE WAS A DROP-OFF IN YOUNG STUDENTS, IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FROM LAST YEAR, GOING ON TO COLLEGE.

WE WROTE LAST WEEK ABOUT HOW ONLY 38% OF THE CLASS OF 2020 THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020, WENT ON TO SOME SORT OF EDUCATION, WHETHER THAT'S COLLEGE OR CAREER TECHNICAL.

THAT'S A 7% DECREASE, 1,400 YOUNG ADULTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

SO THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO PUT SOME MONEY BACK INTO HIGHER EDUCATION AND I WAS STRUCK LOOKING AT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND HEARING ABOUT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL EARLIER TODAY THAT A LOT OF THAT MONEY WILL GO INTO TRYING TO BACKFILL SOME OF THE SPENDING PROBLEMS THAT HIGHER EDUCATION HAS FACED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC, LOSING MONEY, WHETHER IT'S ROOM AND BOARD, MEAL PLANS, MONEY THAT WAS REFUNDED BACK TO STUDENTS WHEN THEY WERE FORCED TO GO HOME.

LOSSES IN ATHLETIC PROGRAMS.

THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO PUT SOME ONE-TIME MONEY BACK INTO COLLEGES' AND UNIVERSITIES' COFFERS TO OFFSET SOME OF THOSE LOSSES FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC BACK IN THE SPRING.

>> A TOPIC I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DISCUSS DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ALEX, LET'S TALK ABOUT TAX CUTS.

MONEY SET ASIDE IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL FOR BOTH ONE-TIME AND ONGOING TAX CUTS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

SO IN TOTAL, AS PART OF THE BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE PLAN, THE GOVERNOR SET ASIDE $455 MILLION IN TAX RELIEF.

OF THAT, $295 MILLION WOULD BE ONE-TIME, AND $160 MILLION WOULD BE ONGOING.

SO FOR THE ONE-TIME RELIEF, $115 MILLION OF IT IS TO CONFORM WITH CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN THE CARES ACT AS WELL AS THE COVID RELIEF ACT THAT WAS SIGNED IN DECEMBER.

THE LARGEST CHUNK OF THAT IS FOR SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE HAD NET OPERATING LOSSES, PERHAPS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, RESTAURANTS BEING A CLASSIC EXAMPLE THERE.

$180 MILLION OF IT IS SET ASIDE AS ONE-TIME RELIEF.

THAT WOULD BE DRAWN FROM THE BUILDUP IN THE TAX RELIEF FUNDS.

TWO YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A SALES TAX ON ONLINE SALES WITH THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THAT GOING INTO A SPECIFIC FUND, THE TAX RELIEF FUND.

IT'S PROJECTED TO BE $180 MILLION.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUILT INTO HIS BUDGET USING THAT FOR ONE-TIME TAX RELIEF, THE SPECIFICS OF THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WIT OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS IN THE LEGISLATURE ON THOSE INTRICATE DETAILS.

SIMILARLY, THE ONGOING RELIEF, THAT WOULD BE AMONG THE LARGEST TAX CUTS IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

IT CERTAINLY PROVIDES A CUSHION TO LOOK AT PROPERTY TAX, INCOME TAX OR SALES TAX RELIEF.

AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE DETAILS OF THOSE.

HE SEES THE ONGOING TAX RELIEF PORTION AS A PACKAGE WITH HIS TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

>> IN THAT $160 MILLION IN PERMANENT TAX CUTS, IS GROCERY TAX AMONG THE SERIOUS CONTENDERS FOR THAT POT OF MONEY?

>> YU KNOW, I THINK ANYONE, MELISSA, THAT'S FOLLOWED THIS LEGISLATURE IN RECENT YEARS KNOWS THERE'S A STRONG APPETITE, PERHAPS PUN INTENDED, TO LOOK AT GROCERY TAX RELIEF, BUT OVER THE OFF-SEASON THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ON PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS AND INCOME TAX RELIEF.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID HIS INTENT WITH TAX RELIEF IS TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING IDAHOANS, BUT ALSO TO ENSURE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND ENSURE THAT IDAHO CONTINUES TO BE A COMPETITIVE STATE RELATIVE TO SURROUNDING STATES.

>> IT'S BEEN A -- [OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS] >> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THOSE EXPENSES, VOTERS APPROVED MEDICAID EXPANSION, PROPOSITION 2, IN 2018, HAVE COMPETED WHAT THE REPORT ANALYSIS INITIALLY ESTIMATED IDAHO WOULD HAVE TO SPEND FOR THAT EXPANSION.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THE BUDGET SPECIFICS FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> SURE.

SO GOVERNOR LITTLE CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT MEDICAID EXPANSION AS PART OF HIS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION.

TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN THE PROPOSAL WAS BEFORE THE VOTERS, THERE WAS A REPORT FROM MILLMAN, A NATIONALLY KNOWN ACTUARIAL FIRM AND THEY PROJECTED THE COST TO BE AT ONE LEVEL.

THEY UPDATED THE REPORT LAST FALL.

IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAID EXPANSION, THEY WERE OFF BY $660 MILLION.

BECAUSE MEDICAID EXPANSION IS A 90-10 COST SHARE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT TRANSLATES INTO A FISCAL IMPACT TO THE STATE OF $66 MILLION.

THAT MEANS WE'RE BUDGETING AT A LEVEL WHERE EARLY EXCITEMENT THAT MEDICAID EXPANSION WOULD PAY FOR ITSELF SO TO SPEAK WITH REDUCTIONS IN OTHER STATE PROGRAMS IS JUST NO LONGER FEASIBLE.

SO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD DONE AS PART OF HIS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION IS HE'S EARMARKED A PORTION THAT WOULD BE A COST-SHARE WITH THE COUNTIES TO REFLECT THE SAVINGS THAT COUNTIES RECEIVE IN THEIR MEDICAL PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF THE STATE COVERING A GREATER SHARE OF THE POPULATION ON MEDICAID, AND THE GOVERNOR HAD ALSO BUILT IN SOME COST CONTAINMENT PORTIONS OF HIS BUDGET TO REFLECT SOME OF THE VARIABLES THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT.

OF NOTE, THE REASON THAT THE PROJECTION WAS OFF IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY COST.

THE COST PER MEMBER, PER MONTH, NOT NECESSARILY AS MUCH BY ENROLLMENT.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAD PUT IN HIS BUDGET SOME REASONABLE STEPS TO START ADDRESSING THE COST SIDE OF THE EQUATION, BUT HE TEMPERED THE RECOMMENDATION BY SAYING IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE SHARING A GREATER PORTION OF SATES' MEDICAID COSTS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND SURE ENOUGH LAST FRIDAY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS EXTENDED THAT THROUGH THE END OF JUNE, WHICH WILL FREE UP AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF MEDICAID BUDGET AND MIGHT ALLOW THE STATE TO PUSH OFF THE CONVERSATION OF COST CONTAINMENT TO ANOTHER YEAR.

I MEAN, WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT A 2023 ISSUE AS OPPOSED TO A '22 ISSUE, BUT IT DOESN'T OBVIATE THE ISSUE OF THE LONG TERM.

>> WHEN WE'RE DISCUSSING HOW MEDICAID EXPANSION HAS EXCEEDED THE INITIAL ESTIMATES FOR A COST AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT JUST MONEY OR ARE WE LOOKING AT POLICY PROPOSALS THAT WOULD AFFECT WHAT KIND OF CARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID WOULD RECEIVE?

>> SO OURS IS A BUDGET PROPOSAL, TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE WOULD BE A COST SHARE WITH THE COUNTIES OR COST CONTAINMENT, THERE WOULD BE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ACCOMPANY THAT.

BUT COST SHARE WITH THE COUNTY TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE WOULD IMPACT THE CARE THAT OHIOENIDAHOANS RECEIVE FROM MEDICAID.

> WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT CORONAVIRUS.

KEVIN, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CLOSELY.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS ADDRESSING COVID-19, WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU?

>> I WAS REALLY KIND OF STRUCK BY THE OPTIMISTIC TONE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN.

AT A TIME WHEN THE DEATH TOLL CONTINUES TO RISE AND AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE SEEING NOT JUST THAT DEATH TOLL RISING STATEWIDE BUT ACROSS THE NATION, I'M GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE IF LEGISLATORS SHARE THAT SENSE OF OPTIMISM AS WE HEAD INTO THIS SESSION BECAUSE WE'RE SO EARLY ON IN THE VACCINE ROLL-OUT, THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED TODAY.

I THINK WE'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SOMEWHERE AROUND 30,000 IDAHOANS HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE AND A FRACTION OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE RECEIVED TWO DOSES OF THE VACCINE THAT YOU NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED.

THIS VACCINATION ROLL-OUT HAS BEEN PRETTY SLOW IN IDAHO AS IT'S BEEN IN MANY STATES AND AS THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT, A ROLL-OUT TO GET TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TO WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN GET ACCESS TO THE VACCINES BY ABOUT MAY.

WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM THERE.

SO I WAS -- BY HIS TONE, I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE IF THAT'S A SHARED SENTIMENT.

>> HAVE I'M CURIOUS, BECAUSE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM TO ME GOING INTO THE SESSION IS THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR LITTLE'S EXECUTIVE POWER AFTER EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS AND ROLLING IDAHO BACK TO STAGE -- MODIFIED STAGE 2, IN RESPONSE TO HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND HEALTHCARE CAPACITY.

GOVERNOR LITTLE ADDRESSED THIS, AT LEAST PARTLY, SAYING THAT THE STATE DOES HAVE A ROLE IN EMERGENCIES, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVEN IN A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, THAT THE STATE DOES HAVE A ROLE.

ALEX, CAN YOU ADDRESS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS WERE TO GO AWAY?

IF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY WERE TO END TODAY, HOW WOULD IT AFFECT IDAHO'S COVID-19 RESPONSE?

>> SURE.

FIRST, LET ME JUST SAY I THINK IT'S ALWAYS HEALTHY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AS PART OF AN AFTER-ACTION REPORT AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE BETTER MOVING FORWARD.

I THINK GOVERNOR LITTLE IS GOING TO STAY LASER FOCUSED THIS SESSION ON THE BUILDING IDAHO'S FUTURE PLAN, AND MAKING STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN ROADS, WATER, BRIDGES AND BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF THE EMERGENCY IS ENDED, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE STATE IS ABLE TO LEVERAGE A COST-SHARE FEDERALLY WITH FEMA ON CERTAIN EXPENSES.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATE HAS DEPLOYED THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THEY'VE BEEN A GODSEND TO MANY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

GUARDSMEN THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER HAD DONE 16,000 TESTS FOR COVID.

THEY HAD 123,000 AT OUTREACHES FOR CONTACT TRACING WHILE HELPING DISTRIBUTE THE FOOD BANK AND HELPING CLEAN SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS' ROOMS AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

WE GET A 75% COST-SHARE ON THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THERE HAS BEEN A FAIR NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CITIES TO COUNTIES THAT ARE COST-SHARING OFF OF FEMA, SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THOSE THAT ARE TAKING ON A 75% COST SHARE FOR SOME OF THOSE, PPE THAT WE'RE SUPPLYING TO HOSPITALS THROUGH THE MILITARY DIVISION OR SOME OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD MEAN THEY HAVE TO CARRY THE FULL WEIGHT OF THOSE BUDGET REQUESTS MOVING FORWARD.

>> AND MELISSA, I WAS STRUCK BY THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT THAT CONTENTIOUS SPECIAL SESSION BACK IN AUGUST.

HE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO THANK THE LEGISLATURE AND COMMEND THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE MOVES THEY'VE MADE IN TERMS OF ELECTION SECURITY, IN TERMS OF CIVIL LIABILITY.

HE DIDN'T BRING UP THAT MAYBE THE MOST DEFINING THING OUT OF THAT AUGUST SESSION MOVING INTO THE 2021 SESSION IS YOU HAD LEGISLATORS WHO WENT ON THE RECORD VERY STRONGLY SAYING THEY WANT TO LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS AND THE LEGISLATURE'S POWERS DURING AN EMERGENCY.

THAT POWER STRUGGLE HASN'T GONE AWAY.

IT HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DEFINING ISSUE AS THIS LEGISLATURE CONVENES.

>> AS WE TALK ABOUT DEFINING ISSUES, COVID-19 HAS REALLY DEFINED GOVERNOR LITTLE'S SECOND YEAR IN OFFICE, AND ALL IDAHO GOVERNORS HAVE HAD ISSUES OUT OF THEIR CONTROL THAT HAVE REALLY AFFECTED THEIR POLICY GOALS.

I'M CURIOUS ALEX, LET'S IMAGINE A PARALLEL UNIVERSE WHERE WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

HOW DIFFERENT WOULD THIS YEAR'S STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET PROPOSAL HAVE BEEN?

I IMAGINE WE WOULD STILL SEE A TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT, BUT HOW MUCH HAS CORONAVIRUS SIDETRACKED WHAT GOVERNOR LITTLE WAS HOPING TO DO?

>> MELISSA, THAT'S NOT HOW I WOULD CHARACTERIZE IT.

I ONCE HEARD SOMEBODY SAY TO GOVERNOR LITTLE DURING THIS, HE SAID I BET THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR.

HE SAID YES, IT IS.

I SIGNED UP TO HANDLE WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES GET THROWN AT ME.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IN HIS SPEECH TODAY, IN MOMENTS OF HARDSHIP OFTENTIMES EMERGES OPPORTUNITY AND WE'VE STRUCTURED THE BUDGET AROUND WHAT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT BE.

WE ARE AS A STATE ARE LEADING THE NATION IN ECONOMIC REBOUND.

WE'RE LEADING THE NATION IN ECONOMIC REBOUND.

WE'RE LEADING THE NATION IN FINANCIAL SOLVENCY AND THAT GIVES US A CHANCE TO STAND OUT FROM THE PACK AND DO THINGS THAT OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF OTHER STATES ARE HAVING THEIR LEGISLATURES CONVENE TODAY, WHEN THEIR BUDGET COMMITTEES GET TOGETHER, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THEY MAKE THEIR CUTS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE GETTING OUT THEIR SCISSORS AND CUTTING AROUND THE EDGES, AND SEEING IF THEY CAN MEET THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

IDAHO IS IN A MUCH DIFFERENT POSITION BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF GOVERNOR LITTLE, BECAUSE OF HIS CONNECTIONS EARLY ON, WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE WE GET TO SAY WHERE DO WE MAKE THESE TARGETED INVESTMENTS?

AND BROADBAND IS KIND OF THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THAT.

THE GOVERNOR, I HEARD HIM SAY WE'VE ADVANCED BROADBAND 10 YEARS THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC IN TERMS OF USABILITY.

IT'S GROWN 4000%.

THE BACKBONE TO THAT IS GETTING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WIRED, GETTING THEM ACCESS.

HIS $35 MILLION INVESTMENT IS PART OF THIS BUDGET, IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON.

>> KEVIN, I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IDAHO?

OR DO YOU THINK THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE'S PARALLEL UNIVERSE STATE OF THE STATE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PRETTY DIFFERENT?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING QUESTION.

I MEAN, I WAS STRUCK -- I'VE BEEN STRUCK FOR THE PAST YEAR.

WE'VE TALKED TO GOVERNOR LITTLE AT LENGTH AFTER HIS STATE OF THE STATE IN 2020.

I SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME TALKING TO HIM ABOUT HIS PICTURE OF THE ECONOMY.

ON THE ONE HAND HE'S TALKING ABOUT A STATE THAT WAS GOING THROUGH GROWTH RATES THAT WERE UNPARALLELED ACROSS THE NATION.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, AND I THOUGHT THAT THAT DISCUSSION OF THE PROSPECT OF AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN SEEMED OUT OF PLACE WITH THE GROWTH.

I KEPT PRESSING HIM ON THAT WHEN I FIND A CHANCE TO INTERVIEW HIM ON "IDAHO REPORTS" IN JANUARY OF 2020.

HE BROUGHT THAT UP TODAY.

HE SAID YOU KNOW, WE PREPARED FOR THE WORST DURING GOOD TIMES AND WE WERE VINDICATED, BECAUSE WE PUT OURSELVES IN A BETTER POSITION AS A STATE BY ACTING CONSERVATIVELY.

SO I DON'T KNOW ABOUT A PARALLEL UNIVERSE, BUT I'VE BEEN REALLY STRUCK BY WHAT HE SAID A YEAR AGO AND WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED IN THE 12 MONTHS SINCE.

>> WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT, BUT KEVIN, ANYTHING ELSE ON YOUR RADAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THE SESSION?

>> A LOT OF THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN TERMS OF THE IMMEDIATE REACTIONS.

WHAT DOES A TAX BILL LOOK LIKE?

YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF LEGISLATORS, A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT IDEAS.

A LOT OF THE TAX RELIEF IS COMING THROUGH INTERNET SALES.

I THINK SMALL BUSINESSES SAYING HEY, WAIT A MINUTE THAT'S OUR COMPETITION.

HELP US COMPETE WITH THE ONLINE MERCHANTS.

TRANSPORTATION IS GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO PUT MORE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS INTO TRANSPORTATION.

THAT'S BEEN A SENSITIVE ISSUE IN THE PAST BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT SCHOOLS ARE COMPETING WITH TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS.

THERE'S A LOT GRIST GOING INTO THIS SESSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

KEVIN RICHARD, ALEX ADAMS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND THANKS FOR WATCHING.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN ON FRIDAY FOR OUR RUNDOWN OF THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

* * >> 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.

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

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