Transcripts For CSPAN Idaho 20240705 : vimarsana.com

This is jo. When youre connected, youre not alone. Cox supports cspan as a public svice, along with these other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. Iowa Governor Brad Little said the state is strong during the annual state of the state address at the Capitol Building in boise and touched on tax relief and Water Infrastructure. Brad little has served as the states governor since 2019. Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, mr. Pro tem, mr. President , honored legislators, my fellow constitutional law officers, chief justice and members of the judiciary, my family, friends, and my fellow idahoans. The constitution of the great state of idaho requires me to report to you, our legislature, on the condition of our state. This is my sixth opportunity to address you, and im struck how much has changed in six years. Im not talking about how gray my hair is, maybe six years ago the speaker had hair. But for all the change, i can confidently stand before you for the sixth Straight Year and say the state of our state is strong, stronger than ever before. Ive traveled all over this state with teresa. Thank you for your love and support. One of the best and most important part of my job is visiting with parents, veterans, seniors, teachers, Law Enforcement officers, business leaders, faith leaders, farmers, and of course our young people. Idaho is diverse but one quality about idahos people is consistent. They continue to fight to keep our great state a special place for this generation and the next. Thats always been my goal, also, never settle, keep improving. You the leaders in this room have helped with the competition. Were the least regulated state and one of the states of state in the union and rank first for income growth. Weve delivered more tax relief per capita than any other state and idaho is one of the most fiscally responsible states and were recognized for our ability to withstand any economic downturn. Were number one for economic momentum. Were a top 10 straight for the best economy rivalling florida and texas. In fact, florida, texas and idaho are the three best states for small business. And on issues where its important to take a stand. Idaho has led the charge. Were the first state to ban Critical Race Theory in our schools. Were taking a stand that we should not divide our children. We introduced a new history curriculum for our idaho schools, one that teaches students to appreciate and respect our country. We are a leader in education freedom. Idaho is a top 10 state for Charter Schools. And im bringing a bill this session to cut more red tape to cut Charter Schools while providing taxpayers the transparency they deserve. To get more bang for our buck we offer resources to support their childrens education outside the classroom. Idaho came in first for the best new open rolement law because they expanded opportunities for parents to choose the Public School that is best for their child, regardless of their zip code. I will continue to support a fair, responsible, transparent and accountable approach to expanding School Choice in idaho, one that doesnt draw resources away from our Public Schools. [applause] we also banned diversity statement in university hiring. Our academic policies protect free speech on campus while barring hateful threats against the jewish people, and were pushing back on china. I banned tiktok in State Government to protect our information from the chinese governments sinister motives and idaho land cannot be sold to foreign governments that want to do us harm. We successfully ended a illegal encampment on public property, right across the street from the peoples house, a scene where drug use, skule assault, silence, and destruction of property took place. Were showing left coat states how to stand up to activists who take advantage of the homeless and vulnerable. I was also the first state to sign a bill defending integrity in womens sports and we will keep up the fight. [applause] all of these steps have been a collective effort between the executive and legislative branch. Im proud to be a part of it. Folks, what we are doing in idaho is working. Youve heard me say it before and ill say it again and again. We are on a tremendous path, a powerful trajectory, and we need to keep it going. Were about to continue to lead the nation in fiscal responsibility, tax relief, and Strategic Investments to keep up with record growth. Speaking of growth, a couple years ago, i joked that wed build a wall around idaho and make california pay for it. Now that half of oregon wants to be a part of idaho, im not sure where wed build the wall. [laughter] theres a reason a u haul from california to idaho costs four times as much as a return trip. Idahos record population growth and in migration comes with opportunities and challenges but i get why people are knocking here from other places. In fact, i can think of 3. 7 billion reasons why people are coming here. Were on pace to deliver 3. 7 billion in tax relief and were not done yet. With the surplus eliminator pass last session, our budget this year includes up to 150 million in new Property Tax Relief on top of the hundreds of millions of property tax weve already deployed to date. People are coming here because what we are doing is working. Let me show you some of what weve gotten done together. One of the basic rules of government is to ensure a safe and connected system of roads and bridges. The continued prosperity of our businesses, including our farmers, ranchers, and loggers in rural idaho depends on their ability to get their products to market. Unwilling to put the time and safety of idahoans and the maintenance of our states roads and bridges at the whims of the feds in idaho, weve taken control of transportation. Instead of looking to washington, d. C. To solve our problems, were funding known gap with no new taxes and providing long term funding for long term needs. This means were tackling projects that have been on the wait list for years. Im here to attest to the historic investment the legislature has provided for our local and state system. Transportation projects are needs, not merely wants, working with governor little, i. T. D. , and each of you as members of the legislature, weve met most of these needs without raising taxes but continue our good work while protecting our loved ones and helping our economy to grow, idaho is working together. Water is the foundation of public health. Economic prosperity, Outdoor Recreation, a strong educational sector and idahoans quality of life. Idaho must maintain our water sovereignty and not turn out like other western states in the Colorado River basin such as california where the federal government has stepped in to supersede the states control of its water. Since i took office, i have recommended, and the legislature has approved, more than 1 billion in additional funding for waterrelated infrastructure projects. We dedicated roughly half of that to improve Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment systems at the local level. So idahoans have safe water to drink and use. We put the other half of the 1 billion to modernize Water Infrastructure statewide, much of which is a century old and in dire need of replacement or repair. Weve made a lot of progress, but we still have work to do. And i appreciate all the partners to continually demonstrate idaho, not the feds, can best determine the fate of our water. Theres perhaps no greater responsibility of the state of idaho than providing a strong system of Public Schools for idaho families. Why . Because one of the duties most plainly written in the idaho constitution. As lexed as elected leaders its not just our constitutional obligation but our moral obligation as well to prioritize and strengthen Public Schools. In 2019, i assembled a task force to provide recommendations on what the state of idaho can do better to meet the needs of our Public Schools. In just five years, we have delivered. We increased funding for literacy 500 because theres no better investment in a child than establishing early on the fundamentals of reading. We also provided a record level of flexible funds so local schools can meet local needs. And we made the teach profession more competitive by inkreetsing starting teacher pay. We brought idaho up from the bottom 10 nationally five years ago to now the top 10 for starting teacher pay. We increased pay for teachers at all levels of experience and boosted Health Insurance benefits so teachers and staff can keep more of their earnings in their pockets. As state leaders, we cannot ignore this fact. The people of idaho strongly support Public Schools. We must continue to prioritize and improve Public Schools. Not just because the constitution requires it, but because the people we serve demand it. Beyond k12 education were also taking unprecedented steps to prepare our young people for a lifetime of prosperity. The state of idaho has always offered support for the careers that require a fouryear university degree. But we have historically fallen short in providing equal support to other skilled workers. Jobs like trucking, linemen, firefighters, welders, plumbers, and a host of other profetions that make the professions that make the world go around. These are goodpaying jobs that require specialized training. Our new grants cover 0 of the cost, up to 8,000, to enroll in an education or Training Program after high school that aligns with an indemand career. There are hundreds of career paths to choose from. We want idahos kids to stay in idaho and work in idaho. We dont want our employers to import workers from over places when we can train our own kids right here at home. Its been extremely popular so far, blowing away expectations. Many of these kids would have never considered going on to a Training Program after high school. Lets hear from a few of them. Im rick, i plan to use my iowa launch grant to study welding. Im planning to use idaho launch money to go to university of idaho for physics administration. My name is colleen, i plan to go into forestry. I go to genesee high school, i plan to use my idaho launch money to pursue a Computer Science degree. Im dallas, i plan to use my idaho launch grant to study medical assisting. I plan to attend the dental assistance school. My name is mattaio, i plan to use launch funding to study dental hygienics. Im planning to use my launch grant for my journeyman license in electrical work. Im so darn proud of all these kids for taking the initiative to apply for launch. Its a real game changer for so many young idahoans. So how is it idaho is able to provide record tax relief while making so many meaningful investments in our future . Simple. Its how we manage our budget. We often talk about Kitchen Table economics. What does that mean . We live within our means, just like any idaho family must. We maintain a structurally balanced budget. There arent cost nowrs budget that we cant sustain and we pass budgets on time, not at the 11th hour like congress, creating certainty, not instability. We have ample money in reserve os so we can weather any economic uncertainty. We make investments where they count. And we give back whatever we can to the taxpayers to keep families and businesses thriving. Its easy. So easy in fact it makes you wonder why washington, d. C. Cant figure it out. Our hard working idaho congressional delegation persistently stands up for reining in federal spending and using idaho as the example for the feds to follow. When i came to washington i quickly learned that congress had a bad habit of legislating by congress. Where critical work is delayed, leading to 11th hour bills packed with unrelated policies. Thats not the way to do business. Ill continue to fight to change that practice. Thats just one of many ways washington, d. C. Needs to be more like idaho. Heres another. The United States carries nearly 34 trillion in debt and has no meaningful monetary reserves. But thanks to you all, idaho balances its budget annually with responsible levels of reserves in the event of economic downturn. Unbridled federal spending is crippling American Families with high inflation and Unsustainable Energy prices. In idaho, leaders are looking for and delivering tax relief while meeting the needs of a growing state. For these and other reason, many of my Congressional Colleagues envy what i have in idaho. I am so proud to represent this state and appreciate our commonsense approach to budgeting and governance. Washington, d. C. Can learn from whats right in idaho. Idahos winning. Russ is right. Idaho is setting an example not just for washington, d. C. But every other state. One area where we shine is tax relief. Idaho is in the top 10 for lowest taxes in the nation. We have the third lowest property taxes in the country. And we just appointed another 300 million in relief to property taxpayers last year. No other state in the country has given manufacturer tax relief per capita than idaho. The historic tax relief we have championed the last few years has helped idaho families across the state. Skyrocketing Interest Rates and inflation are holding idahoans back. And the idaho legislature, year after yearering has stepped up to provide meaningful tax relief. This is not our money. Its yours. And we need to understand that and remember it. And its because of this and other reasons such as our historic investments in education and roads many people continue to move to idaho to live the kind of life they used to be able to live in other parts of the country. What we are doing in idaho is working. And we want your help to keep it that way. Were on pace to deploy a total of 3. 7 billion in tax relief. What idaho is doing is working, and were just getting started. [applause] without popcorn. Before we get too far, i would like to con gaj late the more than 12,500 students who applied for launch. Lieutenant governor and i traveled the state extensively over the past year to visit with many of these students. The interest in launch for a exceeded everyones expectations and were excited for these young idahoans. To keep that excitement going, every legislator is receiving an email right now with information on the students in their districts who applied for launch. Looking ahead [applause] looking ahead, we have a plan to keep idaho strong. Its called idaho works. What were doing is working. And the results speak for themselves. We must never get complacent. Idaho works is about taking what we know has contributed to our states tremendous success and not just prioritizing its continuation but ramping up our efforts. We will work to raise the bar even higher. Because its what our citizens expect, what they deserve from their elected leaders. But we must do so responsibly. Weve all seen the trend, the economy is returning to normal. Idaho has seen revenue growth. But at prepandemic levels. That means cant do it all this session should be about priorities. We must invest in those matters that are most pressing for idahoans. And keep up with the Transportation Needs of a growing state are among the most pressing for our people. Our state, other states, think their twption infrastructure has been solved by onetime federal funds. Idahoans know, however, that we must take control of our own Transportation Needs. We cannot put the federal government in the drivers seat and we will not raise taxes or fees to clear out our transportation backlog. Building off of what weve done in recent years. So lets go big. Our idaho works plan proposes another 50 million ongoing to bond for an additional 00 million in new transportation infrastructure so we can save idahoans their precious time on the road. Well put the 800 million toward the highest priority, highest value projects that have been in the queue for way too long. Our idaho works plan calls for repair or replacement of the last one third of dilapidated bridges throughout the state. 900 bridges in idaho have been ready to pour or predate the moon landing have been rated poor or predate the moon landing. We have put millions into this effort in the last few years and it is time to buckle up and finish the job. Lets continue to facilitate commerce with added transportation investments, especially in rural idaho. And remember, this is Property Tax Relief too. These are transportation prongs that will benefit generations of idahoans so we can keep idahoans safe and enjoy more of what we love. [applause] peeking of infrastructure. We put billions to impreux Water Quality and quantity in recent years. Our idaho works plan calls for continued expansion of Water Infrastructure so we can ensure a stable water supply, both during the good water years and the bad ones. This is especially important now. We have been blessed with good water years, but we may be headed into a prolonged drought again and prudent preux dense dictates we prepare. We had quite a square this a scare this year when we discovered invasive mussels in the river. They clog pipes that deliver water for energy, drinking, agriculture and others. It cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The team at the state department of agriculture put 15 years of preparation into action. They deployed treatment plan quickly and effectively to protect our water. Idaho got done in six weeks what took other states six months to get done. Thanks janelle. We must finish the fight. Our idaho works plan continues our states response to this highly destructive, invasive species. Our plan also expands access to Outdoor Recreation because we know idahoans quality of life depends greatly on their ability to explore and unwind in our vast open spaces. We all agree the safety and protection of our children is pla mount. Is paramount. Particularly protecting our youth and communities from harm is all of our responsible especially when it comes to the scourge of fept nil. In the past year, idaho began a successful Public Education campaign to reach people in idaho 60 million times in a few short months. Now teens and young adults are more aware of fentanyl. Theyre more concerned about their peers using it than ever before. And importantly, theyre talking about it with their friends. As we march on armed with better information about fentanyl, weve taken many steps to reduce the supply and distribution of drugs on our streets. Much of our fentanyl battle grew out of a Crime Fighting crew thats helped us stay laser focused on strategies to combat this deadly drug. And now it is time to expand its focus. In the coming weeks, i will establish an executive order to formally establish operation Esto Perpetua and im adding another directive for the group, to assess the threat of Human Trafficking and our open border. Well work even harder to address the open border and its impacts because the failure of the biden harris of the Bidenharris Administration to even admit its a problem. Human trafficking is modern day slavery. Cartels and other bad actors are taking advantage of our open boarders to manipulate and abuse the most vulnerable, including children. To help curve Human Trafficking, my idaho work plan calls for sending two more teams of state troopers to train and act as force multiplier at our lawless southern border as we did with fentanyl twice before. Only now the troopers will learn the best tactics to respond to those who smuggle and abuse vulnerable people. They will come back to idaho with better knowledge to stop these perpetrators in our state. And as they did before our troopers will debrief and train their Law Enforcement colleagues all around the state when they return. [applause] our children dmeed our protection in all aspects of life. Including their personal lives. We know young people today face greater levels of distress and isolation than any other generation before them. To help keep our children well, idaho work doubles the funding for school advisers. These are the professionals on the frontlines talking to students about their future as well as their current personal struggles. Idaho works also proposes a new statewide Student Behavioral Health initiative for additional suicide prevention. We know this works. Heres an example from juvenile corrections. The prodepress weve made from standing up Youth Crisis Centers and safe Team Assessment centers around the state has contributed to a reassuring trend. Over the past five years, the number of juveniles in state custody has dropped by half this goes to show, when we invest in prevention and intervention efforts to support every kids success, we improve lives. [applause] and theres more we can do to protect our kids online. The dominance of social media in the past decade is an obvious reason for the decline in youth mental health. Social media is addicting. It creates a forum for cyber bullying. It replaces quality time with kids friend and loved ones and makes them compare themselves to impossible artificial standards for look and lifestyles. To that end, im asking my partners in the legislature to pass meaningful reforms this session like legislative bodies in arkansas and utah and other states have done to better protect our children from the harms of social media. [applause] and of course one subject has taken up the largest shir of our attention. Public education. Together weve improved teacher takehome pay and boosted literacy. The improvements are making a difference. But we are far from meeting our obligation to maintain a genuine form and thorough system of public free Common Schools as required by the idaho constitution. One area in particular needs work and thats School Facilities. Weve all seen the pictures and videos of some idaho schools that are neglected, crumbling, leaking, falling apart. In one school i visited, raw sewage is seeping into a space under the cafeteria. Folks, we can do better. The can were kicking is getting heavier and were running out of road. Lets make this priority number one. My idaho works plan proposes largest investment ever in School Facility construction and our maintenance match, 2 billion. [applause] not only will we make learning environments more productive for student we get twofor. This 2 billion investment in School Facilities is 2 billion in longterm Property Tax Relief. Lets say that again. Lets pass 2 billion in longterm Property Tax Relief. [applause] while other states are digging themselves into record deficits and grabbing another shovel, we can invest 2 billion to modernize and improve School Facilities never district in every corner of the state. While deliver, did i mention 2 billion . I dont know if i had. While delivering another 2 billion in Property Tax Relief to idaho citizens. But we must do it right. We must provide for both new Facility Construction and mains nance needs of existing facilities. We should not punish those that have stepped up and invested in their facilities locally. Nor should we disproportionately reward those communities who have chosen not to upkeep their school buildings. We cant wait years or decades. The cost of construction is skyrocketing and deferred may not nns backlog grows daily. Lets also ensure that we include all Public Schools. My proposal includes record funding for our charter School Facilities also. Lets dedicate the 2 billion in School Facilities now to modernize School Infrastructure and address unmet critical needs. [applause] in my speech before you last year i mentioned one of my friends told me i used the word historic more than any other word to describe what weve accomplished. Its true. When you look back at what weve done over the last six years, i cant believe it was ever possible. We made decisions that positioned our state to propel ahead in our economic performance. We strategically and thoughtfully deployed relief funds. We met the needs of our growing state returning more money back to the people of idaho than ever before. And we did it all by passing a bush while passing a balanced budget every year. [applause] as revenue normalizes from pandemic highs, our idaho work plan continues fiscal prudence is were ready for any Economic Conditions that might come our way. Idaho works outlines the most fiscally conservative budget since the great recession. It bolsters rainy day funds to the max. It leaves a surplus in beth budget years for adding cushion in case the economy slows. More importantly, we are proposing to spend this year than this than last, about 200 million to be exact. Let me repeat that. My idaho works bunnell proposes spending 200 million less this year than last year. [applause] and as i said earlier, were on track to deliver even more Property Tax Relief this year. Up to 150 million this year, plus the 2 billion in School Facilities over the next decade. If idaho can do it, washington, d. C. Should do it. To that end, im signing on as a member of the Governors Debt Council for balanced Budget Amendment to the u. S. Constitution. The runaway Freight Train of federal spende spending has got to stop. Its not right. Its not what the founders envisioned for our great country. The u. S. Constitution gives the states the power to propose a balanced Budget Amendment and in the coming weeks, i will announce the next steps we will take to force congress to live within the peoples means. [applause] folks, what idaho is doing is working. Theres no need to change course, but we must raise the bar. And never rest on our laurels. History may not remember our names and faces but we have an opportunity while weir here to create a Lasting Legacy of good government. Id like to end by quoting one of my good friends and mentors. Perhaps in the known for his patience, he recounted his first week as a legislator in this chamber in che he reportedly stood and said, mr. Speaker, lets get this show on the road. That, of course, was governor phil bath. We lost phil this year. Last year. He was the epitome of public service. His legacy is distinguished by his unrelenting human rights leadership, determined fiscal conservatism and enduring love for idaho. So let me close with an ode to governor bath and say emphatically, lets get this show on the road. Lets get to work for the people of idaho. Lets focus on the big things and lets all aspire to lead a leg leave a legacy like governor bath, a legacy that will outlive us all. God bless idaho. [applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org]