>> 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.

>> AS THE GOVERNOR VETOES LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CURB EXECUTIVE POWERS, THE HOUSE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH MAJOR BUDGETS AND TENSIONS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE BECOMING MORE PUBLIC.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK, BETSY RUSSELL OF THE "IDAHO PRESS" AND KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST IN EDUCATION BUDGETS AND MORE.

BUT FIRST, LET'S GET YOU CAUGHT UP ON THE WEEK.

>> ON FRIDAY, GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE ANNOUNCED HE HAS VETOED LEGISLATION CONCERNING EXECUTIVE POWERS WITH SUPPORT FROM EVERY LIVING FORMER GOVERNOR OF IDAHO.

>> HOUSE BILL 135 AND SENATE BILL 1136 ARE NOT ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS.

OR IMPROVING THE STATE'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

THE BILLS HANDCUFF THE STATE'S ABILITY TO TAKE TIMELY AND NECESSARY ACTIONS TO HELP IDAHOANS IN FUTURE EMERGENCIES.

THE LIST OF POTENTIAL DEVASTATING DISASTERS ARE SIMPLY UNKNOWN.

FUTURE IDAHO GOVERNORS ABSOLUTELY MUST BE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND PROTECT LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS.

THE BILLS NOT ONLY LIMIT THE STATE, BUT CITIES AND COUNTIES AS WELL.

THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION WISELY PROHIBITS THE LEGISLATURE FROM PERFORMING EXECUTIVE DUTIES.

DECLARING AND RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES ARE CORE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS, DEFINED BY THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION AND THE US CONSTITUTION, AND RIGHTLY SO.

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS RESOURCES AND CAN TAP SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY DEPLOY RESOURCES IN FAST-MOVING SITUATIONS.

THE BILLS SEVERELY INTERRUPT AND SLOW DOWN THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE, BECAUSE IT BECOMES SUBJECT TO 105 DIFFERENT OPINIONS, ADDING MORE RED TAPE AND GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY.

AND POTENTIALLY IMPACTING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS.

FOR THESE REASONS, I WILL BE VETOING HOUSE BILL 135 AND SENATE BILL 1136.

NUMEROUS STAKEHOLDERS FELT IGNORED, THE NATIONAL GUARD, THE CITIES, THE COUNTIES, FEMA, STATE EMERGENCY MANAGERS, AND BUSINESS.

THIS IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE.

LET'S BE HONEST.

THESE BILLS ARE AN EMOTIONAL KNEE-JERK REACTION BECAUSE OF ANGER ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OF MY DECISIONS DURING A VERY UNCERTAIN TIME LAST YEAR.

BUT I STILL BELIEVE WHEN FACED WITH DIFFICULT DECISIONS, GIVEN THE INFORMATION I HAD AT THE TIME, I ACTED ON BALANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE, AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY TODAY PROVES IT.

>> NOW WE KNOW IDAHO WILL FACE OTHER DISASTERS DOWN THE ROAD.

IT'S A PART OF LIFE.

AND WE ALL PRAY THAT THE DAMAGE THAT'S DONE TO OUR PROPERTY, TO OUR PEOPLE, TO OUR FAMILIES WILL BE MINIMAL.

HOWEVER, THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION GIVES THE AUTHORITY TO THE GOVERNOR TO SWIFTLY RESPOND DURING A CRISIS TO PROTECT LIVES, JOBS, AND THE ECONOMY.

THAT'S THE PROPER ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE, AND THAT'S WHY THE SEPARATION OF DUTIES IS SO CLEARLY ESTABLISHED IN OUR STATE'S FOUNDING DOCUMENTS.

BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISES, DAYS AND EVEN HOURS CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVES AND DEATH.

AND EMERGENCY IS NO TIME TO SLOW THINGS DOWN.

SO I APPLAUD GOVERNOR LITTLE FOR VETOING THESE BAD BILLS.

HE AND EVERY FUTURE GOVERNOR MUST HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO RESPOND QUICKLY, SAVE LIVES, AND PROTECT LIVELIHOODS DURING A CRISIS.

>> IT'S NOT UNUSUAL DURING DISASTERS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS AT THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT WITH THE INCIDENT COMMANDERS.

IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE INCIDENT COMMANDERS, LEADERSHIP TURN AND SAY, GOVERNOR, WE NEED A DECISION.

AND THEY NEED A DECISION IMMEDIATELY.

THAT IS NOT THE TIME THAT A GOVERNOR SHOULD SAY, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, I MUST CHECK WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR THE ACTION YOU'RE TAKING TODAY.

IT IS THE CORRECT ACTION.

>> THOSE PIECES OF LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE LIMITED THE POWERS OF IDAHO'S GOVERNORS IN EXTREME EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF TIME A GOVERNOR COULD EXTEND AN EMERGENCY WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE'S SIGN-OFF.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE WITH THE PUNDITS LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> MEANWHILE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONTINUED TO HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT AN ADJOURNMENT TIMELINE.

ON TUESDAY, THE HOUSE VOTED DOWN THE 1.1 BILLION DOLLAR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER PAY BUDGET ON A TIE VOTE, CITING CONCERNS THAT TEACHER TRAINING MAY INCLUDE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL EQUITY.

THAT APPROPRIATION NOW GOES BACK TO THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE.

THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR BUDGET THE HOUSE HAS KILLED SINCE COMING BACK FROM ITS COVID RECESS.

ON WEDNESDAY THE SENATE RECESSED AGAIN UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP RUNAWAY LEASED A PRESS RELEASE SLAMMING THEIR HOUSE COUNTERPARTS FOR, QUOTE -- STRUGGLING TO PASS APPROPRIATION BILLS, INCLUDING MEDICAID AND THOSE CRITICAL TO FUNDING IDAHO'S K-12 SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATION OF IDAHO'S CHILDREN.

>> BEFORE RECESSING, THE SENATE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS TO PARENTS ABOUT VACCINATIONS TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO EXISTING VACCINE EXEMPTIONS IN IDAHO LAW.

>> WHAT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION DOES, IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS AND IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE EXEMPTIONS, WHAT IT DOES IT SAYS, IN THE COMMUNICATION THAT THE SCHOOLS HAVE WITH PARENTS, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CLEAR, NOT ONLY THE REQUIREMENT, BUT THE AVAILABILITY OF EXEMPTIONS.

>> I WONDER IF THE EFFECTS OF THIS, WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS?

I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO PROPER MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

>> AND I THINK THERE'S SOME UNFORTUNATE LANGUAGE IN THE CODE.

IT SAYS SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED.

AND THEN THIS WORKS GREAT FOR LAWYERS, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK SO WELL FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

THERE'S AN EXCEPTION, AND THE EXCEPTION IS A VERY BROAD EXCEPTION.

AND IT REALLY CAUSED ME WHEN I GOT TO THE END OF THE SENTENCE, AND THE END OF THE SECTION TO SAY, WHY IS THE WORD "REQUIRED" IN HERE?

>> THE FACT WE ARE STILL DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS STILL DISPARITY AROUND OUR STATE ABOUT JUST WHAT OUR STATE POLICY IS, IN INFORMING OUR PARENTS ABOUT OUR POLICY ON VACCINATION, MEANS THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE CLARITY.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 30-5 AND NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> ALSO WEDNESDAY, THE HOUSE DEBATED A BILL THAT WOULD BAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, INCLUDING CITIES, HEALTH DISTRICTS, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FROM IMPLEMENTING MASK MANDATE, WITH CONCERNS ABOUT CONSTITUTIONALITY AND GOVERNMENT OVERREACH COMING UP FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE.

>> FITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL WE DON'T NEED A BILL.

ON THE TOPIC OF THE CONSTITUTION, THERE REMAINS A CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERN THAT WE'RE OVERSTEPPING WHAT MAY BE PERMITTED IN A COURTROOM.

I WOULD DIRECT THE BODY'S ATTENTION TO ARTICLE TWO, SECTION ONE OF THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION.

WHICH READS, THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THIS STATE ARE DIVIDE IN ADDITION THREE DISTINCT DEPARTMENTS.

THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL.

THIS DOES INCLUDE COURTS, PERHAPS OVERSTEPPING THE CONSTITUTIONAL SEPARATION OF POWERS.

>> EVERY MAN, WE UNDERSTAND EVERY PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO A PROPERTY IN AND OF HIS OWN PERSON, AND NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO THAT BUT HIMSELF.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THESE MASKS HAVE SEEMED TO SO MANY IDAHOANS TO BE AN OPPRESSION, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN FORCED ON THEM, ON THEIR PERSON, ON THE ONE THING IN THIS WORLD THAT WE ARE GUARANTEED TO OWN.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 47-22, AND NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>> AND ON THURSDAY, THE HOUSE DEBATED A CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON THE FUTURE LEGALIZATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN IDAHO, WITHOUT TWO-THIRDS APPROVAL FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

PROPONENTS SAY IT WOULD SUPPORT IDAHO BEING A SOBER, DRUG-FREE STATE, WHILE OPPONENTS SAID THE BILL COULD AFFECT THE FUTURE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

AAMONG OTHER POTENTIAL ISSUES.

>> NEIGHBORING STATES HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT LEGISLATION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES UNDERMINES THE FIRST CONCERN OF ALL GOOD GOVERNMENT.

THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PRESERVES EXISTING IDAHO LAWS THAT PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITIES FROM THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF THE DRUG CULTURE.

>> THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO OVERWHELMINGLY WOULD LIKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

IT'S -- NATIONALLY THEY DID A POLL RECENTLY THAT WAS OVER 90% NATIONWIDE.

IDAHO IS THE LAST STATE TO HOLD OUT TO NOT GIVE PEOPLE MEDICINE.

YOU GET 70 GREEN LIGHTS IF WE WOULD HAVE LEFT A CARVE OUT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THIS BILL.

LET'S LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

>> I WAS ASKED TO POSSIBLY RUN A BILL TO REMOVE HEMP FROM SCHEDULE ONE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE HAVE CONSTITUENTS WHO USE CBD OIL WITH THAT VERY LOW THRESHOLD OF .3% THC OR LESS.

I KNOW FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS I'VE TRIED TO RUN LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW CITIZENS IN THIS STATE TO USE IT WITHOUT THE FEAR OF A FELONY.

AS LONG AS IT REMAINS ON SCHEDULE ONE, YOU CAN STILL BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY BECAUSE OF TRACE, JUST AS SPECK OF THC IS ENOUGH TO THROW YOU IN JAIL.

>> ULTIMATELY THAT LEGISLATION FAILED TO REACH THE REQUIRED TWO-THIRDS THRESHOLD AND DIED ON THE FLOOR.

>> YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THOSE DEBATES AND MORE ON THE "IDAHO REPORTS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

YOU'LL FIND THAT LINK AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS, AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE HIT SUBSCRIBE.

YOU'LL ALSO FIND THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GOVERNOR LITTLE ON HIS VETOES ON THOSE BILLS.

JOINING TO US TALK ABOUT THOSE VETOES ARE BETSY RUSSELL OF THE "IDAHO PRESS" AND KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

BETSY, KEVIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, RIGHT AFTER WE'VE WATCHED GOVERNOR LITTLE'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ALL OF IDAHO'S LIVING GOVERNORS JOIN A CURRENT GOVERNOR IN A VETO CEREMONY LIKE THAT.

BETSY, I WANTED TO GET YOUR KNEE-JERK REGLAX FIRST I WOULD SAY NEVER SAY NEVER, BECAUSE WITHOUT CHECKING PERHAPS IT DID HAPPEN BEFORE.

BUT BOY, WAS THAT A STRONG MESSAGE.

I THINK -- >> I'VE NEVER SEEN IT.

ABSOLUTELY, YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> I THINK WHAT GOVERNOR LITTLE MADE CLEAR WAS THAT DESPITE ALL THE CHANGES THAT THOSE TWO BILLS WENT THROUGH DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND FROM THE LEGISLATORS' PERSPECTIVE, THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN MODERATING THOSE BILLS AND CHANGING WHAT THEY DID, AND ALLOWING FOR THIS AND THAT.

THEY DID NOT REACH THE MARK.

SOME OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED, SUCH AS HIS ABILITY TO CALL OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD IN EMERGENCY, THE ABILITY OF IDAHOANS TO RECEIVE FEDERAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, THE LEGISLATORS THOUGHT THEY HAD WRITTEN THEIR BILLS IN A WAY TO ALLOW FOR THAT, AND CLEARLY THE GOVERNOR AND HIS OFFICE DOES NOT THINK THEY DID.

AND IF THEY DIDN'T, THAT IS A PROBLEM.

AND WHAT THIS MEANS IS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NOWHERE NEAR OVER.

>> I THINK WHAT THE MESSAGE UNDERSCORES, THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE GOT STATEMENTS FROM ALL OF THE OTHER LIVING GOVERNORS, REALLY UNDERSCORES THIS IS A BATTLE BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH VERSUS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

ALSO IT UNDERSCORES GOVERNOR LITTLE REALIZES HE NEEDS TO -- BOTH OF THESE BILLS PASSED WITH VETO GROUP MAJORITY, SO IF THOSE VOTES HOLD, THESE VETOES WOULD BE OVERWRITTEN.

>> AND -- >> WE KNOW THAT -- GO AHEAD.

>> WE HAVE HEARD FROM LEGISLATORS EARLIER IN THE SESSION THAT THEY DID PLAN TO OVERRIDE IF THE GOVERNOR WERE TO VETO THESE BILLS.

I DON'T KNOW IF PERHAPS THE STRENGTH OF THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION TODAY AND THIS EXTREMELY STRONG STATEMENT ABOUT HOW FAR THE BILLS FALL SHORT, IN MEETING THE CONSTITUTIONAL MARK HE'S SETTING, MAY OR MAY NOT CAUSE THEM TO RETHINK.

WE COULD WELL STILL SEE OVERRIDE VOTES IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

AND THE QUESTION IS, WILL THEY MEET THE TWO-THIRDS MARK?

>> AND WE'VE SEEN BILLS PASS BEFORE THAT WOULD HAVE CLEARED THAT VETO-PROOF MAJORITY, BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE THEIR MINDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO AFTER THEIR GOVERNOR, OR AGAINST THEIR GOVERNOR IN SUCH A PUBLIC WAY.

IF THIS DOES PASS THE TWO-THIRDS THRESHOLD OF A VETO OVERFLIED BOTH HOUSES, DOES THAT SET UP THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES IN A POTENTIAL COURT CHALLENGE, BETSY?

>> IT CERTAINLY COULD.

I MEAN, I THINK IT WOULD BRING US TO SOMETHING OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.

IF WE HAVE TWO BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT THAT ARE LOCKED IN BATTLE OVER AN APPROACH THAT ONE OF THEM SAYS VIOLATES THE -- THEIR DUTIES UNDER -- AND THE SEPARATION OF POWER UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION, THAT WILL GO TO THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT.

AND WE VERY LIKELY WOULD SEE LITIGATION ON THIS, OH, MY GOSH, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NEVER GOING TO END!

>> YOU KNOW, I HOPE YOU'RE WRONG, BETSY.

[LAUGHTER] I REALLY HOPE YOU'RE WRONG.

AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE SAID IN HIS COMMENTS.

HE SAYS IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, HE SAYS IT'S COSTLY AND IMPRACTICAL, HE SAYS IT HINDERS THE ABILITY OF THE STATE TO RESPOND QUICKLY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS ECHOED BY BOTH GOVERNORS, KEVIN, DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE ANY LAWMAKERS' MINDS WHO INITIALLY SUPPORTED THIS LEGISLATION BUT MIGHT GO AGAINST THE VETO OVERRIDE?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL.

AND IT'S HARD TO TELL NOT ONLY HOW DOES THIS VETO MESSAGE RESONATE WITH LEGISLATORS, HOW DOES IT RESONATE BACK IN THE DISTRICTS?

DO CONSTITUENTS CARE ABOUT THIS?

DO CONSTITUENTS -- SENATE HAS BEEN OFF BASICALLY SINCE WEDNESDAY.

SENATORS, MANY OF THEM HAVE PROBABLY BEEN BACK IN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS FOR THE PAST COUPLE DAYS AND THEY'LL BE BACK FOR THE WEEKEND.

WHO KNOWS?

BUT TO BETSY'S POINT, WE'RE 86 DAYS INTO THE SESSION, THIS SESSION IS A LONG WAY FROM BEING DONE.

>> WE HAVEN'T EVEN -- >> GOVERNOR'S REMARKS IN PARTICULAR WERE EVOCATIVE.

HE TALKED ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES AS A GOVERNOR STANDING ON THE SCENE OF THE DISASTER IN HIS CASE EXTENSIVE E SEASONS WITH THE INCIDENT COMMANDER, AND THE INCIDENT COMMANDER TURNING TO THE GOVERNOR AND SAYING, WE NEED A DECISION, AND THE GOVERNOR ON THE 60th DAY OF A DISASTER NOT BEING ABLE TO DECIDE THAT AND HAVING TO SAY, SORRY, HOLD ON, I GOTTA GO CONVENE THE LEGISLATURE AND GET 105 PEOPLE IN AND SEE WHAT THEIR ANSWER IS.

IT WAS -- I THINK THAT PEOPLE BACK HOME WATCHING CAN PROBABLY PRETTY EASILY PICTURE THOSE SCENES.

I THINK WE SAW SOME OF THOSE ON T.V.

BACK WHEN GOVERNOR KEMP THORN WAS IN OFFICE AND WE HAD EXTENSIVE FOREST FIRES, AND CERTAINLY WHILE THE DISCUSSION HAS FOCUSED SO STRONGLY ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THE CONTROVERSIAL MEASURES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED AS RESULT OF THAT PANDEMIC, THINGS WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A HUNDRED YEARS HERE IN IDAHO, WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE DISASTER EMERGENCIES ALL THE TIME IN IDAHO.

MOST ARE FOR THINGS LIKE FIRES AND FLOODS.

>> WHICH ARE TANGIBLE THINGS TO A LOT OF IDAHOANS.

IT GETS YOU PAST THE DEBATE ABOUT IS THE CORONAVIRUS A PANDEMIC, IS IT REALLY AS SERIOUS AS IT'S MADE OUT TO BE.

IDAHOANS HAVE SEEN FOREST FIRES, THEY'VE SEEN RANGE FIRES, THEY'VE SEEN FLOODS.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION, AND ANOTHER BIG PIECE OF CONTROVERSY LEGISLATION THAT AS OF 3:30 FRIDAY WHILE WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, HAVE YET BEEN TAKEN UP BY THE GOVERNOR IS THAT VOTER INITIATIVE BILL.

I'M THINKING OF SOME OF THE NORTH KOREAING THAT MIGHT BE GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES, DO YOU THINK MAYBE PERHAPS IF THE GOVERNOR DOES SIGN THAT BILL, WHICH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ESPECIALLY OVERWHELMINGLY WANT WANT, THERE'S A CHANCE THIS MIGHT SURVIVE A VETO OVERRIDE ATTEMPT?

>> THE TIMING IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING HERE.

THE ANTIINITIATIVE BILL, SENATE BILL 1110, IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK RIGHT NOW.

THE DEADLINE FOR HIM TO SIGN OR VETO IT IS AROUND 11:30 A.M.

TOMORROW.

A SATURDAY.

AND SO RIGHT AS HE IS THREATENING THE VETO OF 1136 AND 135, 1136 IS ON HIS DESK, HE COULD VETO IT RIGHT NOW, 135 IS STILL ON THE WAY THERE, HE'S GOT TO ACT.

OR NOT ACT, ON THE INITIATIVES BILL.

AND HE COULD CHOOSE TO SIGN IT, HE COULD CHOOSE TO VETO IT, OR HE COULD CHOOSE ALLOW IT TO BECOME WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST THE GOVERNOR HAS POINTED BACK TO HIS VETO MESSAGE ON EVEN FARTHER REACHING ANTIINITIATIVE LEGISLATION TWO YEARS AGO, BUT I THINK ANY OF THOSE THREE POSSIBILITIES IS WITHIN THE REALM OF REALITY NOW AND CERTAINLY COULD PLAY INTO THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN -- WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS, HOLDING THE LEGISLATURE BACK, THE FACT THAT THE HOUSE HAS KILLED THREE MAJOR BUDGETS JUST SINCE COMING BACK ON APRIL 6th, TWO OF THOSE ARE EDUCATION RELATED KEVIN, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE COME BACK IN THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE, ANY INDICATION THERE IS SOME SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES ON FINDING A COMPROMISE ON THESE BUDGETS?

>> I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO VERY DIFFERENT REWRITES.

I THINK WITH THE K-12 BUDGET, WHAT OPPONENTS OF THAT BILL WERE SAYING, NOBODY SEEMED TO SAY THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DOLLAR FIGURE.

NOBODY SEEMED TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GIVING TEACHERS THEIR PAY.

THE CONCERN IS ABOUT THIS SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN COMING UP IN SEEMINGLY EVERY EDUCATION TO DATE THIS YEAR, AND WHAT KIND OF INTENT LANGUAGE DO YOU PUT INTO ADDRESS THAT?

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A STICKY POINT.

WHAT DOES IT DO, AND HOW DOES IT READ?

HIGHER ED IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT THINGS.

YOU'VE GOT LEGISLATORS IN THAT COMMITTEE, YOU'VE GOT LEGISLATORS ON THE FLOOR, WHO WANT TO SEE CUTS MADE IN THAT HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SHARE THE MONEY LIKE WE SAW WITH THE FIRST BUDGET.

I THINK VERY DIFFERENT NEGOTIATING PROCESSES I WOULD IMAGINE GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES ON THESE TWO BILLS.

>> AND WE DID SEE A PIECE OF THAT KIND OF COME OUT INTO PUBLIC THIS MORNING, WHEN THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MET AND ATTEMPTED TO INTRODUCE A BILL TALKING ABOUT THE DISCUSSION OF DIVISIVE ISSUES IN BOTH K-12 AND HIGHER ED.

IT DID NOT GET -- END UP GETTING INTRODUCED, IT WAS PULLED BACK FOR CHANGES POSSIBLY TO INCLUDE K-3 GRANTS IN IT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THAT EFFORT.

BUT I THINK THAT WAS DESIGNED TO SMOOTH THE WAY POSSIBLY FOR PASSAGE OF BOTH OF THOSE BY LEGISLATING IN THIS AREA.

>> I THINK THAT'S A HIGHER EDUCATION FREEDOM OF THOUGHT BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE, BUT IS PROBABLY ALSO EMBROILED IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF DEALING WITH SOME OF THE FREE SPEECH ISSUES, DEALING WITH THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ON CAMPUSES, AS IT RELATES TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

>> ALONG THOSE LINES, KEVIN, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW IN THE PAST WE HAVE SEEN EFFORTS TO NOT TOTALLY DEFUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT AT LEAST TAKE MORE MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND IT STRIKES ME THAT A LOT OF THE SAME PLAYERS ARE MAYBE INVOLVED IN THIS SOCIAL JUSTICE DEBATE THAT THE CONVERSATION IS NO LONGER FLAT-OUT DEFUNDING OR REDUCING EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE TO TALK ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS ARE GETTING TOO MUCH MONEY.

THIS IS A DEBATE THAT HAS SOUNDED FAMILIAR FOR A FEW DECADES NOW.

>> IT'S ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT SCHOOLS ARE GETTING, IT'S ALSO THE DIRECTION OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOMS.

AND THIS IS WHY I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT DEBATE.

I WROTE THIS WEEK THAT THIS IS THE MOST DIVISIVE EDUCATION DEBATE WE'VE SEEN IN THE STATE SINCE 2012, AND THE DEBATE EEFER PROPS ONE, TWO, AND THREE.

AND I THINK THIS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT A DEBATE THAT'S GOING ON HERE.

IT'S NOT JUST -- IF YOU DON'T CHANGE A DOLLAR, OR IF YOU CHANGE A HUNDRED DOLLARS IN THE FUTURE SALARY BILL, WHICH IS MOST LIKELY WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN, YOU STILL HAVE THESE REALLY -- THIS DEBATE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOMS OR WHAT ISN'T GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOMS.

I TRIED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT THIS WEEK, AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE TEACHER SALARY BILL, I WENT TO THE IDAHO FREEDOM FOUNDATION AND I SAID, OKAY, YOU HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THIS, YOU DECLARED VICTORY WHEN THIS BILL WAS VOTED DOWN.

CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS IN THE SCHOOLS, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CRITICAL RACE THEORY THAT'S GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS?

YOU HEARD NO SPECIFICS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION CAME BACK AND SAID WE DECLINE TO COMMENT.

BUT I ASKED FOR SPECIFICS, AND I DIDN'T GET EITHER.

>> I ALSO MADE A REQUEST TO THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY PROVIDED SOME LEGISLATORS WITH AN ANALYSIS OF HOW BSU IS WASTING MONEY ON SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, AND THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE THAT TO ME.

AND THEY DID PUBLISH A 36-PAGE REPORT ABOUT ALL THE TERRIBLE SOCIAL JUSTICE THINGS GOING ON AT BSU AMONG THOSE WERE THE IDENTIFICATION OF WHAT THEY CALLED INDOCTRINATION MAJORS.

SOME OF THOSE SO-CALLED INDOCTRINATION MAJORS WERE THINGS LIKE SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK.

WELL, EVERY UNIVERSITY IN THE COUNTRY HAS THOSE MAJORS AND THEY'VE BEEN TEACHING THEM FOREVER F THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE% TO ELIMINATE TO GET RID OF THIS AGENDA THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, WE PROBABLY COULDN'T DO HIGHER EDUCATION ANYMORE.

>> YOU KNOW -- >> SORRY, KEVIN.

IT SPEAKS TO A BROADER DEBATE THAT WE'VE HEARD FOR A LONG TIME ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

IS IT A PLACE WHERE YOU LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD, WHERE YOU LEARN ABOUT CRITICAL THINKING, WHERE YOU HAVE THESE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, OR IS IT A PLACE WHERE YOU LEARN HOW TO DO WORK FOR A JOB?

YOU LEARN JOB SKILLS, YOU LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS YOU'LL NEED IN YOUR CAREER.

>> I DO THINK WE ARE HEARING SOME OF THAT DEBATE FROM LEGISLATORS.

EVEN SOME LEGISLATORS WHO DON'T BUY THE IDAHO FREEDOM FOUNDATION'S ARGUMENTS ARE PUSHING THE MAIN MISSION OF HIGHER ED IN IDAHO IS JOB TRAINING.

BUT IN REALITY, THAT'S THE MAIN MISSION OF OUR TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO A POINT KEVIN MADE, I DO THINK IT'S A DIFFERENT DEBATE FOR K-12 AND HIGHER ED.

I HAVE HAD SOME STRONG SUPPORTERS OF THE DEFEATING OF THAT TEACHERS BUDGET TELL ME OH, IT'S GOING TO COME BACK BIGGER.

IT WILL BE A LOT BIGGER, YOU SEE.

SO WE'LL SEE.

I MEAN, MAYBE THEY REALLY DON'T WANT TO CUT THE FUNDING, ALTHOUGH THEY TOOK A BIG RISK BY VOTING DOWN THE BIGGEST PORTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET AND THE CAREER LADDER RAISES THAT TEACHERS HAVE BEEN PROMISED BY THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS, THEY ARE IN STATUTE, AND THE TEACHERS DIDN'T GET THOSE RAISES THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET HOLDBACKS.

AND THAT BILL THAT WAS KILLED RESTORED THE RAISES FOR THIS YEAR, AS WELL AS NEXT YEAR'S INSTALLMENT.

SO IT REALLY FOR TEACHERS, WAS SEEN AS A SLAP IN THE FACE.

AND IT COULD COME BACK TO HAUNT THOSE WHO SUPPORTED KILLING THAT BUDGET.

>> TWO POINTS I WANT TO MAKE.

I WANT TO PIGGYBACK ON BETSY'S POINT BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD ONE.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT 2012 AND THE PROPOSITIONS, WHERE I THINK BACK WHEN THEY PIVOTED IS WHEN PEOPLE THOUGHT PROPOSITIONS WERE A SLAP AGAINST TEACHERS.

WHEN IT BECAME AN ISSUE ABOUT TEACHERS, YOUR KID'S TEACHER, THE TEACHER YOU GO TO CHURCH WITH, YOU SEE AT THE GROCERY STORE, THEN IT GETS PERSONAL AND PEOPLE ARE VERY -- THEY'RE VERY DEFENSIVE OF THEIR LOCAL TEACHERS.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE REALLY IMPORTANT POINT TO KEEP IN MIND HERE, AS THIS BUDGET PLAYS OUT.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO GOVERNOR LITTLE.

WE SAW THE GOVERNOR VERY FORCEFULLY COME OUT ABOUT EMERGENCY POWERS ON FRIDAY, WE'VE SEEN HIM DO THIS EARLIER IN THE SESSION.

HE'S BEEN SILENT ON THIS WHOLE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATION FIRESTORM THAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND I TRIED, AND I GOT TURNED DOWN FOR AN INTERVIEW.

HE HAS BEEN VERY QUIET THIS ISSUE, AND THIS ISSUE IS RAGING AROUND THE STATE.

>> IT REALLY IS.

LOTS OF PASSIONATE OPINIONS ON ALL SIDES OF IT.

YOU KNOW, BETSY, WE HAVE ABOUT 2½ MINUTES LEFT, I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A STORY THAT THE TRIBUNE BROKE ON FRIDAY MORNING AND JAMES DAWSON OF BOISE STATE RADIO EXPANDED ON LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER FROM LEWISTON.

>> YES, I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT STORY, AND BILL SPENCE WILL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP STORY.

I UNDERSTAND THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY THAT IT DID FIND PROBABLE CAUSE FOR A VIOLATION THERE, AND THAT IT WILL ALL BE MADE PUBLIC NOW.

AND REPRESENTATIVE AARON VON EHLINGER HAS ISSUED A DENIAL, HE ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE, THE CHARGES INVOLVE I GUESS I WOULD SAY SEXUAL HARASSMENT AGAINST A VOLUNTEER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, IT IS NOT A GOOD LOOK.

AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT.

>> WHAT WE SAW FROM JAMES DAWSON FROM BSPR WAS MORE THAN SEXUAL HARASSMENT, THE ALLEGATIONS INCLUDE FORCED UNCONSENSUAL SEXUAL CONTACT.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

I HAD NOT SEEN THE DOCUMENTS YET.

SO, YEAH, THIS IS A FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR, SINCE HE'S BEEN HERE HE'S DONE SOME FAIRLY BIZARRE THINGS.

HE'S THE AUTHOR OF THE ANTIPUBLIC ART BILL, AND SOME OF THE THINGS LIKE THAT.

HIS -- BILL SPENCE'S REPORTING HAS SHOWN SOME SOMEWHAT ODD THINGS IN HIS BACKGROUND, SUCH AS THE VON IN HIS NAME, HE ADDED TO HIS NAME FOR SECURITY REASONS WHILE LIVING IN ALABAMA.

I DON'T THINK WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS NEW LEGISLATOR, AND THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE MOST PLEASANT THING FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS TO FIND OUT.

>> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT AS WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS ISSUED A DENIAL, HE HAS HIRED ATTORNEY DAVID LEROY WHO IS A FORMER OF COURSE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO REPRESENT HIM AND THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE AS YOU SAID, IS LOOKING INTO THIS.

SO WE WILL KEEP EVERYBODY POSTED.

KEVIN, WE HAVE LESS THAN HALF A MINUTE LEFT, BETSY SAID THAT THE SESSION IS NEVER GOING TO END.

DO YOU HAVE A PREDICTION?

>> TUESDAY IS DAY 100 OF THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE.

IS IT LIKE A BASKETBALL GAME, WILL WE GET FREE TACOS BECAUSE HE HIT THE 100 MARK?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

NOW THAT WE'RE FULLY VACCINATED, TACO PARTY AT MY HOUSE.

BETSY RUSSELL, KEVIN RICHERT, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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