>>> 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.

>>> I, BRAD LITTLE.

>> DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> TO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNDERSTAND.

>> AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO.

>> AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

>> AND I WILL FADESFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.

>> OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR.

>> TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, SO HELP ME GOD.

FROM.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >>> IDAHO'S STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WERE SWORN IN ON FRIDAY, BUT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ALREADY BUSY GEARING UP FOR THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT WE HEAR SOME OF THEIR PRIORITIES AS WELL AS THEIR RELAX TO THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE STATE'S ABORTION BAN.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

IDAHO REPORTS STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO IDAHO REPORTS.

THIS WEEK WE GET A PREVIEW OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AS WELL AS HOW WELL THOSE GOALS MESH WITH WHAT HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS ARE SOME MIND.

PRODUCER RUTH BROWN SITS DOWN WITH FRESHMEN REPRESENTATIVES JARON CRANE AND SONIA GALAVIZ TO HEAR WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS YEAR.

FINALLY, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAVID LEROY AND FORMER ASSISTANT TO GOVERNOR CECIL ANDRUS, ANDY BRUNELLEL, DISCUSS THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FRIDAY'S PUBLIC SYNAGOGUES.

>>> BUT FIRST, THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT COURT RELEASED AN OPINION THURSDAY UPHOLDING IDAHO'S ABORTION BAN, AS WELL AS AS A CIVIL ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF A FETUS TO SUE AN ABORTION PROVIDER, INCLUDING PREGNANCIES RESULTING FROM RAPE AND INCEST.

>> I -- I'M VERY INTERESTED IN HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I'M PRO-LIFE.

BUT I'M ALSO PRO-LIFE FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

SO -- >> WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE -- I THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INTENT OF THE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION AND HOW IT'S BEING READED AND THAT BEING -- BEING READ AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO GET THAT CLARITY.

>> WE HAVE A COPY OF THE OPINION AND DISSENT, WITH REACTION -- AS WELL AS REACTIONS FROM STAKEHOLDERS, ONLINE.

YOU'LL FIND THE LINK AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

>>> ALSO THURSDAY, THE SUSPECT ACCUSED OF MURDERING FOUR UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS APPEARED IN A LATAH COUNTY COURT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE LATE DECEMBER ARREST █OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY Ph.D STUDENT BRYAN KOHBERGER CAME AFTER A MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION INTO THE NOVEMBER MURDERS OF XANA KERNODLE, ETHAN CHAPIN, KAYLEE GONCALVES, AND MADISON MOGEN.

GOVERNOR LITTLE HAD APPROPRIATED $1 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY PUND -- FUND TO HELP WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

ON THURSDAY HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT APPROPRIATION AND WHETHER THE STATE GIVING MONEY FOR LOCAL INVESTIGATIONS IS UNUSUAL.

>> THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE TO ME, BUT THE STATE POLICE WERE -- BEFORE WE ALLOCATED THAT, THEY WERE ALREADY DOING A LOT OF WORK UP THERE WITH THE -- WITH MOSCOW CITY POLICE WHO WERE THE JURISDICTION THAT IN CHARGE -- THAT'S IN CHARGE.

AND I'M COGNIZANT THAT I DON'T WANT TO START A PRIORITY THAT IN EVERY -- ANOTHER PROJECT THAT'S STALLED IS OUR CRIME LAB.

BUT FOR THESE COMPLICATED CASES, STATE FRENSZIC, STATE -- FORENSIC, STATE LAB FACILITIES, STATE INVESTIGATORS, ARE A HUGE PRIORITY AND SO I'VE GOT A VERY NICE NOTE ON MY DESK FROM THE -- FROM THE CHIEF ABOUT THE ASSISTANCE THAT THEY PROVIDED.

BUT THIS -- THIS IS -- I -- I HOPE AND PRAY THIS IS A ONE-OFF.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN.

>> THOSE QUESTIONS CAME DURING THE IDAHO PRESS CLUB'S LEGISLATIVE PREINTERVIEW EVENT AT WHICH WE INVITED HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNOR LITTLE TO DISCUSS THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GOVERNOR LITTLE TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE WAS MOSTLY INTERESTED IN STAYING THE COURSE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND PROPERTY TAXES.

>> SCHOOL CHOICE IS PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

BUT I -- I, YOU KNOW, IT GEESE BACK -- IT GOES BACK TO OUR OVERARCHING, I WANT OUR KIDS TO STATE IN IDAHO.

THEY NEED A GOOD K-12 EDUCATION, BUT IN THIS COMPLICATED WORLD, THEY ALSO NEED MORE CAREERS, WHETHER IT, CAREER TECHNOLOGY, ANG ENGINEERING -- AN ENGINEERING DEGREE, FILL IN THE BLANK.

AND BOTH THOSE WERE PART OF HOUSE BILL 1, BOTH K-12 INVESTMENT AND -- AND THE IN DEMAND CAREERS, WHETHER IT BE TRADITIONAL COLLEGE OR A LOT OF EXPANSION THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE CTE AREA.

I ANTICIPATE THAT PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE -- WHICH -- AND OF COURSE, NOT EVERYBODY DIRECTLY PAYS PROPERTY TAXES.

EVERYBODY DOES INCORRECT -- INDIRECTLY.

I ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL BE -- YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT ROOM TO DO SOME WORK THERE.

BUT LIKE I SAID, IN THE PROPERTY TAX AREA, YOU GOT TO MAKE IT TO WHERE IT BENEFITS EVERYBODY AND NOT JUST CERTAIN TAXING DISTRICTS THAT FALL INTO A CERTAIN CATEGORY, WHETHER IT BE TAXING DISTRICTS THAT ARE MAINLY INDUSTRIAL TAX -- THAT ARE RESORT AREAS, PROPERTY TAXES ARE COMPLICATED FOR GOOD REASON.

AND I'M SURE THEY'LL BE AMPLE DISCUSSIONS.

>> BUT AS ALWAYS, MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP HAD THEIR OWN IDEAS.

HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE MOYLE, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CHUCK WINDER, ASSISTANT HOUSE MINORITY LEADER LAUREN NECOCHEA, AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER MELISSA WIN DRO GAVE US INSIGHTS.

>> YOU'LL SEE SOME EFFORTS TO HAVE THE MONEY FOLLOW THE STUDENTS, MAYBE IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST.

THERE'S SOME SUPREME RULINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT ALLOW -- SPEAK RULINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT ALLOW IT USED IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THIS THERE BE SOME PRESSURE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM OF $50 MILLION OF FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP PARENTS TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS PRIMARILY AS IT RELATED TO REMOTE LEARNING.

BUT I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU MIGHT SEE.

THERE AREN'T A LOT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN IDAHO.

WE STILL HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THAT HAS TO BE OUR FIRST PRIORITY.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

BUT WE HAVE THE LUXURY RIGHT NOW TO BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE OF BOTH.

>> OBVIOUSLY, TO INVEST IN OUR QUALITY EDUCATION EVERY STUDENT TO MEET OUR CONSTITUTIONAL AND MORAL OBLIGATION TO FULLY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE GETTING THE FOUNDATION AND GROUNDING THEY NEED TO DO WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO, AND THAT'S STAY IN OUR STATE AND WORK HERE AND FIND A HOME.

SO I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR US.

AND I DO THINK WE NEED TO KEEP PUBLIC FUNDS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THE COMPETITION FOR RESOURCES AND THE TENSION THAT CREATES FOR EDUCATION.

SO LET'S NOT INCREASE THAT TENSION ANY MORE AND BE SURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> THE SLOW GROWING ENVIRONMENT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE NIGHT NOT FEEL IT -- MIGHT NOT FEEL IT SO MUCH WHEN THEY'RE ASKED TO SUBSIDIZE THAT GROWTH.

WHEN THE WE HAD ADA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS GROWING AT THE RATE OF NEEDING TO BUILD A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EVERY SINGLE YEAR, THEN RESIDENTS START TO REALLY FEEL THAT.

AND IT'S JUST NOT FAIR TO ASK THEM TO SUBSIDIZE THAT GROWTH WHEN WE ASK DEVELOPERS TO YOIBT TO, YOU KNOW, PAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO, PAYING FOR THE NEW SEWAGE LINE, THE ROADS, AND THE OTHER PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEIR NEW DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO NECESSITATE.

SO MAKING GROWTH PAY FOR ITSELF THROUGH IMPACT FEES IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TO THAT DOESN'T TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IT DOES NOT A TAX SHIFT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK VERY POPULAR AND I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T GET IT DONE.

PRO PEM WINDER MENTION -- PRO TEM WINDER MENTIONED OUR CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM, IT WAS INTENDED, THE CHANGE IN THE LAW THAT KICKED OVER A THOUSAND LOW-INCOME SENIORS OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK AND CORRECT THAT SO WE CAN GET LOW-INCOME SENIORS BACK INTO PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION AND LOOK AT OTHER WAYS WE CAN HELP LOW-INCOME IDAHOIANS GET INTO THAT PROGRAM AND ASSISTANCE.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE IT FOR VETERANS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY QUESTION COULDN'T HELP OTHER LOW-INCOME IDAHOANS WHO DON'T MEET THAT AGE REQUIREMENT STAY IN THEIR HOME.

>> SO I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO BUSINESS WITH A LEGISLATURE -- WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GOES OUT AND MICROMANAGES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND, MY FRIENDS, WE DON'T COLLECT IT AND WE DON'T SPEND IT AND IT'S ALL TIED TO A BUDGET THAT THEY APPROVED.

SO THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO THINGS LIKE THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION, SO WHAT DOES THAT DO, IFLT SHIFTS -- IT SHIFTS IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

DOES THE HOIRNLS EXEMPTION ALWAYS WORK.

IT'S BUDGE DRIVEN.

YOU HAVE A BUDGET AND THE BUDGET IS GUIDED BY THE RALLY TO GET A RATE THAT'S MUD PLY -- MULTIPLIED BY YOUR PROPERTY T. VALUE DIED -- DIVIDED BY THE BUDGET -- SO THE HOMEOWNERS DON'T GET TAX RELIEF.

THEY THINK THEY DO BECAUSE THE VALUE OF THEIR HOME WENT DOWN BUT THE VALUE WENT DOWN JUST RAISED THE MILL LEVYE RATE.

IT'S EASE TO USE BUZZ WORDS, BUT WHEN YOU WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM YOU NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BUDGET BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE PROBLEM IS AT.

>> WE ALSO ASKED LEADERS AS WELL AS NEW HOUSE HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAIRMAN JOHN SURROUNDERWOOD ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE -- VANDER WOUDE ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE POTENTIAL FOR REPEALING MEDICAID EXPANSION AFTER VOTERS APPROVED EXPANSION IN 2018 WITH JUST OVER 60% OF THE VOTE.

-- POTENTIAL FOR THE FEDERAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TANK THE RATE FROM THE CURRENT 90-10 SPLIT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY PAYS 90% OF THE COST OF MEDICAID EXPANSION, AND THE STATE PAYS 10%.

SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION POINT TO THE NEED FOR VULNERABLE IDAHOANS TO KEEP THEIR HEALTHCARE, AS WELL AS THE COST TO THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IF EXPANSION GOES AWAY.

>> THIS IS THE FIVE-YEAR LOOKBACK AT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WHEN THAT PASSED WITH WERE TOLD IT WOULD PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

IT DIDN'T.

WE WERE TOLD IT COST $40 MILLION.

I THINK IT'S IN THE 130.

WAY MORE THAN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE.

IT'S OUT OF CONTROL.

AND IF WE DO NOT GET THAT MEDICAID ANIMAL UNDER CONTROL, IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON EDUCATION AND OTHER PLACES.

SO WE'VE GOT TO BE REALLY CAREFUL THERE.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S EASILY REPEALED, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT THE STANDPOINT OF WHAT ARE THE COSTS, THE CONTAINMENTS.

YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT IT.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE POTENTIAL SHIFT IN THE RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT, IT COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ALL OF OUR BUDGETS.

SO SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT VERY CAREFULLY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE USING IT DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER AVAILABLE HEALTHCARE.

SO IT'S SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO -- YOU HAVE TO TRY AND BALANCE ALL THAT OUT.

>> MEDICAIDS EXPANSION IS THE BEST DEAL AROUND FOR IDAHOANS.

WE CAN PUT IN $1 AND WE LEVERAGE $9 TO PAY FOR MEDICARE AT A -- MEDICAL CARE AT A TIME WHEN WE DISCUSSED OUR STRETCH THINNED OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS.

>> WE CAN'T BE STRIPPING PEOPLE OF THEIR HEALTHCARE AT THIS POINT, ESPECIALLY IN A PANDEMIC.

AND WE KNOW THE NEEDS THAT FOLKS HAVE AND IN THIS ECONOMY.

IT IS TOUGH.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN REPEAL MEDICAID EXPANSION.

BUT I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE TO CONTROL THE COSTS OF IT.

MY BIGGEST FEAR ON MEDICAID EXPANSION IS THAT IF CONGRESS DECIDES THEY'RE GOING TO START REINING IN THE BUDGET AND THEY TAKE MEDICAL CASE EXPANSION AND PUT -- MEDICAID EXPANSION AND PUT IT INTO MEDICAID AND OUR REIMBURSEMENT GOES DOWN TO 60 SOME PERCENT INSTEAD OF 90%.

THAT TO ME IS NOT BEYOND THE REALM OF POSSIBILITIES BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL LEGISLATION SAID IT WAS ONLY FOR A CERTAIN LENGTH OF TIME AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS TO DO THE 90% REIMBURSEMENT RATE.

AND IF IT GOES DOWN TO THE 65% REIMBURSEMENT RATE, THEN IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY BIG COST TO THE STATE.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS AREN'T THE ONLY PLAYERS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

THE 2023 SESSION SEES THE LARGEST INCOMING FRESHMEN CLASS IN DECADES AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THESE NEW LAMAR ALEXANDER WILL CHANGE THE DYNAMICS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

ON THURSDAY PRODUCER RUTH BROWN SPOKE TO FRESHMEN REPRESENTATIVES SONIA GALAVIZ AND JARON CRANE ABOUT THEIR GOALS, AS WELL AS THEIR REACTIONS TO THE ABORTION RULING THAT HAD BEEN RELEASED JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THEY SAT DOWN ON SET.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CRANE, THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO ISSUED AN OPINION UPHOLDING IDAHO'S ABORTION LAW.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY REGARDING THE DECISION OR PLANS MOVING FORWARD?

>> YEAH, I -- NOT A SPOKESMAN FOR MY CAUCUS.

BUT YEAH, LOOKS LIKE THEY CONSTITUTIONALLY UPELDEVERYTHING.

WE'RE GOING -- UPHELD EVERYTHING.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK DEEPER TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE?

>> SEEING IT CAME MOMENTS AGO AND TRYING TO READ AND SKIM THROUGH A LENGTHY RESPONSE, IT'S DISAPPOINTING, YOU KNOW, THAT THE THREE LAWS ARE GOING TO BE UPHELD PRIMARILY WHERE MY HEART GOES IS TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE.

AS I WAS, YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGNING AND AFTER I WAS ELECTED, I WAS ABLE TO MEET WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND WOMEN AND THE I'VE HAD MEDICAL -- IDAHO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND NOT JUST FROM MY OWN THOUGHTS ABOUT BODILY AUTONOMY OR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND OUR OWN BODIES BUT LISTENING TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS REALLY EMPHASIZE THE STRUGGLE THAT IT HAS PUT THAT THESE THREE LAWS HAVE PUT UPON THEM AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, BUT ALSO THE FEAR THAT IT HAS -- FEAR THAT HAS OVERTAKEN THE COMMUNITY IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND WOMEN TRYING TO SEEK CARE.

AND SO DIRECTLY FROM PHYSICIANS, AGAIN NOT MY STORIES, PHYSICIANS TALK ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO TREAT WOMEN WHO HAD HAD A MISCARRIAGE BUT THE MISS CARRIAGE DIDN'T FULLY COMPLETE, THEY NEEDED TO HELP THE MOTHER.

THE CHILD WAS NO -- THE LIFE WAS NO LONGER VIABLE.

BUT THROUGH THE PROCEDURE THAT WAS NECESSARY, THEY WERE AFRAID THAT THEY WOULD FALL UNDER THAT -- CIVIL LIABILITY LAW AND THEY WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, HELD SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION BECAUSE OF IT.

ALSO OTHER DOCTORS TALKING ABOUT WOMEN TRAVELING FROM CITY TO CITY TRYING TO GET CARE FOR AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY AND DOCTORS NOT CARING FOR THEM THINKING, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU KNOW, MAY END IN THE TERMINATION OF THE FETUS.

AND SO DURING ONE PARTICULAR MEETING THAT WE HAD WITH IDAHO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE ROOM, REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS AS WELL, THAT APOLOGIZED PUBLICLY SAYING THAT WAS NOT THE INTENTION OF WHAT WE DID -- WHAT WE MEANT DURING THE SESSION.

WE DID NOT MEAN TO IMPEDE UPON MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS' ABILITY TO CARE AND WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T MEAN FOR WOMEN'S LIVES TO BE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THIS.

BUT THAT'S THE ACTUAL WALT.

-- ACTUALITY.

WOMEN ARE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK TO GET HEALTHCARE, TO GET TREATMENT.

AND THAT'S A PROBLEM, TO SEND A WOMAN HOME BECAUSE HER HEALTH IS AT RISK BUT NOT HER LIFE YET, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY PROVISION, RIGHT?

THE EXEMPTION, THE ONLY EXEMPTION THAT EXISTS IS IF HER LIFE IS IN DIRECT RISK.

SO AGAIN, I'M SORRY TO BEAT THIS AGAIN, BUT ANOTHER STORY FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SAYING SHE HAD TO SEND HOME THE MOTHER UNTIL AN INFECTION SET IN FROM THE FETUS THAT HAD NOT COMPLETELY BEEN TERMINATED, UNTIL THE INFECTION SET IT AND IT RISKED THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, THEN THE WOMAN COULD COME BACK AND RECEIVE CARE AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL FELT LIKE SHE WOULD BE COVERE IN THAT SENSE.

SO WE HAVE GOT SOME PROBLEMS WITH THESE THREE LAWS.

MY COLLEAGUE JARON SAYING HOPEFULLY WE LOOK AT IT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE ADDRESSING THE HEALTH AND LIFE OF WOMEN IN OUR STATE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE INTENTION OF THE LAWS, YOU KNOW, THE ORIGINAL INTENTION AND THEN ALSO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITIZENS OF IDAHO IS UPHELD THAT PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL SAFE TO BE ABLE TO APPROACH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

>> I WON'T GRILL EITHER OF YOU ON IT TOO MUCH AS WE'RE TAPING AT 3:30 ON THURSDAY.

I AM GOING TO MOVE ON.

YOU'RE BOTH NEW TO THE HOUSE THIS YEAR.

YOU'RE FRESHMEN.

REPRESENTATIVE CRANE, YOU'RE ASSIGNED TO STATE AFFAIRS, WHICH YOU REQUESTED.

IT CAN BE QUITE CONTROVERSIAL COMMITTEE.

WHY STATE AFFAIRS AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS >> YEAH, SO WHEN I LOOK AT -- THREE COMMUNITIES, TRANSPORTATION, DEFENSE, BUSINESS, AND STATE AFFAIRS.

I WAS BLESSED TO GET ALL THREE CHOICES.

THE STATE AFFAIRS SIDE OF MY LIFE IS I GUESS THE FLENS THE WORLD VIEW.

-- LENS IN THE WORLD VIEW.

THE TOUGH AND STICKY THINGS LIKE WE BARELY GOT INTO.

I CARE PASSIONATELY AND DEEPLY ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

SO I WANT TO BE IN THAT.

I WANT TO BE IN THAT DISCUSSION.

I WANT TO BE IN THE ROOM.

BRINGS IDEAS FORWARD.

I WANT TO HEAR PEOPLE TESTIFY.

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND WHAT THE BEST SOLUTIONS CAN BE.

THE OTHER TWO COMMITTEES' BUSINESS IS BECAUSE I'M A BUSINESS OWNER AND TRANSPORTATION DEFENSE, BECAUSE I SERVED IN THE MILITARY HERE IN IDAHO.

SO I'M EXCITED TO JOIN THE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

MY BROTHER BRENT IS A CHAIRMAN.

HE DOES A GREAT JOB.

HE RUNS A GREAT COMMITTEE.

AND THAT WILL BE A FUN THING TO GET TO SIT ON THAT COMMITTEE WITH HIM.

BUT EXCITED TO JOIN AND HEAR ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE CONTROVERSIAL BUT THEY'RE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU'LL BE ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND EDUCATION CHOICE, SCHOOL CHOICE.

THERE'S DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TO USE AROUND IT.

YOU TELL ME.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SEE COME OUT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

>> SURE.

WELL, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION.

AND I'M EXCITED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVE CRANE.

HE'S CRATE AND WAS -- GREAT AND WAS ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST FACES IN THE ORIENTATION WEEK.

SO I THINK THE FRESHMAN CLASS COMING IN WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

WE ARE WILLING TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE AND FIND COMMON GROUND WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS MY NORTH STAR.

I'VE BEEN 20 YEARS IN PUBLIC ED IN IDAHO.

AND SO I -- THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF ATTENTION BEING GIVEN ON EDUCATION PARTICULARLY FROM -- SINCE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS CAME THROUGH DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION.

AND WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO TO BE ABLE TO INCREASE FUNDING TO OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE OUR -- YOU'RE DISTRICTS HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY ENDED EVER.

THERE'S QUITE -- FUNDED EVER.

THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF WORK TO DO TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TEACHERS.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT CLASS IN CERTIFIED POSITIONS AND CLASSIFIED POSITIONS AND EVERY POSITIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

VOUCHERS IS A HOT TOPIC AND I THINK THERE'S A CONVERSATION TO BE HAD ABOUT WHERE FAMILIES HAVE ABSOLUTE RIGHT AND CHOICE IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

UT NOT TAKING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

SO ANY -- WHETHER YOU WANT TO CALL IT AN ESA OR VOUCHER, ANYTHING THAT TAKES FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND GIVES TO A PRIVATE INSTITUTION, THAT IS A VOUCH EVER.

AND SO AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I -- I'M NOT FOR AND THERE'S A LAUNDRY RIS OF -- LIST OF REASONS WHY, BUT HAVING GROWN UP IN RURAL IDAHO, KNOWING THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR RURAL SCHOOLS, TO REMOVE THAT MONEY.

AND THEN THE MAJORITY OF WHERE ACCESS LIES FOR PRIVATEGESTION -- PRIVATE EDUCATION IS BECAUSELY IN THE -- BASICALLY IN THE TREASURE VALLEY.

SEWSA IS OUR REPORTING -- ESA IS OUR REPORTING TO INVOLVE A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

WE HAVE ENORMOUS CHOICE WITHIN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SOME REALLY EXCITING CHOICES THAT EXIST EVEN THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL, THROUGH IDLA, AND MAGNET SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO I THINK A CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE HAD ABOUT WHAT IS IT THAT OHIOANS WANT TO -- IDAHOANS WANT AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT CHOICES ARE ROBUST AND AVAILABLE TO THEM WITHIN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SO I'M EXCITED TO BE AN ACTIVE SCHOOL TEACHER, YOU KNOW.

NOW AND DURING THIS CONVERSATION THAT PERHAPS IF I CAN PROVIDE CONTEXT TO WHAT SOME OF THE DECISIONS MAY LACK LIKE ON THE GROUND, LIKE IN ACTUALITY, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT AND TO BE A VOICE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATORS IN THAT SPACE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOLD REALLY DEAR TO MY HEART AND IT'S A PASSION FOR SURE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CRANE, DID YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THAT?

I'M SURE YOU HAVE MANS FOR EDUCATION.

>> I DO.

-- PLANS FOR EDUCATION.

>> I DO.

I DO.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

ONE OF THE BILLS THAT I'M WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, IT'S IN RS AND IT'S AT REV AND TAX SITTING WITH CHAIRMAN, TO PROVIDE A -- IMPACT ON IMPACT FEES.

WE HAVE IMPACT FEES AVAILABLE.

BUT SCHOOLS AREN'T ARE THOSE -- ON THOSE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE AFFECTED HAVING TO PAY INTO, THERE'S A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA, WE MAY HAVE TO BUILD A SCHOOL BECAUSE OF POPULATION CHANGE, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DIRECTLY BUYING THOSE HOMES PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE SOME SAY IN THE GAME IN PUT THE SCHOOL.

SO I WANT AN IMPACT LINE ITEM IN THERE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT SHE BRINGS FORWARD, BUT IT WILL BE GOOD.

>> ON FRIDAY IDAHO SUPREME CHIEF JUSTICE RICHARD BEVAN PUBLICLY SWORE IN ALL OF IDAHO'S CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS IN FRONT OF THE STATEHOUSE.

I WAS JOINED BY DAVID LEROY AS WELL AS ANDY BRUNELL, FORM SPECIAL ASSISTANT ON NATURAL RESOURCES, AND STAFFER FOR SECRETARY OF STATE PETE CENARUSSA, TO DISCUSS THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAY.

>> I REMEMBER THE INAUGURATION IN 19 STEVEN 9, PETE CENARUSSA BEING -- 1979, PETE CENARUSSA BEING KNOTTED FOR -- INAUGURATED FOR HIS ADDITIONAL TERM FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

BUT JOHN EVANS WAS BEING -- HE HAD TAKEN OFFICE AND HAD SERVED FOR TWO YEARS BUT IT WAS HIS FIRST LEAKS.

AND -- ELECTION.

AND THAT SAME DAY, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN INAUGURATED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT DAY.

BUT IT WAS A BIG COMING TOGETHER FOR THE OFFICIALS ON THAT DAY IN 1979.

WHAT I REMEMBER FROM 1991, WHAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IS, ONE, THE WEATHER WAS A LOT WORSE.

IT WAS 19 DEGREES OUT.

AND SO ANDRUS KEPT THINGS SHORT AND IT WAS OVER IN 40 MINUTES OR SO.

BUT IT WAS A CONTINUATION WHERE HE WAS MOVING INTO HIS FOURTH TERM, WHERE IT WAS MORE WITH SOME CHANGES WHERE LARRY WAS TAKING OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT IT WAS MORE OF A CONTINUATION OF THE WORK AND THE DAY-TO-DAY WORK.

SO THE INAUGURATION THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT LESS I WOULD SAY SIGNIFICANT FROM THE FAMILY AND THE COMING TOGETHER, BUT MORE JUST CONTINUING THE WORK.

AND WHAT I REMEMBER IN THE OFFICE AT THAT TIME WITH GOVERNOR ANDRUS WAS THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS, THE INAUGURAL ACTIVITIES BEING ADDITIONAL WORK AND STAFF TIME, IN ADDITION TO PREPARING THE STATE OF THE STATE AND IN ADDITION TO THE STATE BUDGET MESSAGE AND PREPARING THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND I THINK TODAY THERE MAY BE A LITTLE BIT OF AN ELEMENT IN THAT THAT WE HEARD FROM GOVERNOR LITTLE.

HE'S COMING BACK FOR HIS SECOND TERM.

AND HE DOUBLED DOWN ON MUCH OF HIS AGENDA THAT HE MENTIONED IN HIS FIRST INAUGURAL FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION AND CHILDREN, AND LOOKING AT REGULATORY RED TAPE.

SO THERE'S A MORE BUSINESS ASPECT I THINK THAT YOU SEE IN SOME OF TODAY'S THEMES AS WELL.

>> HE'S ALSO COMING OFF OF NOT JUST VICTORIES IN THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION, BUT ALSO THAT ADVISORY VOTE THAT WE SAW ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, THAT REAFFIRMS STRONG SUPPORT, MORE THAN 80% OF VOTERS SAID WE SUPPORT YOUR AGENDA WHEN IT COMES TO INCOME TAX AND EDUCATION SPENDING.

YOU KNOW, THAT SAID, THERE WERE SOME HARD-FOUGHT PRIMARIES AND A COUPLE GENERAL ELECTION RACES.

IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, HOW EASY IS IT TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK AS A TEAM AFTER THOSE HARD-FOUGHT ELECTIONS?

>> WELL, IT IS POSSIBLE.

AND IT IS NECESSARY, FRANKLY, IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

I WAS ELECTED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND WE HAD JOHN EVANS, A DEMOCRAT, ELECTED AS GOVERNOR.

SO I APPROACHED THE GOVERNOR THE FIRST DAY WE WERE IN OFFICE BY GOING DOWN, MAKING AN APPOINTMENT, GIVING HIM A LIST OF 10 OR 12 THINGS THAT I WISHED TO DO AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, IF WE WOULD WORK OUT SOME ACTIVITIES BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES.

THE GOVERNOR WASN'T TOO INTERESTED IN MY LIST TO START WITH.

BUT AS IT GOT CLOSER AND CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE TIME THAT WE WAS GOING TO LEAVE THE STATE AND LEAVE ME IN CHARGE AS ACTING GOVERNOR THE FIRST TIME, WE GOT A VERY INTERESTED IN THAT LIST AND HE ENDED UP GIVING ME 10 OR 12 OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED.

TIMING OF THIS SIR MOAN TODAY -- CEREMONY TODAY.

AS WE KNOW, THEY WERE OFFICIALLY SWORN IN EARLIER AND HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE SEVERAL DAYS.

YOU'VE LEARNED, FOR INSTANCE, WE'VE LEARNED, AS HAVE I, THAT MANY OF THE OFFICIALS HAVE MR. MET TOGETHER -- ALREADY MET TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT PUTTING BEHIND THEM THOSE PROBLEMS OF CAMPAIGN RHETORIC AND WORKING TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY, PARTICULARLY THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT AND VERY PROMISING.

>> YOU CAN FIND MY FULL DISCUSSION WITH LEROY AND BRUNELLE ONLINE AS WELL AS OUR FULL SYNAGOGUES BROADCAST.

>>> ALSO ONLINE THIS WEEK, I SPOKE TO CHRIS CARGILL OF THE MOUNTAIN STATES POLICY CENTER.

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THOSE LINKS AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

ON MONDAY WE'LL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR LITTLE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, STARTING AT 1:00 P.M., MOUNTAIN TIME, NOON PACIFIC, ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AND IT AIRS AT WELCOME BACK.

-- WEBSITE.

THE THANKS FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>>> 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.