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

>>> THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS A NEW SPEAKER AND THE REST OF THE LAWMAKERS HAVE THEIR NEW COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR IDAHOS?

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

IDAHOANSE STARTS NOW -- "IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

LOGANE TRAVELED TO NORTH IDAHO THIS SUMMER FOR AN UPDATE ON THE DECADES-LONG EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE SPRAWLING BUNKER HILL SUPERFUND SITE.

THEN KEVIN RICHERT AND BETSY RUSSELL JOIN ME TO GIVE YOU A RUNDOWN ON NEW LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR IDAHOANS.

THE WEEK STARTED OFF WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION FOR IDAHO'S 45 NEW LAWMAKERS AT THE BOYSER STATE HOUSE.

AND ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES MET TO VOTE FOR THEIR NEW LEADERSHIP.

MOYLE AS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAKING MOYLE THE FIRST NEW SPEAKER IN A DECADE.

MOYLE REPLACES LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR-ELECT SCOTT BEDKE.

REPRESENTATIVE MEGAN BLANKSMA SAGE DIXON IS THE NEW ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER, AND DUSTIN MAN WARRING WILL SEARCH AS MAJORITY CAUCUS -- CAUCUS CHAIR.

IN THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP STAYED THE SAME AS SENATOR CHUCK WINDER HELD HIS ROLE.

SENATE DEMOCRATS CHOSE SENATOR MELISSA WINTROW.

SENATOR JAMES RUCHTY IS ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER.

REPRESENTATIVES I WILLANA RUBEL AND LAUREN -- NED BURNS IS THE NEW MINORITY CAUCUS CHAIRMAN.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> LEGISLATIVE NEWS WASN'T THE ONLY TOPIC MAGGING HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

THE STATE HAS CANCELED THE SCHEDULED DECEMBER 15TH EXECUTION OF GERALDE, JR., AFTER THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARILY LINK COMIMS FOR -- CHEMS FOR THE EXECUTION.

THEY SAID WHILE THE DEPARTMENT IS -- WILL CONTINUE TRYING TO PRODUR THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS -- CHEMS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THEY'LL BE ABLE TO BEFORE THE 15TH.

CURRENTLY LETHAL INJECTION IS THE ONLY LEGAL FORM OF EXECUTION.

IDAHO HAD THE OPTION OF USING A FIRING SQUAD.

PRODUCER RUTH BROWN HAS MUCH MORE ON THE HISTORY OF IDAHO'S EXECUTION STATUTE.

>>> GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE HAS ALLOCATED THERE ARE 1 MILLION IN STATE EMERGENCY FUNDS TO AID THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE NOVEMBER MURDERS OF FOUR UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS.

THE LEGISLATURE ESTABLISHED THE GOVERNOR'SMAN FUND IN 1968.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO PRESIDENT C. SCOTT GREEN ANNOUNCED IN LATE NOVEMBER THAT STUDENTS COULD CHOOSE BETWEEN HYBRID AND IN-PERSON LEARNING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SMALL SEMESTER -- SMALL SPHERS AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

THE GOVERNOR LITTLE ATTENDED A WEDNESDAY EVENING VIGILIL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO IN MOSCOW WHILE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SCOTT BEDKE ATTENDED A VIGIL AT THE UI BOISE CAMPUS.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LOGAN FINNEY VISITED THE COEUR d'ALENE RIVER BASIN THIS SUMMER TO REPORT ON THE DECADES-LONG EFFORT TO MITIGATE HISTORIC MINING WASTE IN THE BUNKER HILL SUPERFUND SITE.

>> THE SILVER VALLEY IN NORTH IDAHO WAS ONCE ONE OF THE RICHEST SILVER DISTRICTS IN THE WORLD.

AND ITS MINES THE LARGEST ECONOMIC DRIVERS IN THE STATE.

BUT DECADES AFTER THE MINES AND SMELTER CLOSED, THE BASIN IS ENTERING A NEW PHASE OF CLEANING UP.

>> WITH THE HISTORIC MINING PRATION, THEY DIDN'T HAVE REGULATIONS AT THE TIME.

SO THESE RELEASES OUT THE SILVER VALLEY AND DOWN INTO THE LOWER -- BASIN HAS LED TO INJURY AND HUMAN HEALTH KENS.

>> PEOPLE CALLED THE SOUTH FORK LEAD CRICK.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER FROM THE NORTH FORK ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNED THIS UGLY GREENISH GRAY.

>> FOR MANY YEARS THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MINING WERE SEEN SIMPLY AS THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS.

BUT WHEN THE POLLUTION STARTED AFFECTING THE VALLEY'S CHILDREN, SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE.

>> BACK IN 1973 WHEN THE BAG HOUSE, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE FILTRATION SYSTEMS FOR THE SMELTER, CAUGHT ON FIRE.

THE AMOUNT OF LEAD THAT CAME OUT OF THE SMELTER, 10 TONS UP TO 160 TONS PER MONTH.

IN 1974, THE CDC, THE HEALTH DISTRICT -- IT WAS FOUND THAT 99% OF THE CHILDREN HAD BLOOD LEAD POISON.

>> THEY REALLY SHINED THE LIGHT ON THE ISSUES WHICH ENABLED EPE AS THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE LA PROGRAM TO LIST THE SITE AS A SUPERFUND SITE.

>> AS THE CLEANUP BEGAN, THE EFFECTS OF THE MINES WEREN'T LIMITED TO THE DIRT AND WATER.

EVEN THE AIR ITSELF WAS TAINTED BY THE SMELTER, TOWERING OVER THE VALLEY.

>> SO THOSE METALS WERE COMING OUT OF IS THERE.

THE VALLEY HAS A BAD PROBLEM WITH INVERSIONS AREAS.

IT ACIDIFIED THE VALLEY WHERE VEGETATION WOULDN'T GROW.

>> 30 YEARS LATER, THE ORANGE HILLS AND THE SMELTER ITSELF HAVE -- ONE OF THE LARGER -- LARGEST, BUNKER HILL, HAS A -- >> IT'S A PH OF BETWEEN 2 AND 3 AND HAS A LOT OF HEAVY METALS.

>> A SECTION OF BUNKER HILL WAS MINED TOO CLOSE TO THE SURFACE AND AN ENTIRE CREEK FORK DISAPPEARS INTO ONE OF THE SHAFTS.

THE CENTRAL TREATMENT PLANT BUILT BY THE ORIGINAL MINING COMPANY PROCESSES HIGHLY ACIDIC MINE DRAINAGE WHICH DISSOLVES HEAVY METALS AND WOULD CARRY THEM DOWN TO THE LAKE IF NOT UNTREATED.

>> THEY INSTALLED THREE NEW SLEDGE CELLS THAT ARE ALL LINED AND HAVE LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS.

>> WE'RE ON AVERAGE GETTING OVER 13 POUNDS PER DAY OF ZINC, WHICH ENDS UP BEING JUST UNDER HALF MILLION POUNDS OF ZINC PER YEAR THAT WE'RE REMOVING OUT.

>> TODAY THE LOCAL ECONOMY RELIES MORE HEAVILY ON RECREATION THAN ON RESOURCE EXTRACTION.

BUT SOME RESIDENTS SAY THE NOW BOOMING TOURIST AREA MIGHT BE A VICTIM OF ITS OWN SUCCESS.

>> AS TIME PASSES PEOPLE FORGET THE MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACT AND THE HAZARDS AND HAS SMOOTHED IT OVER AND THERE'S LOST THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HAND.

BUT THE TOXICITY IS STILL THERE.

>> NOBODY HAS TO REALLY FOLLOW RULES UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR SOMETHING HAPPENS.

THEN SUDDENLY IT BECOMES AN ISSUE.

BUT WE SAID, NO, THIS ONE CAMPSITE IS IN A VERY TOXIC ZONE.

>> THAT WAS PART OF THE COUNTY DUMP.

THAT'S BEEN SITTING THERE BREWING FOR -- YOU KNOW, GOD KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS.

>> THE ARSENIC LEVEL WAS 500 TIMES THE LIMIT THAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL.

THAT'S ARSENIC, WHICH IS REALLY BAD!

AND THEN THERE'S LEAD,S WITH 10 TIMES -- LEAD, WAS 10 TIMES ALLOWED FOR CHILDREN.

WE KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE MINERALS AND LEAD LEVELS IN AREAS.

BUT NOT TO THESE DEGREES.

>> WHETHER THE CONTAMINATION IS TRASH LEFT BY CAMPERS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE OR LEAD TAINTING THE DIRT BANKS, THE PERSONALITY OF THE RIVER ENSURES THAT NONE OF IT STAYS IN PLACE FOR VERY LONG.

>> THE LAKE IS IN THE CENTER OF THE SUPERFUND SITE.

AND THAT'S -- A LOT OF PEOPLE GET CONFUSED, BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH LOCAL PRESSURE AT THE TIME AND POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT E.P.A.

TO ASSIGN A REMEDY FOR THE LAKE.

>> THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION TO LISTING THE ENTIRE SITE AND NOT A REAL CLEAR UNDERSTANDING EVENA EP -- EVEN FROM E.P.A.

WHAT WOULD THE SELECTIVE REMEDY BE UNDER SUPERFUND.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 70 MILLION TONS OF WET SLUDGY SEDIMENT THAT IN MANY PLACES 120 FEET UNDER WATER.

SO THERE'S NOT REALLY A GOOD WAY TO JUST DIG THAT UP AND MOVE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> IN 2019 GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE ORDERED A REVIEW FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES TO VERIFY THE THREE DECADES OF WATER QUALITY TRENDS MONITORED BY DEQ AND THE COEUR d'ALENE TRIBE.

THE TRIBE WITHDREW FROM THE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN SHORTLY THRARCH -- THEREAFTER, CITING A LACK OF ACTION.

>> THE TRIBE HAS MORE STRINGENT WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND THE TRIBE WILL HAVE FUNDING THROUGH SETTLEMENT, SUING SOME OF THESE MINING COMPANIES, TO ADDRESS THE LAKE.

BUT THE STATE DIDN'T AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO ALLOCATE TOWARDS LOOKING AT PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN AND OTHER NUTRIENTS OF CONCERN.

>> PHOSPHORUS IS A NECESSARY ELEMENT FOR LIFE.

IT GROWS ALGAE AND GRASS.

IT'S IN EVERYTHING.

>> THE AQUATIC PLANTS GROW, THEY DIE.

AND WHEN THEY SINES OR DECOMPOSE, MY -- MICROBES EAT UP THE OXYGEN AND THAT'S THE ONLY PROTECTIVE MEASURE IN KEEPING METALS BOUND TO THE SENDMENTS -- SEDIMENTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE.

>> WE CAN'T TO KEEP THE METALS TRAPPED SO THEY DON'T BECOME PART OF THE WATER COLUMN AND AFFECT AQUATIC LIFE.

>> LITTLE DISTRIBUTED GRANTS FOR PROJECTS, TO REDUCE PHOSPHORUS LOADING INTO THE LAKE.

THE LEGISLATURE IN 2019 APPROPRIATED -- 2021 APPROPRIATED $2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING AND ANOTHER 20 MILLION IN FEDERAL -- FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>> THE LAKE IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM YOU CAN SEE.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM THAT WE'RE FACING DIRECTLY AT THIS MOMENT.

SO EVEN IF THERE WEREN'T METALS IN THE BOTTOM, YOU'D WANT TO LIMIT PHOSPHORUS INPUT SO YOU COULD PROTECT THE LAKE HEALTH INTO THE FUTURE.

>> THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REVIEW PUBLISHED THIS FALL FOUND THAT THE LAKE IS BEGINNING TO RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF MINING, THOUGH PRESSURE FROM POPULATION GROWTH IS ALSO A CONCERN.

THE LAKE AS A WHOLE IS STILL IN VIOLATION OF TRIBE AND STATE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MEASURES TO DETERMINE WHAT THE STATE OF THE LAKE IS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

AND OUR GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE WHOLE LAKE AS A WHOLE UNIT IS THAT WATER QUALITY IS ON A DECREASING TREND.

AND IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION ON THAT.

>> AFTER LITIGATING AND SUING MINING COMPANIES FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS AND GETTING TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN PUT MONEY ON THE GROUND AND SEE THE GOOD COME OUT OF IT, IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> LOTS OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE CLEANING UP THE LEGACY OF THE MINES, BUT FROM THE TOP OF THE BASIN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DRAINAGE, THERE IS STILL NO END IN SIGHT.

>> WE PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD DECADE TO TWO DECADES LEFT CLEANING UP THERE.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE LOWER BASIN TO DEAL WITH AND PROBABLY AT SOME POINT IN TIME, IF THE SCIENCE GETS THERE, DEALING WITH LAKE COEUR d'ALENE ALSO.

80 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION THAT WAS RELEASED YOU JUST DON'T CLEAN IT UP OVERNIGHT.

SO -- >> NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE DAMAGE BEING DONE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.

AND SO A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN SAY, THE E.P.A.

CAME IN HERE AND FORCED THIS AND FORCED THAT.

BUT THE TRUTH IS, THESE HILLS ARE GREEN AGAIN.

AND THE WATER IS CLEANER.

>> OUR FRIENDS AT "IDAHO EXPERIENCE" ALSO SPENT TIME UP NORTH THIS PAST SUMMER, FOCUSING ON THE NEIGHBORING SUNSHINE MINE.

THIS SUNDAY DECEMBER 4TH, IDAHO EXPERIENCE IS PREMIERING A ONE-HOUR SPECIAL ON THE 1972 SUNSHINE MINE TRAGEDY.

"REMEMBERING THE SUNSHINE MINE DISASTER" AIRS 6:00 P.M. SUNDAY ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>>> AND ONE NOTE WE WANT TO CLARIFY SOME NUMBERS FROM A NOVEMBER 18TH PACKAGE WE RAN ON A PROPOSAL TO GIVE HIGH ACHIEVING GRADUATING SENIORS IN IDAHO SCHOLARSHIPS OF $4,000 PER SEMESTER.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REACHED OUT TO US AFTER THE INTERVIEW TO CORRECT SOME NUMBERS.

-- 2,000 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE PROPOSED SCHOLARSHIP.

THE SUBJECT WE INTERVIEWED SAID THE COST WOULD BE $8 MILLION PER YEAR, BUT THE STATE BOARD POINTED OUT THE FIGURE WOULD BE PER SEMESTER, IN OTHER WORDS.

IT WOULD COST $16 PER YEAR.

WE REGRET THE ERROR.

>>> JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF ASSIGNMENTS IS KEVIN RICHERT AND BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS.

BIG CHANGES ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE MAJORITY THIS WEEK WITH LONG-TIME HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE MOYLE BECOMING SPEAKER.

HE SERVED UNDER BOTH SPEAKER LAWRENCE DENNY AND THEN FOR 10 YEARS AS MAJORITY LEADER UNDER SCOTT BEDKE.

BETSY, TALK TO ME ABOUT MOYLE AS SPEAKER.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

>> I THINK THAT HE IS QUITE UNPREDICTABLE!

AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM REPRESENTATIVE MOYLE.

HE MADE IT VERY CLEAR ON PHYSICAL VERY FIRST DAY, AS SOON AS HE WAS WORN IN, THAT HE WAS DOING THINGS HIS WAY AND HE DIDN'T CARE HOW PAST SPEAKERS DID THINGS.

AND THE BIG EXAMPLE IS WHAT HE DID ON JAY FACT WHERE HE REMOVED ONE OF THE TWO DEMOCRATS ON THAT COMMITTEE.

AND THOSE SEATS HAD ALWAYS BEEN ALLOCATED ON THE BASIS OF THE PERCENTAGE THAT THE MINORITY AND IN THE PAST THE NUMBERS THAT THEY HAVE NOW WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THEM HAVING TWO MEMBERS.

AND HE CAME RIGHT OUT AND TOLD ME, I'M TAKING CARE OF MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS.

I CAN PUT ANOTHER REPUBLICAN ON THERE IF I TAKE A DEMOCRAT OFF.

AND THEN TODAY HE WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCILIATORY, SAYING I'M DOING WHAT I THINK IS BEST FOR THE STATE.

HE SET A VERY PARTISAN TONE.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY BRASH AND HOW THAT PLAYS ON IN THE SPEAKER'S ROLE IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING AND DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

>> YOU STARTED OFF BY SAYING YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO BE UNPREDICTABLE.

BUT WE KNOW HIS PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT TAXES, ESPECIALLY.

HE'S TAKEN AN INTEREST IN OTHER ISSUES AS WELL, LIKE TRANSPORTATION.

SO WHEN YOU SAY UNPREDICTABLE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> WELL, FOR EXAMPLE, HIS ROLE ON TAXES.

HE'S TAKEN A VERY UPFRONT ROLE ON THE HOS REVENUE TAXATION COMMITTEE FOR YEARS.

AND WHEN I ASKED HIM ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES, WHICH ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE LEGISLATURE IS SAYING IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES THEY'RE FACING, ALL THE NEW LEGISLATORS SAY IT'S ALL THEY HEARD ABOUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

SPEAKER MOYLE'S ANSWER WAS I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE ANYMORE.

>> AFTER MOYLE WAS SWORN IN, HE DID ADDRESS THE BODY.

HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> MY FRIENDS, I'M VERY HUMBLED TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT IN BEING SPEAKER AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO MAKE SOME STUMBLES ALONG THE WAY AND I HOPE YOU CAN BEAR WITH ME AS WE MAKE THIS TRIP TOGETHER.

I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE YOU ARE PROUD.

AND WHEN I MESS UP, I'LL TRY TO OWN IT.

BUT I ALSO NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE WE'RE A TEAM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS TOGETHER.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FUN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SO KEVIN, WITH THAT SPEECH IN MIND AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH SPEAKER MOYLE, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

>> I GUESS IT DPEBTDS ON HOW YOU DEFINE FUN.

RIGHT?

EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT DEFINITION.

I DON'T KNOW.

THE JI FACT MOVE WAS PROBABLY -- J FACT MOVE WAS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST SURPRISE THAT WE SAW IN THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

AND YOU KNOW, CLEARLY AS I SPOKE TO MOYLE WHO'S PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT THE DECISION AND THE MATH BEHIND HIS REASONING FOR GOING WITH NINE REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE AS OPPOSED TO 8 REPUBLICANS, -- [INAUDIBLE] I KNOW BETSY TALKED TO HER EARLIER IN THE WEEK S REALLY UPSET.

SO WHETHER THIS SETS A TEEN THAT WE SEE UNFOLD THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, THAT'S HARD TO SAY.

IT'S FIVE WEEKS OF MAY BE A COOLING OFF PERIOD BEFORE EVERYBODY GETS BACK TOGETHER.

>> THERE WAS ANOTHER INTERESTING SIGN IN THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS IN THOSE WHO RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR LEADERSHIP ENDED UP WITH COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS AND WITH THE MOST PROM INNOCENT EXAMPLE -- PROMINENT EXAMPLE IS JASON MONK.

AND HE RAN AGAINST MOYLE FOR SPEAKER.

THERE'S BEEN RETIE BUTION AGAINST THOSE WHO -- RETRIBUTION AGAINST THOSE WHO RAN.

AND THEY HAD TO HAVE A COOLING OFF PERIOD.

WHEN I ASKED SPEAKER MOYLE ABOUT THAT, THIS AFTERNOON, HE SAID, WELL, HE'LL DO A GOOD JOB THERE.

I'M NOT AS VINDICTIVE AS YOU THINK I AM.

[LAUGHTER] >> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, WE SAW SOME INTERESTING MOVES WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

LET'S START WITH THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE MONKINGS IS THE NEW REV AND TAX CHAIRMAN.

WE KNOW THAT IN THE PAST HE HAS BEEN VERY CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE FORMER -- OLD GUARD WHEN IT CAME TO TAX ISSUES AND WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG THINGS ON THE DOCKET CONCERNING REV AND TAX THIS YEAR.

WHAT DOES JASON BEING IN THAT POSITION MEAN FOR IDAHOANS LOOKING AT THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS?

>> IT MEANS THAT JASON MAY HAVE ALMOST AS PROMINENT ROLE IN THE PROPERTY TAX DEBATE IF HE'D BEEN ELECTED SPEAKER.

WE KNOW THAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THE DEFINING ISSUES OF THIS SESSION.

AND YOU KNOW, NULLING THE CIVICS HERE THAT THIS HAS TO BE ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

JASON MAY BE THE MOST -- MAYBE ALMOST AS IMPORTANT A PLAYER ON TAX ISSUES AS MIKE MOYLE.

>> FOR VIEWERS, ALL REVENUE AND TAXATION BILLS DO HAVE TO START ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

AND SO THE SENATE GETS WHAT COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> RIGHT.

AND INTERESTINGLY, THE LEGISLATOR WHO'S BEEN LEADING THIS EFFORT HAS BEEN A SENATOR.

SENATOR SCOTT GROW FROM EAGLE HAS BEEN MEETING WITH CITY AND COUNTY BUILDINGS AND THERE'S APPARENTLY -- CITIES AND COUNTIES AND THERE'S A DRAFT, PROPERTY TAX REFORM BILL, THAT HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BUT IT'S NEVER SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY NOR TO THE LEADERS ON EITHER SIDE PLAN ANY OPEN DISCUSSIONS OR TRYING TO GET ANY INPUT WHILE THEY'RE HAVING THE CLOSED DOOR DISCUSSIONS.

SO IF IT COMES FROM THE SENATE BUT IT'S THE HOUSE THAT HAS TO START IT, WHERE DOES THIS ALL END UP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND ON THE SENATE SIDE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT TAXATION HAS A NEW CHAIR AS WELL.

SO WE KNOW PROPERTY TAX IS GOING TO COME UP.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, IN OTHER WORDS.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

>> GOING BACK TO APPROPRIATIONS, REPRESENTATIVE WENDY HORMAN, I'VE CHOFFING -- SERVING FOR YEARS IS NOW CHAIR.

AND THOUGH THERE IS ONE FEWER DEMOCRAT, THERE'S ONLY ONE DEMOCRAT ON THE COMMITTEE NOW.

LOOKING AT THE LIST OF HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEMINGLY ALIGNED WITH EACH OTHER ON SOME OF THE MORE I GUESS MODERATE REPUBLICAN PROPOSALS THAT HAVE COME OUT OVER THE YEARS.

>> RIGHT.

THIS FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A FAIRLY MAINSTREAM APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE,% ESPECIALLY ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

WENDY HORMAN'S PROMOTION TO CHAIR IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE LEAST SURPRISING PROMOTIONS THAT WE SAW THIS PAST WEEK.

SHE'S BEEN ON JFAC FOR 10 YEARS.

SHE'S BEEN A PROMINENT MEMBER.

THIS DIDN'T SEEM TO BE TERRIBLY SURPRISING NOR IS IT TERRIBLY GOING TO CHAIR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

YOU KNOW, HE'LL OBVIOUSLY PLAY A ROLE IN THE TAX ISSUE CONTINUING ON THAT COMMITTEE ON THE SENATE SIDE.

BUT HE'S MOVING UP IN THE SENATE WHERE REALLY THERE WAS A VACUUM IN LEADERSHIP ON BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE SIDE.

THESE AREN'T TERRIBLY SHOCKING MOVES.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING THAT REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN'S LOG CLIMBED TO THIS POSITION, INCLUDED A SETBACK IN 2020 WHEN SHE RAN FOR SPEAKER AND LOST HER VICE CHAIRMANSHIP.

NOW SHE'S BACK AND SHE WILL BE THE CHAIR.

>> AND YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO HAS KNOWN HER SINCE SHE FIRST CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE, FEW PEOPLE WORK HARDER THAN SHE HAS.

SHE HAS CRAFTED THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

THAT'S A BIG LIFT FOR A LAWMAKER.

>> IT'S AMONG THE MOST COMPLICATED THINGS THAT THEY DO AND EVERYTHING JFAC DOES IS COMPLICATED.

SO HAVING SOMEBODY SO INVOLVED IN IT SHOWS THAT EDUCATION IS REALLY GOING TO GET ATTENTION AND THOSE BUDGETS ARE GOING TO GET ATTENTION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES, BECAUSE IN HOUSE EDUCATION, THEY HAVE A NEW CHAIR THIS YEAR AS WELL, REPRESENTATIVE LANCE CLOW HAS CHAIRED THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE FOR YEARS.

HE GOT MOVED TO THE HOUSE BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE JEWEL YEA IS NOW CHAIRING EDUCATION.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR SCHOOLS?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT'S SURPRISING HERE MAYBE IS THAT JULIAN IS GOING TO BE CHAIRING THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN JUST HER SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

THIS IS A CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED COMMITTEE.

SHE WAS ON THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HER FIRST TERM.

SHE IS A CAREER EDUCATOR AND ADMINISTRATOR.

SHE COMES UP THE EDUCATION AVENUE.

THIS HAS BEEN HER CAREER AND HER LIFE.

SO IT'S NOT SURPRISING IN THAT SENSE.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING% TO WATCH, THOUGH, WITH THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES WILL BE THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEES, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN AN IDEOLOGICAL SPLIT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, BUT THIS TIME AROUND YOU MAY SEE A MORE CONSERVATIVE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THAN WE SEE A HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

>> AND THAT'S NOT NORMALLY HOW THE DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT.

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S A 180, IF THAT'S THE WAY IT PLAYS OUT.

>> SO MANY OF THE PLAYERS HAS CHANGED THAT THE DYNAMIC HAS FLIPPED.

AND WHEN I SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE YOMA MOTO, I WAS STRUCK SHE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT UP OUR NEW STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD AND HER AGENDA AND -- AND VISION AND HOW THAT DOVETAILS WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SEE AND HOW SHE WOMANS THAT.

WE MAY -- WELCOMES THAT.

WE MAY SEE A STRONGER ROLE FOR OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT IN THIS ENTIRE PROCESS THAN WE HAVE THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES ARE GOING TO ALMOST CERTAINLY HASH OUT, INCLUDING WHETHER OR NOT PUBLIC DOLLARS SHOULD GO TO FUND STUDENTS GOING INTO PRIVATE EDUCATION, WHETHER YOU CALL THAT VOUCHER, SCHOOL CHOICE, WHATEVER FORM THAT TAKES.

WE KNOW THAT THIS HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

AND DID -- PREVIOUSLY IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MAYBE NOT SO MUCH NOW.

>> EXACTLY.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THAT TENSION BETWEEN THESE TWO COMMITTEESCO COME TO THE FOREFRONT.

YOU LOOK AT THE ROSTER.

THAT FEELS LIKE A COMMITTEE THAT'S STACKED WITH NEW HARD-LINE CONSERVATIVES WHO ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE VERY, FRIENDLY TO WHATEVER YOU CALL IT.

IF IT'S SCHOOL CHOICE OR VOUCHERS OR EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS A LOT HARDER TO HANDICAP LARGELY BECAUSE OF YOM MOTTA, AND MECHANIC.

IF.

-- IT NARROWLY DIED.

I THINK AN 8-7 VOTE.

YAMA MOTO AND McCANN WERE TWO OF THE MOST PROMINENT NOANTS OF THE BILL ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THEY'RE NOW THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.

SO I HAVE A LOT HARDER TIME HAPPENED CAPPING THIS HOUSE EDUCATION -- HANDICAPPING THIS HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

THERE ARE SO MANY, WE'RE TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON THE -- LAWMAKERS THAT WE KNOW ON THE COMMITTEE, IT'S NOT AS CLEAR AN IDEOLOGICAL SPLIT AS I THINK YOU MIGHT SEE UNFOLD ON THE SENATE SIDE.

>> WHAT WAS -- I WAS ALSO INTERESTED WHEN I SPOKE WITH SENATOR BUCK WIND -- CHUCK WINDER WHAT HE SAYS AS THE TOP ISSUES.

EDUCATION WAS THE FIRST THEY KNOW HE BROUGHT AND UP HE TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE OR VOUCHERS AND HOW HE BELIEVES WITH RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISIONS SOMETHING DIFFERENT MIGHT HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

HE TALKED ABOUT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION IN IDAHO TO PFUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHICH -- TO FUND PUBLISH SCHOOLS, WHICH WE HAVE TO DO WHICH THE LEGISLATURE IS REQUIRED TO DO.

BUT HOW WE HAVE SURPLUS FUNDS AND HOW THAT COULD BE TACKED FOR VOUCHER OR SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND I DON'T I THINK WE'VE HEARD THAT KIND OF FOCUS GOING INTO A SESSION BEFORE.

OWNED, WITH THE DIE NAM -- ON THE OTHER HAND, WITH THE DYNAMIC SHIFTED, WHERE DOES THAT GO INTO THE HOUSE.

>> AND THE PERSON WE HAVEN'T TALKED YET, DAVE LENT, WHO WILL CHAIR THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I DON'T THINK HE'S AS IDEOLOGICALLY -- HE ALLIANCE WITH THE HARD-LINERS WHO HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO HIS COMMITTEE QUITE AS MUCH -- YOU KNOW, AND I WONDER HOW THAT IS GOING TO PLAY OUT ON SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION, ON SCHOOL FACILITIES LEGISLATION.

LENT HAS BEEN CO-CHAIRING A WORKING GROUP AND THE STATE'S ROLE IN PLAYING FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES.

>> HE'S MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT HE HIS LEGISLATION SHOULD BE BROUGHT FOR THE TO ADDRESS FACILITIES.

AND A REPORT ON THE PLATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE CASES WHERE A CHAIR IS PUSHED IN THE DIRECTION BY THE RANKS, BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

>> WE HAVE TWO OTHER REALLY BIG FACTORS HERE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SCHOOL CHOICE CONVERSATION.

ONE IS THE SPECIAL SESSION IN WHICH 410 MILLION DOLLARS WERE SET ASIDE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH ON EDUCATION.

330 MILLION OF THAT IS FOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT SCHOOL CHOICE, WHETHER IT'S THE FORM OF VOUCHERS OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OR WHATEVER, FOR THAT POT OF HUNDRED.

-- OF MONEY.

WE KNOW THAT NATIONWIDE THERE IS GROWING MOMENTUM AND GROWING SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS.

AND I IMAGINE THAT'S GOING TO PLAY INTO THE CONVERSATION, TOO.

>> YOU KNOW, SPENDING $330 MILLION ON EDUCATION IN ONE DAY I SEPTEMBER, THAT WAS PROBABLY THE EASY PART.

NOW YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE EXACTLY YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IT, BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PRESSURE.

FOLKS WANTING TO SEE THAT PUT INTO SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM EDUCATION GROUPS THAT WE HAVE BUILDING NEEDS WE CAN'T PAY FOR.

WE HAVE DISTRICTS GOING FOR LARGE PROPERTY TAX -- FOR BOND ISSUES.

NAMPA PROCEEDS A $210 MILLION BOND ISSUE THIS WEEK.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR THE NEWLY EARMARKED EDUCATION FUN.

>> NOT JUST FACILITIES BUT LEVIES.

>> IF YOU TALK TO ANY SCHOOL -- JANITORS, CAFETERIA STAFF, BUS DRIVERS, YOU NAME IT.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.

ON THE SENATE SIDE, LEADERSHIP STAYED THE SAME.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGERS LOST HER COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP.

>> SENATOR LORI IS NO LONGER -- SHE WAS NAMED THE VICE CHAIR.

SHE WAS HAPPY WITH THIS DECISION.

SENATOR WINDER TOLD ME IT DIDN'T ANYTHING TO DO RUNNING FOR LEADERSHIP BUT HE DIDN'T SAY WHAT IT IS.

AND IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT'S RELATED.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND DON'T HIS THIS WEEK'S POD KATZ WHEN ASSOCIATE PRODUCER LOGAN FINNEY MET WITH NEW LAWMAKERS TO DISCUSSION THEIR FIRST WEEK AND THEIR PRIORITIES ROLLING INTO THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

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