>>> 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.

>>> AFTER YEARS OF WORK, THE LEGISLATURE NOW HAS NEW PUBLIC SCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS.

AND A FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PROPOSAL.

BUT WILL THE HOUSE AND SENATE FIND COMMON GROUND?

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK REPRESENTATIVE JUDE BOYLE, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN McCROSSTY, AND SENATOR JIM WOODWARD JOIN ME TO DISCUSS FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, CONTENT STANDARDS, AND OTHER EDUCATION ISSUES.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN IDAHO AND D.C. ON WEDNESDAY SENATOR JIM RISCH, RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONSSHIP, COMESSED -- DISCUSSED HIS EFFORTS TO IMPOSE INCREASED SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA IN RESPONSE TO THE COUNTRY'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

>> I SAW PLAUD THE SANCTIONS THE PRESIDENT HAS PUT IN PLACE.

THESE ARE INDEED GOOD STEPS.

BUT THE SANCTIONS HAVE NOT DETERRED PUTIN'S MILITARY AND WE BELIEVE WE MUST DO MORE.

WE MUST SANCTION ALL OF RUSSIA'S BANKS AND APPROPRIATE INDUSTRIES THAT INCLUDE SECONDARY SANCTIONS.

WE NOW MUST HELP END EUROPE'S DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIAN OIL AND GAS FOR GOOD.

THE PRESIDENT SHOULD RESCIND HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM LAST YEAR THAT SHUT DOWN OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES TO A LARGE DEGREE, AND WE CAN HELP EUROPE.

WE SUPPORT THE WEAPONS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS PROVIDED TO THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY AND I HAVE IMMEDIATELY AS RANK, MEMBER SIGNED OFF ON EVERY REQUEST TO SEND WEAPONS IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED.

PUTIN IS SHOWING HE WILL NOT BE DETERRED WITHOUT MORE ACTION BY THE WEST.

IT IS TIME WE DROP THE HAMMER AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE ECONOMY IN RUSSIA.

AND THAT WE DO MORE TO ASSIST THE UKRAINIAN DEFENSES.

THE OTHER SIDE IS COMPLAINING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BEING PARTISAN.

THAT COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOTTOM LINE, WHEN IT COMES TO THE OBJECTIVE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE UNITED.

>> THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE IS ALSO SHOWING ITS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE WITH ONE PROPOSAL TO INSTRUCT THE STATE'S RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, PERCENTI, TO DIVEST ANY RUSSIAN ASSETS.

THAT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR A COMMITTE HEARING ON MARCH 7TH.

>>> ON THURSDAY GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE ANNOUNCED A NEW INITIATIVE TO COMBAT FENTANYL TRAVELING IN IDAHO.

OPERATION ESO PER WET WERE YOUA WILL CONSIST OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT PANEL AND A CITIZENS GROUP WHICH WILL HOLD REGIONAL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> THE CITIZENS ACTION GROUP WILL MEET REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.

THEY WILL HEAR FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH FENTANYL AND METH.

THE CITIZENS ACTION GROUP WILL TAKE INPUT AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AT EACH STOP AND ENCOURAGE I'DIANS TO -- IDAHOANS TO TAKE THE TIME TO SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES WHEN THE GROUP COMES TO YOUR REGION AND YOUR STATE THE -- IN THE STATE.

AFTER THEY COMPLETE THEIR WORK, THE CITIZENS ACTION GROUP WILL PROVIDE A REPORT WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PANEL WILL IDENTIFY ACTION ITEMS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

>> GOVERNOR LITTLE SAID HE ANTICIPATED THE GROUP'S RECOMMENDATION WAS INCLUDE BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ACTION ITEMS AND THAT HIS OFFICE IS REQUESTING $250,000 FOR THE INITIATIVE.

>>> IN LEGISLATIVE NEWS, HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS PASSED TWO HIGH-PROFILE ELECTION BILLS THIS ONE.

ONE WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOXES AND THE OTHER WHICH WOULD DISALLOW SIGNED AFFIDAVITS TORE SAME-DAY VOTER WRENLSTRATION.

THE SECOND BILL WOULD BAN THE USE OF STUDENT I. K. CARDS FOR AS A VARD FORM AND WOULD ALLOW THE IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE FREE I.D.s FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE DRIVER'S LICENSES.

IF PASSED INTO LAW, BOTH BILLS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT BEFORE THIS YEAR'S MAY PRIMARY.

>> THIS LEGISLATION WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF DROP-OFF BOXES OR SIMILAR LOCATIONS TO COLLECT ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE IDENTIFY -- WE ENCOURAGE VOTER TURNOUT.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WE ALSO NEED SECURE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

AND SO THERE'S DEFINITELY A COST COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE USE OF DROP-OFF LOCATIONS.

AND THAT'S WHERE THIS LEGISLATION IDENTIFIES THAT I THINK THAT THERE'S A HIGHER -- UM, BENEFIT TO NOT HAVING THESE.

>> OUR BALLOT DROP BOXES ARE WIDELY USED.

THEY ARE VERY SECURE.

AND I THINK THAT IF WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE A SECURITY ISSUE, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE SECURITY ISSUE, NOT JUST BANNING DROP BOXES GENERALLY THE WAY THAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES.

AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING TO SEE AND DEBATE.

>> WE'LL KEEP IN SAME-DAY REGISTRATION AND UNDERSTAND THE REGISTRATION, THIS IS WHERE WE GO THROUGH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER 34408 FOR YID FIGS PURPOSES.

YOU NEED TO SHOW -- IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.

YOU NEED AN IDAHO DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDAHO IDENTIFICATION CARD, A CURRENT U.S. PASSPORT, CURRENT ACTIVE U.S. MILITARY IDENTIFICATION, OR A CURRENT TRAVEL IDENTIFICATION.

PROVISIONAL BALLOTS I HAVE REMOVED, ALTHOUGH I LIKE THEM MUCH BETTER THAN AN AFFIDAVIT.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE THE AFFIDAVIT AS WELL.

THERE IS NO POINT TO HAVE AND KEEP GOING ON WITH AN ELECTION ON ELECTION DAY.

YOU PROVIDE THE RESIDENCY AND IDENTIFICATION, CITIZENSHIP FOR A FIRST-TIME VOTER, AND IF NOT YOU JUST DON'T VOTE.

SO THAT'S IN THERE TO REMOVE AFFIDAVITS.

>> THOSE BILLS NO -- NOW GO BEFORE THE FULL HOUSE.

OF NOTE, DOROTHY -- REPRESENTATIVE DOROTHY MOON IS SPONSORING THE VOTE I.D.

BILL.

>>> ON THURSDAY THE SENATE PASSED LEGISLATION MODELED AFTER TEXAS ABORTION LAWS.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS OF A FETUS TO SUE ABORTION PROVIDERS FOR DAMAGES IF THEY PROVIDE AN AN UNUFL -- AN UFL OPINION AN UNLAWFUL ABORTION.

THAT'S AFTER A FETAL HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED BY A PHYSICIAN, WHICH IS TYPICALLY AROUND SIX WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

>> THE FATHER, MARRIED OR NOT, AS A PARTNER, EVEN IF IT'S A ONE-NIGHT STAND, GRANDPARENTS, SIBLINGS, AUNTS AND UNCLES, INTERESTINGLY, NOT PARENTS, ARE ALLOWED TO CRIMINALIZE THE DOCTOR EVEN IF IT'S AN ATTEMPT -- NO DEFINITION OF ATTEMPT -- THEY HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

THERE WAS EVEN A CONSIDERATION BUT THE ACTION DIDN'T HAPPEN?

AND YET EACH FAMILY MEMBER CAN DO -- CAN CRIMINALIZE THE DOCTOR UP TO FOUR YEARS AFTER.

>> VICTIMS OF MOST OTHER HORRIBLE IHLS OF OUR -- EVILS OF OUR DAY ARE NOT ENTIRELY DEFENSELESS AS ARE THE UNBORN.

VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR OF ABUSE OR KIDNAPPING MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ESCAPE OR FOR RECOVERY.

NOT THE UNBORN.

>> I AM ADOPTED.

AND IF IT WAS NOT FOR MY MOTHER'S DECISION NOT TO HAVE AN ABORTION I WOULD NOT BE HERE.

AND WE ARE HERE TODAY AS A BODY TOE BE THAT VOICE, TO BE THE VOICE OF THOSE THAT CANNOT SPEAK.

>> THE BILL PASSED IN A 28-6 VOTE AND NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>>> ON FRIDAY SENATOR JIM RICE INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD RAISE THE SALES TAX BUT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER PROPERTY TAXES FR MANY IDAHOANS.

THE BILL WOULD REMOVE PROPERTY TAXES FOR SOME PRIMARY RESIDENCES, EXCEPT FOR LOCAL BONDS AND LEVIES, AND INSTEAD WOULD INCREASE THE SALES TAX TO 7.85%.

>> THE BILL WOULD DO IS REMOVE ALL OF THE PROPERTY TAX OFF A PERSON'S PRIMARY RESIDENCE EXCEPT BONDS AND SCHOOL LEVIES.

SO YOUR CITY, COUNTY, HIGHWAY DISTRICT, ET CETERA, WILL BE NO LONGER TAXING PEOPLE'S PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

THE OTHER THING IS IT DOES IS IT RAISES THE GROCERY CREDIT TO $175 PER PERSON.

TO DO THAT, IT DOES -- WE RAISE THE SALES TAX BY 1.85%.

AND WE USE GENERAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 12.16 MILLION.

SO IT'S A NET TAX CUT OF 12.6 UNTIL, BUT ITS REAL VALUE IS IN WHAT IT DOES FOR HOMEOWNERS.

SALES TAX INCREASE IS USED FOR TWO THINGS.

WHINE UPON 65% IS DEDICATED TO THE LOCAL TAXING DISTRICTS TO REPLACE WHAT'S TAKING -- TAKEN OUT OF THEIR BUDGETS BY REMOVING THAT PROPERTY TAX.

BEAUTY OF THIS IS YOU'RE TAKING A NARROW TAX AND YOU'RE REPLACING IT WITH THE BROADEST POSSIBLE TAX.

SO PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIVE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO THAT COME VISIT IN OUR STATE, VACATION HERE, DRIVE THROUGH, WILL HELP PAY FOR THE SERVICES THAT THEY GET THE BENEFIT OF IN OUR STATE.

>> THE HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE INTRODUCED THE BILL FOR A POSSIBLE PUBLIC HEARING AT A LATER DATE.

>>> THE SESSION HAS BEEN HUGE FOR EDUCATION, WITH BILLS ON HEALTH INSURANCE FOR TEACHERS AND GRANTS FOR PARENTS ALREADY WINNING THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

BUT TWO MAJOR PROPOSALS ON CONTENT STANDARDS AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN ARE STILL PENDING, NOT TO MENTION THE MASSIVE APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HIGHER ED.

ON FRIDAY I SPOKE TO THREE KEY PLAYERS IN THE LEGISLATURE'S EDUCATION POLICY DISCUSSION.

REPRESENTATIVES JUDY BOYLE AND REPRESENTATIVE JOHN McCROSTIE WHO SIT ON THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, AND SENATOR JIM WOODWARD WHO SERVES ON BOTH THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND SENATE EDUCATION.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

SENATOR WOODWARD, CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON FULL-DAY CURRENT?

>> -- KINDERGARTEN?

>> THERE'S CONSENSUS.

WE WANT TO OFFER IT HERE IN IDAHO.

AND -- AND ALSO IT SHOULD BE OPTIONAL.

ONCE YOU GET PAST THAT, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS.

THE FIRST METHOD MIGHT BE JUST TO PUT THE MONEY OUT, MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGH LITERACY FUNDS.

THAT HAS SOME ADVANTAGES THAT THE LOCAL FLEXIBILITY.

DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A STATE.

THERE ARE ALSO FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN AND WORKED ON FOR SOME TIME TO JUST GO INTO THE SCHOOL FORMULA AND WHEN WE SHOW HOW MANY CLASSROOM HOURS FOR EACH GRADE OF SCHOOL, AT THAT IN AND PUT THE -- SAY WE WOULD HAVE 800 HOURS OF KINDERGARTEN HAPPENING.

STILL AT AN OPTIONAL LEVEL.

VOLUNTARY FOR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN.

AND THEN THE LATEST PROPOSAL WE'RE HEARING IS SOMETHING IN RESPONSE TO THE IDEA OF THE LITERACY FUNDING.

LITERACY FUNDS -- FUNDING GOES OUT TYPICALLY ON PERFORMANCE AND THE LOWER THE PERFORMANCE OF A DISTRICT, THEN THE MORE FUNDING THEY RECEIVE TO TRY TO BRING THEM UP TO PAR.

THE PROPOSAL I'M HEARING RIGHT NOW I'VE NOT READ YET IS A COMBINATION OF PROGRESS BEING MADE AND SO YOU'RE REWARDING FOR PROGRESS, AND THEN ALSO LOOKING AT HEAD COUNT, WHICH IS MORE IN LINE WITH OUR NORMAL STUDENT FUNDING FORMULAS IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> YOU MEAN FOR THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES, NOT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHEN I SAY VOLUNTEER, PARENTS CAN OPT INTO THE PROGRAM AND PARTICIPATE IN EITHER HALF-DAY KINDERGARTEN OR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> THERE ARE COMPETING PROPOSALS.

CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO WHAT THE LEADING PROPOSAL MIGHT BE?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF -- WHAT'S REALLY LEADING.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION THIS COMING WEEK IN SENATE EDUCATION, THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT.

AND WHAT THE DIFFERENT IDEAS ARE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BOYLE, A LOT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE STARTING ON THE SENATE SIDE.

HOW INVOLVED HAS THE HOUSE BEEN?

>> WELL, INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVEMENT IN THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE.

JOHN PROBABLY HAS AS WELL.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE -- CERTAINLY HEAR SOMEWHAT TAKES PLACE IN THE SENATE, BUT YOU KNOW, ON THE HOUSE SIDE, WE ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT FINELY COMES ACROSS FROM -- FINALLY COMES ACROSS FROM THE SENATE.

SENATOR BOIL HE A BILL LAST YEAR.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS INTEREST ON BOTH SIDES AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS POPULAR AMONG PEOPLE IN IDAHO.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT CAN WE GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> IS THIS FEAR YOU'RE NOT GOES -- IS IT -- YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET SOMETHING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

>> I KNOW PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

THE BOISE SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE OFFERING FULL-DAY REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES.

BUT I'M SURE THAT MY CONSTITUENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THAT STATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THAT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOUR THOUGHTS, REPRESENTATIVE BOYLE, ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL TO GIVE OUT EARLY LITERACY FUNDING TO THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I KNOW BETTER THAN ANYONE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SO DIFFERENT ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT FLEXIBILITY OR SHOULD IT BE UNIFORM STATEWIDE KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERY DISTRICT?

>> WELL, EVERY DISTRICT IS DIFFERENT AS YOU SAID.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF AN OPTION.

IF DISTRICTS WANT TO GO FOR FULL-TIME, THEY CAN.

IF THEY DON'T FEEL THEY CAN, OR DON'T WANT TO, THEY DON'T HAVE TO.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD FORCE THAT ON ANYONE.

>> CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, DO THEY INCLUDE THE SUPREME COURT CHALLENGE TO IDAHO'S PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE IDEA OF -- OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO PROVIDE UNIFORM PUBLIC EDUCATION ACROSS THE STATE AS REPRESENTATIVE McCROSTIE MENTIONED, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE OFFERING THIS, BUT NOT EVERYBODY IS.

>> AND DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FUNDING THEM THROUGH VARIOUS DIFFERENT WAYS.

SOME ARE -- ARE USING SUPPLEMENTAL LELIES.

-- LEVIES.

FINDING AREAS IN THEIR BUDGETS, RECEIVING GRANTS.

IN TERMS OF CONSTITUTIONALITY, AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR UNIFORM SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I THINK THAT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE PATH.

BUT I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO ANY PENDING LAWSUITS.

>> ON THE SENATE SIDE, IS THAT A CONVERSATION THAT COMES UP?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT TOPIC REALLY IN THIS KINDERGARTEN CONVERSATION.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT, ONE, I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR.

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET THAT INCLUDES THE FUNDING FOR IT.

AND SO I THINK WHATEVER SHAPE IT MAY TAKE, WHETHER IT'S POLICY BILL OR NOT, I BELIEVE WE'LL SEE FROM THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND HOPEFULLY GOING THROUGH BOTH BODIES THAT FUNDING.

AND RIGHT NOW AS PROCEEDS, IT GOES OUT -- PROPOSED, IT GOES OUT $47 MILLION IN LITERACY.

IT'S ONE PIECE OF THIS INVESTMENT WE'RE MAKING IN EDUCATION THIS YEAR THAT TOTALS TO ABOUT $300 MILLION.

ABOUT HALF OF THAT IS ONE-TIME THIS YEAR.

MOVING THE PAYING EARLIER ON THE CAREER LADDER OR MOVING UP A YEAR ON THE CAREER LADDER, BONUSES FOR TEACHERS, CLASSIFIED STAFF, AND 8 -- ADMINISTRATORS.

36 MILLION FOR THAT.

WE'RE JUST REALLY PUTTING AN EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION IN IDAHO.

I THINK IT'S GREAT.

WE'RE MAKING SOME PROGRESS.

THE OTHER BIG PIECE OF THAT 300 MILLION IS THE TEACHER HEALTHCARE COMPONENT, WHICH IS PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

THAT'S 105 MILLION DOLLARS OF ONGOING MONEY ALONG WITH $75 MILLION THAT'S REQUIRED FOR DISTRICTS TO MOVE INTO THE PROGRAM.

>> AND SINCE YOU BROUGHT UP PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING, THOSE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE JOINT FINANCE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

IN THE NEXT WEEK.

CAN YOU GIVE US A PREINTERVIEW?

>> WELL -- PREVIEW?

>> THAT'S A BIG PIECE OF IT.

THE K-12 BUDGET.

20 MEMBERS, 10 HOUSE MEMBERS AND 10 SENATE MEMBERS IN THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, PUT WE OFTENTIMES WORK OUTSIDE OF THAT WITHOUT A QUORUM IN SMALL GROUPS AND THAT'S THE PROCESS.

WHEN WE GET DONE HERE, I'LL GO BACK AND WORK ON THAT SOME MORE THIS AFTERNOON.

>> YOU WORK ON THE THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGETS THIS PAST WEEK AS WELL.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THOSE HIGHER ED BUDGETS?

>> I THINK THE REAL HIGHLIGHT IS THAT 643 MILLION DOLLARS GOING INTO HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF ASTROS AROUND IT, JUST SOME -- CONTROVERSY AROUND IT, JUST SOME DIFFERENTED WHYS.

THE PREVAILING NOTION WAS TO UTILIZE SOME STABILIZATION FUNDING AT BOISE, THE PERP BEING TO AVOID A TUITION INCREASE, TUITION AND FEES, SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

BUT I WASN'T SUPPORTIVE OF ORIGINALLY OF USING STABILIZATION FUNDS WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A STRONG -- WHEN WE'RE PERFORMING SO STRONG AS A STATE IN REVENUE.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR, THE RAINY DAY ACCOUNTS -- >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IF OUR ECONOMY ISN'T DOING WELL.

>> EXACTLY.

WE USED RAINY DAY FUNDS, 4 MILLION OUT OF 643, AND WE USED RAINY DAY FUNDS AND I THINK THE SUN IS SHINING PRETTY RIGHT BRIGHT NOW.

>> -- PRETTY BRIGHT RIGHT NOW.

>> THE BUDGETS IN THE HOUSE THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE REPEATS OF THOSE DEBATES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WHEN THE BUDGETS COME UP THIS YEAR, REPRESENTATIVE BOYLE?

>> VERY POSSIBLE.

IF THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED AT ALL.

>> WHEN YOU THINGS ABOUT THINGS NOT CHANGING.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE BSU HAS CHANGED ANYTHING.

>> AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AND -- >> UH-HUH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I'D LOVE TO GET YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> SO YOU KNOW, I GUESS PART OF WHAT I WOULD SAY IS I -- LIKE LITERALLY BEFORE WE CAME WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, REPRESENTATIVE EHARDT AND I PASSED A CAMPUS FREE SPEECH BILL.

THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE SOLVED A NUMBER -- WE INVOLVED A LOT OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS AND BOISE STATE WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THAT IN ENSURING THAT STUDENTS ON CAMPUS HAVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL FREE SPEECH RIGHTS PROTECTED AS ENSHRINED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION.

I THINK BSU HAS BEEN A FAIR PLAYER IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

SO I WOULD HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME GOODWILL AT MINIMUM FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS PROCESS.

WITH US.

>> DOES THAT SWAY YOUR VOTE AT ALL KNOWING THAT BSU HAS COME TO THE TABLE AND HAS TRIED TO WORK WITH LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS THOSE KENS?

>> WELL, COMING TO THE TABLE AND PERFORMING ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> WE'LL SEE.

YOU KNOW, THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE -- WHAT STUDENTS ARE BEING TAUGHT AND WHAT THEY'RE EXPOSED TO IN THE REAL WORLD CAME UP IN THE TESTIMONY OVER CONTENT STANDARDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS WEEK.

CAN YOU GIVE US A RUNDOWN OF WHAT THE CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR?

>> SO THIS IS A CONVERSATION ON -- THESE CONTENT STANDARDS THAT WE'VE HAD FOR SIX OR SEVEN YEARS.

AND PART OF IT GOES BACK TO CONCERNS SURROUNDS PENDANT SURROUNDING COMMON CORE OR -- SURROUNDING COMMON CORE OR THAT THIS IS -- SOMETHING THAT IS SO UNIVERSAL THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PUSH IDEAS THAT COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.

THERE ARE CONCERNS AROUND COMMON CORE TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> BUT THE IDEA IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHETHER YOU'RE GETTING YOUR EDUCATION IN IDAHO OR WASHINGTON OR FLORIDA, THAT YOU HAVE THAT SIMILAR BASELINE, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

THAT THERE IS A SIMILAR BASELINE THAT STUDENTS CAN DRAW FROM IF THEY END UP MOVING FROM IDAHO TO OREGON, TO WASHINGTON, OR WHEREVER THEY HAPPEN TO BE.

IN IDAHO, WE -- WE HAVE NOT HAD COMMON CORE WITH AN ARGUMENT BEING, WELL, A LOT OF WHAT YOU HAVE IS -- LOOKS LIKE COMMON CORE, SO AS WE HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS OVER A YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR -- >> IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HONED AND REFINED AND BROUGHT WORK GROUPS TOGETHER AND REACHED OUT TO STAKEHOLDERS.

PERSONALLY I FEEL LIKE THE BILL -- COUPLE OF BILLS THAT WE HAVE PASSED WILL SOLIDIFY THE CONTENT STANDARDS SO THAT OUR TEACHERS CAN -- AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN ESTABLISH THE CURRICULUM THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION, RATHER THAN HAVING THIS IN THE SEVEN-YEAR FLUX.

>> WERE THE CHANGES REALLY THAT DRAMATIC, THAT WE'RE -- THAT WERE PROPOSED THIS WEEK?

>> I THINK SOME OF THEM WERE.

FOR A A COUPLE OF YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN TEACHERS, FORMER TEACHERS, PARENTS JUST LIKE DONE SAID.

THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WHAT THEY'D LIKE TO SEE, ESPECIALLY IN MATH.

>> WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> I THINK THAT WHAT -- WORK GROUPS ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT THE STANDARDS THAT THEY HAVE FINALIZED -- I WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED ONE FOR MAYBE LIKE THREE YEARS AGO.

BUT I HAVE AGREED TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS A -- IT'S AN IMPORTANT LINE IN THE SAND THAT FROM HERE WE CAN GO FORWARD AND EVERYBODY HAS A SET OF STANDARDS THAT THEY CAN RELY ON.

INSTEAD OF BEING IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF FLUX.

>> SENATORS, SO MUCH OF THIS CONVERSATION HAS HAPPENED ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

IS THE SENATE GOING TO CONCUR WITH THESE PROPOSED CHANGES?

>> I THINK AS LONG AS THEY'RE REASONABLE, THEN EVERYBODY WILL BE READY TO GET ON BOARD WITH THE IDEA OF CONTENT STANDARDS, WHICH WE HAVE, AND THEN WE WANT TO HAVE IN PLACE, AND SO WE NEED TO PUT -- GET THOSE APPROVED AND THEN MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD.

HOPEFULLY WE'VE TAKEN OUT SOME OF THE FLASH POINTS THAT CAUSE PEOPLE CONSTERNATION.

>> WHAT WERE THOSE FLASH POINTS?

>> TYPICALLY REVOLVES AROUND THE WORDING THAT -- CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO SOME -- THAT'S A NATIONAL DISCUSSION AND SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE AFFECTING THE EARTH, OTHERS DON'T.

I -- >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP WHILE WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS IN COMMITTEE YESTERDAY WAS WHETHER WE CALL IT CLIMATE AVAILABILITY OR CLIMATE -- CLAREMONT CLIMATE VARIABILITY OR CLIMATE CHANGE, IT'S NOT THE WORD THAT YOU ATTACH TO IT.

IT IS THE STANDARDS AND THE INFORMATION THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO BE TAUGHT ON WHATEVER NAME THAT YOU ATTACH TO THIS ISSUE.

>> A LOT OF THE PROBLEM IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, NOT THIS YEAR BUT IN PREVIOUS TIME, THE THINGS THAT WE SAW WERE TEACHING THAT ANYTHING THAT MAN TOUCHED WAS BAD.

MININ, LOGGING, IRIGATION.

YOU KNOW -- IRRIGATION.

IT WAS VERY ONE-SIDED AND THAT'S WHY THE HOUSE MEMBERS GOT ALL FUZZED UP OVER IT.

>> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT WE DO WANT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

AND THAT WE DON'T WANT TEACHERS TO IMPOSE VIEWPOINTS AND WE DON'T WANT STANDARDS TO IMPOSE VIEWPOINTS MORE THAN ANYTHING.

AND SO TO PROVIDE A STANDARD THAT IS NEUTRAL WITH REGARD TO ITS CONTENT, AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR STUDENTS LEARN THAT, I THINK -- IT'S BEEN A GOOD LESSON.

AND AGAIN, I HOPE IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND AND GO FORWARD WITH.

>> DOES THAT NEUTRALITY STILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF SCIENTISTS WILL SAY THAT WHETHER YOU CALL IT CLIMATE VARIABILITY OR CLIMATE CHANGE, THAT HUMANS HAVE AN IMPACT ON LONG-TERM CLIMATE?

>> I -- MY READ OF THE STANDARDS STILL ACKNOWLEDGES THE MAN-MADE ASPECT AS WELL AS WHAT MAN CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> WHICH ISN'T MUCH.

[LAUGHTER] >> FOR OUR FULL CONVERSATION INCLUDING A RUNDOWN OF A DYSLEXIA EDUCATION BILL SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BOYLE, VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

AND FOR MORE OF OUR COVERAGE, CHECK OUT "IDAHO REPORTS" ONLINE AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S "IDAHO REPORTS" PODCAST.

THIS WEEK GOVERNORS ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE IDAHO PRESS CLUB ABOUT THE ONGOING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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.