>> 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.

>> THEY DO NOT NEED OVERTIME WASTE ORDER A BILL THAT SPEAKS TO THIS!

ARE YOU HEARING ME!

>> WE BROUGHT THIS COMPLAINT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXISTED LONG BEFORE WE ARRIVED.

AND IT WILL BE HERE LONG AFTER WE LEAVE.

BUT HISTORY WILL JUDGE US BY THE ACTIONS TODAY.

>> ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT LED TO A CONTENTIOUS ETHICS HEARING AND THE RESIGNATION OF A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER.

TONIGHT WE DISCUSS THE FALLOUT.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN, "IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS, BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS AND RUTH BROWN OF IDAHO REPORTS JOIN US TO DISCUSS THIS WEEK'S ETHICS HEARING AND RESIGNATION OF REPRESENTATIVE AARON VON ELLING.

FIRST THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE KICKED OFF THE WEEK BY CONSIDERING A HOUSE BILL THAT WOULD BAN SOCIAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM OR ANY PROGRAMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE STUDENTS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE BELIEF THAT ONE RACE, SEX, OR ETHNICITY IS SUPERIOR OR INFERIOR TO ANOTHER.

THE BILL WAS RESULT OF CONCERN OVER CRITICAL RACE THEORY DISCUSSIONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

CRITICS OF THE BILL SAID THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE IN IDAHO, NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> WE CANNOT COMPEL STUDENTS THESE DAYS TO DO ANYTHING.

WE CAN'T COMPEL THEM TO PUT THEIR PHONES AWAY.

WE CAN'T COMPEL THEM TO QUIT TALKING WHILE THE TEACHER IS TALKING.

WE CANNOT COMPEL THEM TO STUDY FOR TESTS.

WE CANNOT COMPEL THEM TO SHOW UP FOR SCHOOL.

WE CANNOT COMPEL THEM TO DO ANYTHING.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT WE CAN COMPEL THEM TO BELIEVE SOMETHING?

>> IT'S HARD FOR MY STUDENTS, MY KIDS, AND I'M FLUMMOXEDED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO STAND BEFORE YOU NOW AND ASK YOU NOT TO SANCTION SCHOOLS BASED ON MISINFORMATION, FALSE NARRATIVES AND THE TRAGIC MISUNDERSTANDING OF HOW SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS TEACH IN GENERAL.

BUT MOSTLY I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS MOMENT OF HOW I WOULD TEACH MY KIDS.

AS PERENNIAL TEACHER I THINK ABOUT THE LESSON IN LIFE.

CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING.

THE NEW SECTION OF THIS BILL TITLED DIG 70 NONDISCRIMINATION, WHICH NO ONE WOULD DISAGREE WITH THOSE 10 SETS YOUR CLAIM, IT CITES THE POTENTIAL USE OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND THE DANGERS OF SECTARIANISM IN SCHOOL.

THE REASONING CONNECTS YOUR EVIDENCE TO YOUR CLAIM.

AND I FEEL LIKE WHAT WE'RE MISSING HERE CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE IS THE EVIDENCE.

FROM THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS BILL, WE'VE HEARD SOME ANECDOTAL REPORTS AND STATEMENTS OF HEAR SAY, SCHOOL BOARDS, THOUGH, HAVE NOT COME TO YOU WITH HELP OVER THIS PROBLEM.

OUR STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS NOT REPORTED THAT THEY'VE RECEIVED NOT EVEN ONE COMPLAINT.

>> THE COMMITTEE ULTIMATELY ADVANCED THE LEGISLATION, AND THE SENATE PASSED IT LATER THAT DAY.

ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, GOVERNOR LITTLE SIGNED THE BILL, PROMMING THE HOUSE TO PASS THREE EDUCATION BUDGETS ON THURSDAY.

WE'LL HAVE MORE WITH KEVIN RICHERT LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> BUT THAT NEWS WAS ECLIPSED THIS WEEK BY A TUMULTUOUS HOUSE ETHICS HEARING ON WHETHER REPRESENTATIVE AARON VON ELLINGER ACTED IN A WAY UNBECOMING OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AFTER ACCUSATONS HE RAPED A 19-YEAR-OL HOUSE INTERN AND ASKED OTHER WOMEN WHO WORK AT THE STATE HOUSE OUT ON DATES.

THE HEARING WAS NOT A CRIMINAL TRIAL, THOUGH THE BOISE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE ALLEGATIONS.

VON EHLINGER SAID HE AND THE INTERN DID HAVE A SEXUAL ENCOUNTER, BUT MAINTAINED IT WAS CONSENSUAL, AND HE BROKE NO RULES IN PURSUING DATES WITH WOMEN WHO WORK AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'VE CHOSEN NOT AIR THE MOST GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING COMMENTS FROM THE HEARING, BUT WE WANT TO WARN VIEWERS THAT SOME REMARKS MAY STILL BE UPSETTING FOR SOME.

>> WE BROUGHT THIS COMPLAINT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

NOT ONLY OF THOSE WHO SERVE HERE TODAY, BUT ALSO OF EVERY PERSON WHO HAS EVER BEEN ELECTED OR WILL BE ELECTED TO THE IDAHO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS LEGISLATOR ARE TO NAMELY REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENTS OF MY DISTRICT, AND MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS AS FAR AS VOTING, IMPLEMENTING POLICY, ELIMINATING POLICY, AS I POSSIBLY CAN AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

>> DO YOU TBLEEF LEGISLATORS ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC?

>> YES.

>> WHAT IS THAT STANDARD?

>> WELL, THAT REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN FOLLOWING THE LAW, AND THAT -- UM -- THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVES JUST HAVE A DUTY TO DO THE BEST JOB THEY CAN FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

AND THEY'RE HELD TO THE STANDARD THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS PUT UPON THEM.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LEGISLATORS TO NOT BE OUT THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF BEING A REPRESENTATIVE AND BEING EXTRA POLITE AND COURTEOUS, TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

JUST THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES.

>> TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, HAVE YOU VIOLATED ANY WRITTEN OR PROPERLY CODIFIED OR ENACTED RULES, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, OR LAWS RELATING TO THE ALLEGATIONS WHICH HAVE BROUGHT US HERE TODAY?

>> NO, I ABSOLUTELY HAVE NOT.

>> DID YOU TELL REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER THAT THE SEXUAL CONTACT WAS UNWANTED?

>> YES.

>> DID YOU TELL HIM YOU DID NOT WANT TO DO THE THINGS HE WAS GOING TO DO?

>> YES.

>> DID YOU TELL HIM TO STOP?

>> I SAID NO.

NO WAS ENOUGH.

>> DID YOU SAY OTHER THINGS THAT INDICATED NO?

>> MULTIPLE.

MULTIPLE DIFFERENT REITERATIONS.

I EVEN TRIED TO CONVINCE HIM TO NOT.

>> THE LOBBYIST TEXTED ME EARLY THAT MORNING AND WANTED TO MEET AS SOON AS I COULD WHEN I CAME IN.

SO WE MET IN MY OFFICE.

SHE RELATED TO ME TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS, THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS -- IT WAS AFTER THE SESSION WAS OVER IN THE EVENING AND THERE WAS A GET-TOGETHER, AND SHE WAS THERE WITH SEVERAL OTHERS AND REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER, AND SHE WENT TO THE BATHROOM, APPARENTLY, AND HE FOLLOWED HER TO THE BATHROOM.

AND WAITED FOR HER TO COME BACK OUT AND SUGGESTED THEY COULD SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHER.

>> DID SHE TELL YOU HOW THAT MADE HER FEEL?

>> SHE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> AFTER TESTIMONY, THE ETHICS COMMITTEE ADJOURNED FOR THE DAY, RECONVENING THURSDAY MORNING TO DELIBERATE.

THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECOMMEND CENSURING REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER WITHOUT PAY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, AND ALSO SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT EXPULSION.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVE, AN ELECTED STATE REPRESENTATIVE, ENGAGED IN A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A STUDENT INTERN.

THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM CAN DETERMINE IF RAPE OCCURRED, BUT I HOLD NO DOUBT THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP WAS INAPPROPRIATE.

I'M NOT PERSUADED BY THE AD NAUSEAM REPETITION OF WHETHER A SPECIFIC POLICY EXISTS.

COMMON SENSE AND BASIC MORALITY DICTATES THAT AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD NOT ENTERTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A STUDENT INTERN, REGARDLESS OF WHO INITIATED THE RELATIONSHIP.

>> THROUGH HOURS OF INTERVIEWS AND INVESTIGATION INTO THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINTS, THE COMMITTEE HAS ESTABLISHED THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS A PATTERN OF DATING, ATTEMPTED DATING, AND SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUBORDINATES IN THE CAPITOL.

AND CONCERNED SERIOUSNESS FROM A LOBBYIST THAT SHE SPOKE WITH A MEMBER OF HOUSE LEADERSHIP ABOUT IT.

THE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE WAS, QUOTE -- I WILL ADMIT I DON'T DATE A LOT.

AND WHEN I DO, I TRY TO MAKE SURE IT'S SOMEONE I HAVE A CONNECTION WITH.

I'M NOT A PERSON THAT GOES OUT ON A DATE EVERY WEEK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

YET WE HAVE TWO WITNESSES BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE THAT TESTIFIED UNDER OATH THAT IN EARLY MARCH, AFTER A HANDFUL OF INCONSEQUENTIAL OR NONSUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATIONS, HE INITIATED TWO DATES WITH WOMEN HE HAD ONLY RECENTLY MET, WHICH LED TO SEXUAL ACTIVITY.

>> THE OTHER QUESTION, WAS THIS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, OR WAS THERE A PREDATORY PATTERN?

THERE WAS INDEED A PREDATORY PATTERN THAT WAS ESTABLISHED.

IN THE SPECIAL SESSION OF AUGUST 20th, REPRESENTATIVE WAS WARNED TO BE CAREFUL.

SO I MEAN, THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER SPEAKING F THAT'S THE WAY YOU WANT IT, I'LL NEVER BOTHER YOU AGAIN.

YEAH, I HOPE YOU'LL RECONSIDER, AND AT SOME TIME AND CONSIDER GIVING ME ANOTHER CHANCE.

THIS IS AFTER HE HAD TESTIFIED VERY CLEARLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT HE TOLD THE COMMITTEE HE HAD NO INTENT OF DATING THIS PERSON, THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN ISOLATED EVENT, HE FOUND SOME THINGS OUT, BUT YET WE HAVE CONTRARY EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.

THAT WAS A DIRECT MISSTATEMENT IN MY WORLD VIEW THAT'S A LIE.

>> LATER THAT DAY, VON EHLINGER RESIGNED, MAINTAINING HE DID NOTHING WRONG AND BROKE NO HOUSE RULES.

IF YOU NEED ADVICE OR RESOURCES CONCERNING SEXUAL ASSAULT, YOU CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AVAILABLE 24/7, AT 1-800-656-4673.

JOINING US TODAY FOR THE PUNDITS WE HAVE KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS, BFER OF THE IDAHO PRESS, AND RUTH BROWN, PRODUCER OF "IDAHO REPORTS."

RUTH, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

YOU WERE IN THE LINCOLN AUDITORIUM FOR BOTH DAYS OF THE HEARINGS.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THE MOOD IN THE ROOM?

>> YEAH.

IT WAS TENSE THE WHOLE DAY.

I WOULD SAY THERE WERE LAWMAKERS PRESENT WHO WERE TAKING IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND WERE VERY CONCERNED, THERE WERE OTHER LAWMAKERS WHO I THINK LARGELY BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT VON EHLINGER, AND DON'T BELIEVE THE ACCUSATIONS, THAT ARE BEING MADE, THERE WERE -- THEY WERE LAUGHING IN THE ROOM, AND THERE WERE AUDIBLE SIGHS AS THE DEFENSE SPOKE, OR COMMITTEE CHAIRS SPOKE.

BUT I DO THINK THE ROOM WAS RELATIVELY TENSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VICTIM TESTIFIED.

>> BETSY, THE COMMITTEE ITSELF MADE UP OF FIVE MEMBERS, TWO DEMOCRATS, THREE REPUBLICANS, THEY TOOK THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AS WE HEARD IN THEIR REMARKS EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

>> THEY SURE DID.

THEY WERE UNANIMOUS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY NOTABLE THAT LEGISLATORS FROM ALL DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, HOUSE MEMBERS FROM ALL DIFFERENT PARTS AND -- WERE SO UNITED AND UNANIMOUS ON THIS POINT, AND THAT THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP UNANIMOUSLY BROUGHT THE COMPLAINT TO THE COMMITTEE.

I THINK THAT THE OUTCOME OF THIS PROCESS SHOWED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE IDAHO HOUSE REALLY CONDEMNS IN CONDUCT AND THOUGHT SOMEBODY HORRIBLE THAPPED WAS WAY OUTSIDE THE PALE.

AND THAT HAS REALLY CAST THOSE FEW LEGISLATORS WHO WERE STILL SUPPORTING THIS REPRESENTATIVE, NOW FORMER REPRESENTATIVE, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE'S THEIR POLITICAL ALLY, WAY OUT ON A LIMB.

>> I THINK THAT TONE WAS SET EARLY BY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, AND ALSO BY BRENT CRANE ON THE COMMITTEE.

HERE YOU ARE TALKING TO TWO STAUNCH CONSERVATIVES, WHO I THINK WERE PROBABLY THE MOST FORCEFUL AND THE MOST AGGRESSIVE IN PUSHING BACK AGAINST VON EHLINGER'S ATTORNEY AND REALLY TRYING TO KEEP THIS A HEARING ON ETHICS.

IT WAS VERY CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING WATCHING THOSE TWO COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND IN PARTICULAR -- ALL FIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IDEOLOGY WAS CHECKED AT THE DOOR.

AS IT SHOULD BE IN A CASE LIKE THIS.

>> RUTH, DO WE KNOW YET -- OF COURSE REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER RESIGNED BEFORE THE HOUSE AS WHOLE COULD TAKE IT UP.

DO WE KNOW IF THE COMMITTEE HAD THE VOTES TO EXPEL VON EHLINGER?

>> WE DON'T.

THEY RECOMMENDED OF COURSE THAT THEY CENSURE HIM AND SUSPEND HIM EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, BUT WITHIN THREE HOURS HE RESIGNED.

SO WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD HAVE MADE IT, I DON'T KNOW.

I DO THINK THE CHAIRMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE CRANE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF KEEPING THE SUBJECT MATTER TO ETHICS.

AND THAT THIS WAS NOT A CRIMINAL TRIAL, AND SO I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO PROTECT THE VICTIM IN A SENSE, BUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS EFFECTIVE, I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE HOUSE TO EXPULL REPRESENTATIVE VON EHLINGER.

BUT IT WOULD ONLY HAVE TAKEN A MAJORITY OF VOTE TO CENSURE HIM.

AND THE CENSURE MOTION THAT PASSED THE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY INCLUDED CONDITONS, INCLUDING BASICALLY EJECTING HIM FROM THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS TERM WITHOUT PAY, AND WITH A SUBSTITUTE TO BE APPOINTED TO REPRESENT HIS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, AND WITH HIM VACATING HIS CAPITOL OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

SO I THINK EVEN IF THERE WERE NOT TWO-THIRDS SUPPORT FOR EXPULSION, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY EXPELLED IF ONLY A MAJORITY SUPPORTED THAT.

AND BASED ON THE FACTS THAT CAME OUT, THE REALLY TROUBLING INFORMATION THAT CAME OUT DURING THIS HEARING, I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO MUSTER THAT.

>> I THINK WHAT CAME THROUGH VERY QUICKLY IN THE HEARING WAS THAT THIS IS A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR.

AND I THINK THAT REALLY RESONATED WITH THE MEBTS OF THE COMMITTEE.

AND IF IT HAD COME TO A HOUSE VOTE I THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN PERSUASIVE TO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AS WELL.

>> OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SO MANY SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT CAME OUT DURING THE TESTIMONY.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO LESS OF A SERIOUS CONCERN, BUT STILL SOMETHING AT PLAY HERE.

HOW MIGHT THIS WORSEN THE DIVIDE WITHIN THE GOP CAUCUS?

>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING AND OPEN QUESTION.

THIS IS A -- WE'RE IN THE 110th DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TODAY WE GO INTO 113th ON MONDAY.

TENSIONS ARE ALREADY HIGH.

TEMPERS ARE ALREADY SHORT.

HOW THIS FACTORS INTO THAT MIX, IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY, BUT IT CAN'T MAKE THINGS MUCH EASIER.

>> I THINK THAT THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS HAS BEEN VERY DIVIDED FOR SOME TIME.

AND THOSE DIVISIONS HAVE ONLY GROWN THIS YEAR, AND WE HAVE SEEN KIND OF THE DISSONANT GROUP THAT VOTES AGAINST ALL BUDGETS FOR THE MOST PART, THINGS LIKE THAT, GROW AND HAVE MORE INFLUENCE TO THE POINT IT CAN SOMETIMES SWAY VOTES ON THE FLOOR.

AND I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN THOSE NUMBERS KIND OF GROW, AND DROP, AND GROW, AND GROUPON DROP, I CAN'T -- GROW AND DROP, I CAN'T HELP IF THIS INCIDENT, BASICALLY THE LITMUS TEST TO GET INTO THE DISDANTE GROUP IS YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE SLOLG'S BEHAVIOR WILL CAUSE THOSE PNEUMONIAS DROP.

>> I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTE THAT THE DEFENSE, WHEN THEY CALL WITNESSES, ALMOST ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS THEY CALLED FORWARD TO TESTIFY WERE MEMBERS THAT ARE A PART OF THAT GROUP THAT BETSY IS REFERRING TO.

>> BETSY, DO YOU THINK THAT ONE OF THE RESULTS MUCH THIS VERY PAIN -- OF THIS VERY PAINFUL, VERY PUBLIC ETHICS HEARING MIGHT BE A SHIFT IN THE CULTURE AT THE IDAHO STATE HOUSE?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE STATED INTENTION OF THE LEADERSHIP.

THE CULTURE OF THE IDAHO STATE HOUSE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO INCLUDE ELECTED OFFICIALS HITTING ON EVERY WOMAN IN THE BUILDING, YOUNG PEOPLE, EMPLOYEES, STAFF, AND SO ON.

THAT HAS NEVER BEEN WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PART OF THE ACCEPTED CULTURE THERE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE SALON'S DEFENSE WAS, THERE'S NO RULE I CAN'T DATE ANYONE I WANT.

I THOPT REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN HAD A PERTINENT COMMENT ABOUT THAT IN THE SECOND DAY OF THE HEARING WHEN SHE SAID THERE'S NO HOUSE RULE AGAINST POISONING ANOTHER PERSON.

BUT THIS HAS POISONED ALL OF OUR REPUTATIONS.

>> I THINK -- I GUESS I'M THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THE INCIDENTS THAT WERE NOTED ABOUT SALON'S PURSUIT OF OTHER WOMEN THERE.

ARE SO MUCH LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEONS AND AFTER-HOUR SOCIALS AT WHICH PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL, WINING AND DINING IS A NORMAL PART OF THIS LEGISLATIVE CULTURE.

AND THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT HAVING ACCESS TO THOSE LAWMAKERS THAT PUTS SOME PEOPLE AT A DISADVANTAGE IF THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE DRINKING, IF THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WINING AND DINING WITH LOBBYISTS, IF THEY CAN'T BE OUT AFTER HOURS BECAUSE THEY HAVE YOUNG FAMILIES.

DO YOU SEE THAT DYNAMIC CHANGING ANY TIME SOON, KEVIN?

>> I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW THAT CULTURE HAS ALREADY BEEN CHANGED JUST BY THE VIRTUE OF THE PANDEMIC, JUST BY THE REALITIES OF A PANDEMIC THAT HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE ALL BEHAVE AND INTERACT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION BUDGETS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE GOING HOME ISSUES THAT WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON.

THREE OF THOSE BUDGETS PASSED THUSHESZ AFTER VERNONIA'S RESIGNATION, THAT NEWS WAS ECLIPSED BY HOW SERIOUS THE ETHICS HEARING WAS.

BUT IT IS A BIG MOMENT, FINALLY PASSING THE HOUSE FLOOR.

KEVIN, WHAT'S LEFT TO DO?

>> WHAT YOU SAW ON THURSDAY WAS THE UNDERCARD.

THESE WERE THREE -- THEY'RE LARGE BUDGETS, PART OF THE K-12 BUDGET, THAT'S TAKING COLLECTIVELY THE BIGGEST BUDGET OF THEM ALL.

BUT THESE WERE FAIRLY NONCONTROVERSIAL BUDGETS.

THE SHOWDOWN IS STILL GOING TO BE THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET, AND IT'S STILL IMPOSSIBLE TO HANDICAP WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

WHEN SPONSORS PRESENT TO HIGHER ED BUDGET IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND PRESUMABLY THEY'RE GOING TO PRESENT A BUDGET AND WANT IT TO PASS, UNLIKE THE FIRST BUDGET WHEN THE SPONSORS SAID KILL THIS BUDGET, LET US START OVER AGAIN, IT'S A HARD ROAD TO HOE TO GET 36 YES VOTES ON THIS BUDGET, BECAUSE THE FOUR DEMOCRATS IN JFAC VOTED AGAINST THIS BUDGET IN COMMITTEE, SO IF THE 12 DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE VOTE AGAINST IT, THAT'S 12 VOTES.

NOW YOU'VE GOT TO GET 36 VOTES OUT OF THAT REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, AND THIS DISSONANT, THIS HARD LINE GROUP WITHIN THE GOP THAT IS PROBABLY WANTING MUCH DEEPER CUTS IN THIS BUDGET THAT ARE GOING TO -- UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIM THIS IS A $20 MILLION SOCIAL JUSTICE RAP TUESDAY THAT'S BEING FUNDED IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, IF THE HARD LINERS VOTE NO, THE 12 DEMOCRATS VOTE NO, IT'S REALLY TOUGH TO GET 36 YES VOTES IN THE HOUSE.

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN DISCOUNT THE IMPACT OF HOUSE BILL 377.

AND THAT'S THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED AFTER MANY, MANY ITERATIONS ON POLICY IN EDUCATION REGARDING CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND SO FORTH.

NOT ONLY IN THE K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN IDAHO, BUT ALSO ON ALL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.

THAT BILL HAS PASSED AND BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR IN REALLY REMARKABLE BRING QUICK TIME.

WHICH CERTAINLY DESIGNS TO PATH THE WAY FOR BOTH BUDGETS.

THE HIGHER ED BUDGET INCLUDES A $2.5 MILLION CUT TO WHAT IS IDENTIFIED AS SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS.

AND THE GOVERNOR IN HIS MESSAGE ABOUT WHY HE SIGNED HOUSE BILL 377, EXPRESSED GREAT CONCERN THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING ON ON OUR CAMPUSES.

BUT I THINK WE'RE HEARING QUITE A BIT OF TALK FROM MORE MODERATE LEGISLATORS SAYING WE NEED TO PASS OUR EDUCATION BUDGETS, FUND THE SCHOOLS, FUND THE UNIVERSITIES, THAT'S OUR JOB AS LEGISLATORS, AND IF THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO GET IT THROUGH, WE'LL DO IT.

SO THEY'VE DONE IT F. THEY CAN'T PASS THEM KNEW, I GUESS THEY NEVER LEAVE.

THEY JUST KEEP ARGUING ALL SUMMER.

>> IF THEY DO THAT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

WE SAW REPORTS THIS WEEK FROM BOTH KEITH RIDDLER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, CLARK CORBIN OF THE IDAHO CAPITOL SUN, THAT THERE'S A CHANCE THAT STATE AGENCIES WON'T BE ABLE TO START PAYING OR KEEP PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES IF THEY CAN'T GET A BUDGET TOGETHER.

>> IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN, AND IT'S ALREADY A CONCERN NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE REST OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT COMES DOWN TO TIMING, IT COMES DOWN TO THE CONSTITUTION THAT IN EFFECT -- LAWS DON'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL 60 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GUESS WHAT?

COME NEXT WEEK, WE ARE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE NEW BUDGET YEAR.

SO THERE'S THE QUESTION, SO WILL THESE BUDGET GOSS INTO EFFECT JULY 1st?

WILL AGENCIES BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES?

AND POTENTIALLY DOES THAT HAVE ON THE GROUND IMPACTS?

CLARK CORBIN'S STORY FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK SAID THIS COULD AFFECT FIRST RESPONDERS.

IT COULD AFFECT WHETHER STATE TROOPERS CAN BE OUT ON PATROL.

THOSE ARE ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES THAT PEOPLE WOULD NOTICE IF THEY WERE NOT -- IF THEY WERE NOT IN FORCE.

>> FULL DISCLOSURE, IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS A STATE AGENCY.

BE BETSY, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT OTHER POTENTIAL GOING HOME ISSUES.

WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN A TRANSPORTATION BILL PASS, BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT SOME OF THESE OTHER GOING HOME ISSUES?

>> BOTH THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL AND THE BIG INCOME TAX CUT BILL ARE ON THE SENATE'S CALENDAR, BUT HAVE BEEN HELD WITH THESE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON ABOUT THE BUDGET.

BUT WHAT ABOUT PROPERTY TAX GOING INTO THIS SESSION, WE HEARD THAT WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR MANY LEGISLATORS, FOR CITIZENS, FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT BILL HASN'T EVEN BEEN INTRODUCED.

AND FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, IT WILL BE INTRODUCED POSSIBLY EARLY THIS NEXT WEEK.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ELEMENTS OF SENATE BILL 1108 WHICH WAS KILLED NARROWLY IN THE SENATE TO PUT SOME LIMITS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT MATTERS.

AND IT WILL BE APPARENTLY HANDLED VERY QUICKLY AT THE LAST MINUTE.

IF THE LAST MINUTE IS COMING.

>> ALSO UNRESOLVED IS THE DEBATE OVER EMERGENCY POWERS.

AND YOU HAVE THE SENATE IS STILL POISED TO TAKE UP A VOLT ON A VETO OVERRIDE THAT THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY EXECUTED.

THAT VOTE HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, REALLY ALL THIS WEEK, IT COULD COME UP ON MONDAY, THAT'S ANOTHER BIG UNRESOLVED ISSUE.

>> AND ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, AS YOU SAID, WE STILL HAVE THESE LINGERING THOUGHTS ABOUT THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS IF THEY DO FAIL TO OVERRIDE THE VETO.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT TRYING TO CURB GOVERNOR LITTE AND FUTURE GOVERNORS' POWERS IN STATES OF EMERGENCY?

>> JASON MONKS IS ONE LEGISLATOR SAYING THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE HE WANTS TO SEE RESOLVED BEFORE THE SESSION ADJOURNS.

>> WE HEARD THE SAME THING TODAY FROM SENATOR CHUCK WINDER.

I WOULD ANTICIPATE THERE WOULD BE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, BUT THUS FAR THAT HASN'T HAPPENED THE ENTIRE SESSION.

>> RUTH, EARLIER THIS WEEK WE ALSO SAW, WHILE THEY'RE PASSING EDUCATION BUDGETS, THE HOUSE ALSO KILLED A $40 MILLION ARPA FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE FUNDED COVID TESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND IT WASN'T NECESSARILY A CLOSE VOTE.

HOW DO YOU READ THAT AS FAR AS HOW THE HOUSE MIGHT APPROACH FUTURE ARPA APPROPRIATIONS THAT COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, TIME WILL TELL WITH THAT.

THERE WAS A LOT MUCH DISCUSSION OVER THAT BILL REGARDING THE COVID TESTING IS WHAT WOULD KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, AND OBVIOUSLY THAT'S BEEN MAJOR CONCERN FOR A LOT OF THE LAWMAKERS IS HOW DO WE KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL.

AND THEORETICALLY TESTING COULD HAVE BEEN AN OPTION FOR THAT.

BUT AS FAR AS I GUESS THE TAKE ON HOW THEY'LL APPROACH OTHER ARPA FUNDS, THEY DEFINITELY WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN IT.

>> ONE THING THAT WAS THROWN OUT IN THAT DEBATE WAS FROM REPRESENTATIVE TAMMY NICHOLS OF MILLEDTON WHO CLAIMED FALSELY THAT CHILDREN CANNOT CARRY THE VIRUS.

I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS THAT'S NOT TRUE.

NEVERTHELESS, THAT DID APPEAR TO SWAY VOTES IN THAT DEBATE.

I THOUGHT THERE WAS AS VERY SURPRISING VOTE, I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE IT WILL NOT COME BACK.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SCHOOLS WILL DO ABOUT COVID TESTING AND THAT BILL WAS VOLUNTARY, FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT PARTICIPATE AND FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT WERE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR THE FUNDS, AND FOR THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO WOULD BE TESTED, PARENTAL CONSENT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED.

THE HOUSE SAID NO AFTER HEARING THESE ARGUMENTS.

>> AFTER THE SENATE VOTED 26-3 TO PASS IT.

>> IT WAS SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE THERE WAS A PARENTAL CONSENT ASPECT TO IT, I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF IDAHO PARENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT VACCINES, AND OF COURSE THIS IS A MEASURE THAT WOULD INCLUDE PARENTAL CONSENT TO TEST CHILDREN.

>> IT ALSO STRIKES ME THAT IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE VACCINES OR SORRY, THE TESTING AND THE CONCERN ABOUT SCHOOLS, BUT THERE'S ALSO A BIG RESISTANCE AMONG HOUSE REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY, ON ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS.

THEY CALL IT A MORTGAGE AGAINST OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT, KEVIN.

>> THAT CAME UP OVER AND OVER IN DEBATE THIS WEEK.

AND THE REPUBLICAN FROM REXBERG WAS SAYING THIS REPEATEDLY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

ARPA IS JUST PILED ON FEDERAL DEBT.

IT'S GOING TO BE PAID OFF BY OUR GRANDKIDS, AND POINTING OUT THAT THE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ALL VOTED AGAINST ARPA AS DID -- >> NEVERTHELESS, IT WAS GOVERNOR LITTLE WHO USED THAT PHRASE IN REFERENCE TO ARPA AND HE SAID THIS WILL BE DEBT FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN, BUT IF WE DON'T ACCEPT IT, THE DEBT WILL STILL BE INCURRED AND THAT MONEY WILL BE SENT TO OTHER STATES.

IN OUR GRANDCHILDREN HAVE TO PAY OFF THE DEBT THEY SHOULD AT LEAST GET SOME OF THE BENEFIT.

THAT WAS HIS ARGUMENT TO ACCEPT THE FUNDS.

>> LIKE THE $40 MILLION FOR COVID TESTING.

THAT MONEY DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE.

>> KEVIN RICHERT, BETSY RUSSELL, AND RUTH BROWN OF IT'S SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE IN PERSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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