>>> 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 THE BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND LAWMAKERS ARE PASSING A NUMBER OF BILLS.

SO WHAT'S LEFT FOR THEM TO ADDRESS?

WELL, MAJOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, SOME OF THE BIGGEST TALKERS OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK REPRESENTATIVE FRED WOOD JOINS ME TO DISCUSS THE STATE OF RURAL HEALTHCARE IN IDAHO, AS WELL AS HIS VIEWS ON THE LEGISLATURE.

THEN, WETY -- BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS JOINS ME TO DISCUSS WHERE LAWMAKERS ARE ON KEY BILLS.

BUT FIRST, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HOPEFUL SMELLBYES LEARN -- SHELBY RODNSTAD LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL NOT BE ON THE PRYER MA BALLOT THIS MAY.

HE HAS AFFILIATED AS A REPUBLICAN VOTER SINCE AT LEAST 2014, SO HE COULD PARTICIPATE IN GOLF PRIMARIES.

HIS CAMPAIGN TOLD IDAHO REPORTS THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD AFFILIATED AS A DEMOCRATIC BEFORE ANNOUNCING HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR SIX MONTHS AGO, BUT PUBLIC RECORDS SHOW HE WAS STILL A REPUBLICAN.

INTERESTING.

IDAHO CODE SAYS A CANDIDATE MUST BE AFFILIATED WITH A PARTY.

RONG STAND'S CAMPAIGN SAYS IT DOESN'T SPECIFY THE PARTY HAS TO BE THE SAME ONE THEY'RE RUNNING FOR.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE STATE HAS NEVER INTERPRETED THE CODE ANY OTHER WAY.

SO AT THIS POINT, THE RODNSTAD CAMPAIGN COULD FILE A LAWSUIT OR ATTEMPT A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN TO GET ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALANCE.

-- BALLOT.

HE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY.

WATCH FOR UPDATES AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

>>> ADA COUNTY JURORS CONVICTED ANOTHER [INAUDIBLE] HOPEFUL THIS WEEK.

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE AMMON BUNDY WAS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR OF PROBATION AND A FINE OF MORE THAN $3,000 AFTER JURORS FOUND HIM GUILTY OF TWO OF THE THREE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES HE FACED.

BUNDY WAS CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR THREATS PASSING AS WELL AS RESISTING AND OBSTRUCTING OFFICERS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF INCIDENTS LAST YEAR AT THE IDAHO STATEHOUSE.

THE CONVICTION CAME JUST DAYS AFTER BUNDY WAS AGAIN ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING DURING A PROTEST AT A MERIDIAN HOSPITAL FOLLOWING THE STATE'S CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TAKING CUSTODY OF HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER'S INFANT GRAN CHILD, WHO WAS REPORTEDLY SEVERELY UNDERWEIGHT.

THOSE PROTESTS HAVE CONTINUED AT HOSPITALS AND STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS EVERY DAY SINCE.

>>> GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL LAWRENCE WASDEN FILED A LAWSUIT ON MONDAY TO REMOVE PROTESTORS CAMPIN ON STATE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

THE PROTESTORS HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE JANUARY IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE IDAHO'S HOUSING CRISIS.

LITTLE CITED DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY AND HEALTH CONCERNS AS A REASON HE WANTS TO END THE PROTEST.

>>> ON FRIDAY IDAHO REPORTS VISITED WITH ONE OF THE PROTESTERS WHO GOES BY RAZOR WHO SAYS HE'S BEEN HOMELESS FOR TO YEARS AND IN THAT TIME HE'S SEEN THE REAL EFFECTS OF IDAHO'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

>> WE'RE TIRED OF.

WE CAN'T EVEN GO AND FIND A HOLE SOMEWHERE IN A DOORWAY ALCOVE, LAYING OUR HEAD AND TRYING TO CATCH A COUPLE HOURS OF SLEEP BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THE HOUSING.

YEAH.

THERE'S HOUSING PROGRAMS.

BUT YOU KNOW, WHAT THE PROBLEM WITH THEM IS?

THE LIST IS A MILE LONG!

TO GO AND END UP GETTING INTO THE TWO OR THREE PLACES THAT END UP BEING AVAILABLE.

>> IN LEGISLATIVE NEWS, ON WEDNESDAY THE HOUSE PASSED A STATE'S BUDGET TO PFUND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES WITH A 46-22 VOTE AND ON THE FIRST TRY.

THAT'S A BIG CHANGE FROM THE LAST TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, WHEN LAWMAKERS VOTED DOWN THE BUDGETS THE FIRST GO-ROUND, LARGELY OVER CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITIES.

THIS YEAR'S BUDGET INCLUDES $338 MILLION FROM THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND FOR IDAHO'S FOUR YEARS HIGHER -- FOARS YEAR HIGHER EDUCATION I KNOW TUESDAYS AND WILL ATHOSE LOU THOSE SCHOOLS TO FREEZE TUITION AGAIN FOR IN-STATE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.

>>> A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE WOULD BAN GENDER-AFFIRMING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR TRANSGENDER CHILDREN WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD IN THE SENATE.

THE GOP ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THE BILL IS AN OVERREACH OF GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATION'S CURRENT LANGUAGE COULD BE INTERPRETED TO APPLY TO MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN THAT'S COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO GEND CONFIRMATION.

>>> ON WEDNESDAY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TOOK UP AN EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY BILL, WHICH WOULD ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FUND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, AMONG OTHER PROGRAMS.

BUT AFTER A SHORT DEBATE, THE HOUSE PUT OFF THE VOTE FOR AND THEN AGAIN UNTIL NEXT WEEKS.

-- WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE MORE WITH BETSY LATER IN THE SHOW.

>>> SOME CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATORS CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO BRING BILLS TO THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT DID NOT GET HEARINGS IN COMMITTEE.

>> 434, WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?

>> MR. SPEAKER, INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL.

THAT'S CALL -- LET'S CALL IT HOUR BY HOUR 448.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM 4.

>> FOR THE 30TH TIME I MOVE THAT WAYS AND MEANS BE EXCUSED FROM -- >> LADY FROM 11.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I CALL HOUSE BILL 492.

>> LADY FROM JUAN.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I CALL HOUSE BILL 496.

>> FROM 35 FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, I CALL UP HOUSE BILL 491.

>> GENTLEMAN FROM 30, FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE?

>> MR. SPEAKER, WHILE THE GENTLEMAN WILL 4 MAY JOKE ABOUT THIS, IDAHO FAMILIES ARE HURTING.

LET'S CALL UP HOUSE BILL 493.

>> LADY FROM 1.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I'D LIKE THE -- IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND IT'S HOUSE BILL 662.

>> LADY FROM 11.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I WOULD LIKE TO CALL HOUSE BILL 484.

>> FROM 13.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I MOVE THAT WE CALL HIGH PRESSURE I'M JUST KIDDING.

I HAVE AN INTRODUCTION, MR. SPEAKER JUROR FOR WHAT PURPOSES FROM 35 RISE.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I CALL UP HOUSE BILL 462, DEFEND THE GUARD.

>> FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE, GOOD GENTLEMAN?

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I THINK YOU WERE TALKING TO ME.

WE ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO END ABORTION.

>> FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU RISE.

>> 460 FROM THE HOUSE AND WAYS COMMITTEE.

>> NONE OF THOSE EFFORTS HAVING SUCCESSFUL.

>>> THE HOUSE ON MONDAY PASSED A BILL THAT I WOULD ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS OF A WOMAN WHO HAD AN ABORTION TO SUE THE ABORTION PROVIDER.

THE TEXAS-STYLE ABORTION BILL WOULD ALSO ALLOW THE FAMILY MEMBERSP A REAPTIST TO SUE THE PROVIDER AS WELL, SHOULD THE WOMAN BE IMPREGNANTED DUE TO RAPE OR -- IMPREGNATED DUE TO RAPE OR INCEST.

>> IN A FEW MONTHS THE SUPREME COURT MAY ACTUALLY OVERTURN ROW V CASEY.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING.

MY EXPERIENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WAS ONE OF HOPE.

THIS RIGHT NOW IS ONE OF ACTUAL EYE WALT, AND I HOPE -- ACTUALITY, AND I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE IT THE GREEN RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT SOMEONE COMMITTED AAP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SUE IF AN ABORTION WERE TO TAKE PLACE.

WOULD A FAMILY MEMBER OF SAID RAPIST BE ABLE TO SUE?

WHAT THEY HAVE STANDING?

>> DOWN FOR 21.

>> THANK YOU, THE -- IF IT IS THE PARENTS, SIBLINGS, AUNTSES, AND UNCLES, THEN YES.

>> A VICTIM OF RAPE OR INCEST SHOULD NEVER BE FORCED TO BEAR A CHILD AND THIS LEGISLATION ACAGES THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS -- ACKNOWLEDGES THAT.

IT RENDERS ITSELF USE LUS BUT WE SHOULD -- USELESS BUT WE SHOULD ASK OURSELVES IF AN ABORTION IS OKAY IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHY CAN'T WE TRUST PATIENTS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IF OTHER CASES FOR THEIR DEEPLY PERSONAL REASONS?

>> BE AWARE THAT THE DOCTOR IS BEING SUED U NOT THE MOM.

MAYBE ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS.

BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT'S ALREADY MADE THE TEXAS BILL HAS MADE TWO VISITS TO THIS SUPREME COURT.

WE HEARD IN TESTIMONY IN THE COMMITTEE, WE HEARD TESTIMONY HERE TODAY THAT THIS WILL END MANY ABORTIONS IN IDAHO.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT TESTIMONY.

LET'S SAVE SOME BABIES.

THANK YOU.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE ON A 51-14 VOTE BUT NOW WITHOUT A PROTEST IN THE GALLERY.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR.

>>> ON MONDAY THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL TO LIMIT THE FORMS OF IDNTIFICATION PEOPLE COULD USE FOR SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION AS WELL AS PROHIBIT THE USE OF AN AFFIDAVIT FOR SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.

>> THERE ARE STILL GOING TO BE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN IDAHO, PERFECTLY LEGAL VOTERS WHO ALREADY BARRED FROM REGISTERING UNDER THIS STATUTE.

AGAIN, GETTING BACK TO MY MOTHER, WHO GUIDE -- WHO DIED LAST YEAR.

SHE DID NOT HAVE A UTILITY BILL IN HER NAME.

SHE DID NOT HAVE A RENTAL AGREEMENT IN HER NAME, AND SHE COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN AN AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY HER PARENT WHO WAS LONG DEAD.

SO THERE ARE GOING TO BE SENIOR CITIZENS ALL OVER THE STATE.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE WHOSE UTILITY BILL MIGHT BE IN THE SPOUSE'S NAME.

MAYBE THEIR SPOUSE PAID THE PROPERTY TAX BILL.

THERE'S A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE PRODUCED THAT I THINK MANY THOUSANDS OF LEGAL PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE.

EVERY ONE OF US ARE ALREADY REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THIS CHAMBER.

EVERYBODY WE KNOW IN THIS STATE ARE ALREADY REGISTERED TO VOTE.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S MASTER DATABASE, SO IF YOU MOVE YOUR INFORMATION IS GOING TO TRAVEL WITH YOU.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VOTER.

D. REGISTRATION CARD, WHEN YOU MOVE, THAT'S WHERE YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY AT.

SO IT'S BECAUSE -- YOU KNOW, YOU'RE FOLLOWED.

YOU'RE TRACKED AROUND THE STATE AS YOU MOVE.

THIS IS NOT EVERY SENIOR WILL NOW HAVE TO COME UP WITH ALL THESE DOCUMENTS OR THE LOST BIRTH CERTIFICATE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY IN THE SYSTEM.

SO TO THROW THAT OUT THAT NOW EVERYBODY IN THE STATE HAS GOT A REREG STRER UNDER -- REREGISTER UNDER THE NEW GUIDELINES IS DISINJENUWITH US.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> THE BILL HEADS TO THE SENATE, WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY TURNED DOWN SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

>>> THE WWAMI PROGRAM PLACES IDAHO MEDICAL CENTER STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON'S MEDICAL SCHOOL AND PROVIDES THEM WITH CLINICAL TRAINING WITHINAMI'S FIVE-STATE AREA.

WASHINGTON, WYOMING, ALASKA, MONTANA, AND IDAHO.

IDAHO CURRENTLY FUNDS 40 NEW STUDENTS EACH YEAR FOR THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A KEY PART OF ADDRESSING THE RURAL DOCTOR SHORTAGE IN IDAHO AND THROUGHOUT THE NORTHWEST.

BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY ANSWER.

ON FRIDAY RETIRING HOUSE HEALTH AND COLORADO FAIR CHAIRMAN FEDERAL WOOD JOINED ME TO DISCUSS THE WWAMI PROGRAM AND YOU'LL HEALTHCARE.

-- RURAL HEALTHCARE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE WWAMI PROGRAM.

WE'RE AT 40 SEATS EACH YEAR RIGHT NOW.

IS IT ENOUGH?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, MELISSA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

ALWAYS LOVE COMING AND TALKING TO YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSORS HERE.

WE DO HAVE 40 WWAMI SEATS.

WE PASSED A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUGGESTING THAT WE GET MORE SEATS IN THE FUTURE.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE AS MANY AS 60 TO 70 SEATS.

WE DO HAVE 40 WWAMI SEATS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE ABOUT 10 OR 12 SEATS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

SO WE ARE GETTING FAIRLY CLOSE TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE WITH THE STATE POPULATION OF 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE WITH RESPECT TO MEDICAL SCHOOLS SLOTS.

WE'VE DONE WELL.

THOSE TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE GREAT MEDICAL SCHOOLS.

BE HARD FOR US TO ACHIEVE THAT SAME RECOGNITION AND CALIBER OF MEDICAL EDUCATION.

BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY USE MORE.

>> THERE IS A BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE EARLIER THIS SESSION THAT WOULD HAVE SAID, IF A STUDENT IN IDAHO GETS A WWAMI SEAT, THEN THEY SHOULD SIGN A CONTRACT.

THEY NEED TO SIGN A CONTRACT THAT SAYS THEY WILL PRACTICE IN IDAHO FOR AT LEAST FOUR YEARS OR THEY'LL HAVE TO PAY THE STATE BACK.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION AND IS IT GOING TO HURT THE STATE'S CHANCES OF RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR THOSE SEATS?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A TRADE-OFF.

IN IN RESPECT.

WE KNOW THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH RURAL MEDICINE, PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE, ET CETERA.

THEY WANT TO BECOME SPECIALISTS OR SUBSPECIALISTS.

IDAHO I THINK IS FAIRLY WELL REPRESENTED IN THAT CATEGORY.

BUT WE CERTAINLY ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN PRIMARY CARE SPECIALTIES, FAMILY PRACTICE, PEDIATRICS U ET CETERA.

SO I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE CHANGE IN WHO ACTUALLY DOES APPLY FOR THE WWAMI PROGRAM.

NOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IDAHO THAT CERTAINLY WANT TO COME BACK TO OUR LARGER METROPOLITAN AREAS THAT WANT TO PRACTICE ORTHOPEDICS OR SOME FORM OF SURGERY OR WHATEVER.

AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIGN A CONTRACT LIKE THAT.

BUT I THINK THE CALIBER OF PERSON WHO'S APPLIES WILL STILL BE THE SAME.

I THINK THEIR INTEREST WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

I INITIALLY WAS OPPOSED TO THAT A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.

I CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS A BALANCED BILL IN THIS RESPECT.

YOU CAN PAY THAT BACK BY DOING A RESIDENCY HERE IN IDAHO ALSO.

SO THE ONLY THING THE BETTERING THE BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN TO YOU COULD PAY BACK A -- OR PART OF IT IF ACTUALLY YOU'RE DOING A FAMILY PRACTICE RESIDENCY OR PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY AND INTENDED TO COME BACK HERE.

BUT THAT'S THE ONLY THING.

BUT I SUPPORTED THAT BILL.

>> RURAL HEALTHCARE HAS LONG BEEN AN ISSUE IN IDAHO BEING ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN NOT JUST PHYSICIANS BUT REGISTERED NURSES.

AND WE'VE LOST A WHOLE LOT OF REGISTER NURSES IN YOU'LL IDAHO -- YIEWRL IDAHO.

WHAT'S -- RURAL IDAHO.

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

>> WELL, YOU DON'T ALLOW DOCTORS TO GET MARRIED UNTIL THEY FINISH THEIR RESIDENCY AND MOVE BACK TO RURAL IDAHO AND THEN GET MARRIED.

[LAUGHTER] >> OKAY, GOOD LUCK LEGISLATING THAT.

>> OH, YEAH!

WELL, I KNOW -- THAT'S ANOTHER TOPIC WE CAN GET TO.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS TRIED AND TRIED TO LEGISLATE MORALITY AND GOOD PARENTING AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS OR COMMON SENSE AND IT JUST NEVER WORKS.

THE FACT IS, WITH RESPECT -- AND ALL KIDDING ASIDE NOW, WITH RESPECT TO GETTING PEOPLE TO COME TO RURAL ANYWHERE TO PRACTICE, AN AWFUL LOT OF THAT DEPENDS UPON THEIR FAMILY, THEIR WIFE, AND THEIR CHILDREN.

AND YOU KNOW, WHERE A FAMILY WANTS TO LIVE IS A FAMILY DECISION, NOT NECESSARILY A PHYSICIAN'S DECISION.

AND RIGHTLY SO.

AND RURAL MEDICINE IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT ANIMAL THAN MEDICINE IN BOISE, FOR INSTANCE.

BURLY AS AN EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LIVE IN BURLEY, IDAHO, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE ABOUT 35 1/2 TO 40 HOURS A WEEK.

THE REST OF THE TIME YOU'RE -- YOUR ONLY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, BASICALLY, TRADITIONALLY, HAS BEEN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

>> WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.

>> WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.

>> AND NOT IDEAL.

>> NOT IDEAL, ET CETERA.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE RAIN REASONS -- MAIN REASONS THAT WE'RE NOT SEEING OUR RURAL AREAS GROW AS MUCH AS WE'RE SEEING OUR URBAN AREAS GROW.

AND THERE'S MULTIPLE FACETS LIKE THAT.

BUT THAT'S -- SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A MAGIC BULLET TO SOLVING THAT.

BUT GETTING THEM TO DO RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF IDAHO IN PRIMARY CARE IS THE BEST SOLUTION SO FAR.

SO EXPANDING THE RESIDENCIES TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN IS PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE SHOULD BE ATTEMPTING TO DO.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE FOR -- THIS IS IN YOUR 10TH SESSION.

>> 10 YEARS.

>> DOING THAT.

IN THAT TIME, WE'VE SEEN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE-BASED INSURANCE EXCHANGE, VOTER-DRIVEN MEDICAID EXPANSION.

RED TAPE REDUCTION.

PANDEMIC.

SO MANY DIFFERENT HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT'S THE STATE OF HEALTHCARE NOW VERSUS IN 2013 WHEN YOU TOOK OVER THAT SEAT?

>> I THINK THE THING THAT -- FIRST THING I THOUGHT OF WHEN I ENTERTAINED THAT QUESTION IS, FROM A LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVE, IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH HEALTHCARE.

YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY, IN AMERICA, WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE LIVING OFF OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

THEY ARE LITERALLY EMPLOYED FULL TIME IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

SO ALL ISSUES ARE IMMEDIATELY MONETIZED AND POLITICIZED.

FOR FUND-RAISING, ET CETERA.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT IN HEALTHCARE IN SPADES TO ISSUES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> LIKE WHAT?

>> ABORTION.

OKAY.

NOT RELATED TO HEALTHCARE BUT GUNS.

ET CETERA.

THOSE KINDS -- THOSE ARE BIG FUND-RAISING ISSUES.

BUT IT'S NOT HEALTHCARE.

YOU KNOW.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO DO WITH HEALTHCARE.

IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO DO IS TO INCREASE ACCESS.

WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO -- WE HAVE EXCELLENT HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

BUT WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS, IS WE NEED SOME INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED BROADBAND.

RELATED TO HEALTHCARE.

>> FOR TELEMEDICINE ACCESS?

>> FOR TELEMEDICINE ACCESS, ET CETERA.

NOW, YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN PREVIOUSLY TELEMEDICINE ISN'T THE SOLE ANSWER TO ALL ACCESS OF MEDICINE.

BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST SHORTAGES WE HAVE IN OHIO HOE IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND THAT -- IDAHO IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THAT'S THE POSTER CHILD LITERALLY FOR ACCESS TO PATIENT CARE IN BEHAVIORAL -- AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS TELEHEALTH, OKAY.

AND I DON'T MEAN JUST IN IDAHO BUT ACROSS STATE BOUNDARIES.

AND THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

>> I HAVE SO MUCH MORE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE WOOD INCLUDING HIS TAKE ON HOUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS CHANGED SINCE HE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2006.

IT'S A GREAT CONVERSATION, AND YOU'LL FIND THAT FULL INTERVIEW AT YOUTUBE.COM/"IDAHO REPORTS."

>>> AS WE NEAR THE LIKELY END OF THE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ARE PASSING BILLS LEFT AND RIGHT.

BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT LEFT ON THE TABLE.

JOINING ME IS BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS.

REAL QUICK, STATUS UPDATE ON SOME OF THE BIG TALKERS.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

WHERE ARE WE?

>> WE ARE NOT VERY FAR!

A COUPLE OF SMALL PIECES HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH.

THERE IS A BILL ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR THAT NEVER HAD A HEARING FROM REPRESENTATIVE MILE THAT WAS -- MOYIL THAT WAS JUST USED AND WOULD CHANGE THE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE BY -- SUPPOSEDLY WITH THE AIM OF SHIFTING IT FROM COUNTIES TO THE STATE BUT IT HIT CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVERS FOR THE MAJORITY -- CITY AND COUNTY BUILDINGS FOR THE MAJORITY OF THAT BASES ON REVENUES THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE FROM REVENUE SHARING IN THE FUTURE.

THAT BILL, WHO KNOWS, MAYBE RUSHED THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE AS SO MANY OTHER THINGS WE'RE SEEING ARE.

THERE WAS A CIRCUIT BREAKER BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE FROM REPRESENTATIVE SHEPHARD CAME OUT YESTERDAY.

THE TWO SIDES WERE TRYING TO REACH A COMPROMISE.

THEY APPARENTLY DID NOT.

THEY'RE GOING WITH THE HOUSE VERSION WHICH DOES LESS TO SOFTEN OF BLOW OF LAST YEAR'S BILL ON NEEDY SENIORS WHO ARE SET TO LOSE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

>> WITH A WEEK LEFT, IS THERE A CHANCE WE MIGHT STILL SEE SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL ON PROPERTY TAX?

>> I GUESS IT DEPENDS HOW YOU DEFINE SUBSTANTIAL.

HE SAYS HIS BRAND-NEW BILL WILL BE $50 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

THAT SOUNDS SUBSTANTIAL BUT THERE WAS A HUGE PACKAGE KICKED AROUND FOR 750 MILLION.

BUT THAT RELIED ON RAISING THE SALES TAX TO ALMOST 8%.

THAT HAS DIED.

REALLY, THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF DISCUSSION WAS TAKEN OFF THE TABLE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IMMEDIATELY PASSED A HUGE INCOME TAX CUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

SOAKING UP ALL THE AVAILABILITY REVENUE.

THERE WERE PREDICTIONS THAT'S IT WOULD WOULD DO.

>> LITERACY, AND WHICH COULD FUND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THAT CHOOSE TO DO SO.

WE COVERED.

THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW.

THIS WAS SOME MOVEMENT ON FRIDAY AFTER THE HOUSE PUT OFF THE VOTE ON THAT BILL FOR NEXT WEEK.

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

>> WELL, A BRAND-NEW VERSION WAS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

IT WAS INTRODUCED SO QUICKLY AFTER THE HOUSE ADJOURNED ON FRIDAY, THAT I DIDN'T GET THERE BEFORE IT HAPPENED AND NEITHER DID BOTH OF ITS SPONSORS.

I TALKED TO THEM IN THE HALLWAY ABOUT THAT AND WHAT IT DOES.

THEY THINK THAT IT CLEANS IT UP A LITTLE, MAKES SOME THINGS MORE CLEAR AND HOPEFULLY WILL RESOLVE ENOUGH OF THE CONCERNS TO GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

STILL DOES BASICALLY THE SAME THINGS AS THE SENATE BILL THAT PASSED WITH ONLY TWO NO VOTES BUT IT MAKES CHANGES, INCLUDING INCORPORATING REQUIREMENTS ON SUPPLEMENTAL PROPERTY TAX LEVEES FOR SCHOOLS OF ALL TYPES, THAT THEY HAVE TO STATE WHAT THEY'RE FOR, WHAT IT WILL BE SPENT ON, WHAT AMOUNTS AND THAT WAS ANOTHER BILL THAT HASN'T PASSED THE ?AILT.

THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES GIVING AT MORE CLARITY ON WHAT THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT ON AS FAR AS LITERACY INTERVENTION.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, NOT JUST FUNDING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY PROGRAMS THAT COULD FUND LIKE OPTIONAL FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> IKE ALL THE BILLS, THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE LAW ABOUT FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN IDAHO.

WHAT IT DOES IS IT PROVIDES MORE FUNDING.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN PROVIDE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THEY CAN OFFER THAT IF THEY WANT TO, BUT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING.

SO THEY'VE PATCHED TOGETHER ALL THESE WAYS TO PAY FOR IT AND ALMOST HALF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING IT ON A WIDESPREAD BASIS.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE A LOT MORE FUNDING AND GIVE SOME DIRECTION IN HOW IT COULD BE SPENT.

>> THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SEEMINGLY NEW IDEAS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TAKEN UP IN THE PAST FEW DAYS AND YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THEM.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> I THINK KIND OF THE BIGGEST ONE THAT STANDS OUT, AND HERE WE ARE ON FRIDAY AND I'VE JUST COVERED THIS HOUSE DEBATE, IS REGARDING THE COURTS.

AND SELECTION OF JUDGES IN IDAHO AND THE MAKEUP OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL.

LEGISLATION HAS COME OUT VERY LATE IN THE SESSION.

THE HOUSE JUST PASSED A BILL AFTER A VERY IMPASSIONED DEBATE THAT RAN INTO THE NOON HOUR TODAY.

THE BILL WAS JUST INTRODUCED THIS WEEK.

IT WOULD MAKE MASSIVE CHANGES TO THE JUDICIAL COUNSEL.

IT WOULD GIVE THE GOVERNOR THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT BASICALLY 10 OF 11 MEMBERS.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE SEVEN MEMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR APPOINTS THREE.

IT WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO REJECT A SLATE OF JUDGES AND GET A NEW ONE WITH NO REPEATS.

IT SHIFTS THE POWER OF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THE COURTS WHO HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CONVENE A STUDY TO INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE, THE COURTS, THE PUBLIC, IN THE BEST WAY TO MAKE CHANGES TO THIS SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1967, THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE MONTHOIL, THE SPONSOR, SAID QUIT WHINING AND JUST VOTE FOR THE BILL, AND IT PASSED.

>> I NEED TO DISCLOSE.

I HAVEN'T BEEN COVERING THIS BILL BECAUSE MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR THE COURTS.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE JUDICIAL COUNSEL, WHAT ROLE DO THEY PLAY IN THE JUDICIARY?

>> THE JUDICIAL COUNSEL HAS TWO ROLES.

IT NOMINATES JUDGES.

CANDIDATES FOR THE GOVERNOR TO CHOOSE FROM TO APPOINT FOR JUDICIAL VACANCIES AND IT DISCIPLINES JUDGES.

AND ALL OF THE DEBATE HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON THE NOMINATED AND SELECTION PROCESS.

-- NOMINATING AND SELECTION PROCESS.

BUT BUG CHANGES WOULD ALSO CHANGE WHO IS DISCIPLINING JUDGES AND THESE CHANGES WOULD PUT FAR MORE ATTORNEYS ON THIS COUNCIL THAN NOW.

>> THERE WERE OTHER ISSUES THAT LAWMAKERS TOOK UP LATE IN THE WEEK, INCLUDING SO-CALLED CORONAVIRUS PAUSE BILL.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THAT BILL HAS NOW PASSED THE HOUSE.

IT'S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

IT PASSED THE SENATE YESTERDAY.

THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF ALL THE TALK THAT WE'VE HEARD, ESPECIALLY IN NOVEMBER AND THROUGH THIS SESSION, ABOUT LEGISLATORS' DESIRE TO FORBID IDAHO BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS FROM HAVING VACCINE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES OR CUSTOMERS.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO.

BUT IT WOULD DO IT FOR JUST ONE YEAR.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE CALLING IT A PAUSE.

SENATOR WINDER, THE LEAD SPONSOR, SAID IT'S NOT A LONG-TERM CHANGE IN POLICY.

WE'RE JUST TAKING A PAUSE HERE FOR ONE YEAR YOU COULDN'T REQUIRE THIS.

THERE BE BUSINESSES OPPOSING THIS.

IT DOES HAVE EXCEPTIONS.

THE EXCEPTIONS ARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE COVERED BY FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDE, HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS.

AND -- HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS.

AND BUSINESSES WHO EMPLOY PEOPLE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TO PLACES WHERE VACCINES ARE REQUIRED OR TO ENTER WORK AREAS WHERE VACCINES ARE REQUIRED.

AND FOR EXISTING CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS.

THEY CAN'T CHANGE THOSE ANYWAY UNDER THE IDAHO DISMIEWTION.

BUT THOSE -- CONSTITUTION.

THOSE ARE THE EXCEPTIONS.

>> THIS COMES AS WE FOUND OUT THAT PES -- TEST POSITIVITY RATE HAS DROPPED TO 2.5%, WHICH IS REMARKABLE.

AND GREAT NEWS.

AND IT'S EVEN LOWER IN SOME COUNTIES LIKE ADA COUNTY IS 2%.

GREAT NEWS.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE THE CONVERSATION AROUND COVID RESTRICTIONS CAN HAVE NOW IN A MUCH MORE -- IN A LESS TENSE WAY.

>> CERTAINLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THIS BILL IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HADN'T SEEN EARLIER.

THE HOUSE WAS PUSHING FOR MUCH, MUCH MORE FAR-REACHING REQUIREMENTS AND PASSED A BILL TO MAKE IT A CRIME FOR ANY EMPLOYER TO EVEN INQUIRE ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE'S VACCINE STATUS.

SO THIS REPLACED THIS, THAT BILL AND REPRESENTATIVE SHEPHERD, THE SPONSOR, SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE CORONAVIRUS PAUSE BILL IN THE HOUSE TODAY AND SAID THEY'VE ALL REACHED AGREEMENT.

>> REAL QUICK, YES OR NO, ARE THERE GOING TO BE ADJOURNED BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK?

>> THEY ARE SCRAMBLING AS HARD AS THEY CAN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IF IT DOES, IT WILL BE VERY, VERY MESSY!

JUST LIKE WHAT WE SAW TODAY.

>> CAN'T WAIT.

BETSY RUSSELL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE HAVE MUCH MORE ONLINE.

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

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.