>>> PRESENTBRASION OF IDAHO TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE LAURA MOORE FAMILY FOUNDATION.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THE HOUSE MOVED A MAJOR TAX RELIEF BILL FORWARD THIS WEEK.

AND IDAHO'S EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS WILL SOON BE UP FOR DEBATE.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO.

AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK REPRESENTATIVES BARBER EHARAND SALLY TUNE JOIN US FOR EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS AND THE PROSPECT OF ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THEN KIFFIN RICHARD OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS JOINS ME TO BREAK DOWN THE BUDGETS AND THE DEBATES.

BUT GIRS -- FIRST, THE STATE'S NUMBER OF NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS CONTINUES TO SOAR AND ON TUESDAY DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENH AND WELFARE DIRECTOR SAYS HE BELIEVES IT'S LIKELY HOSPITALS MAY BE FORCED BACK INTO CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE.

ON THURSDAY THE STATEWIDE TEST POSITIVITY RATE CLIMBED TO 34.1%, MEANING THAT ONE IN EVERY THREE COVID TESTS CAME BACK POSITIVE LAST WEEK.

THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE POSITIVE RATE BELOW 5%.

>>> THIS WEEK THE HOUSE ADVANCED A BILL THAT WE DEUCE THE AMOUNT OF INCOME TAXES PAID IN IDAHO.

IF SIGNED INTO LAW, IT WOULD TOTAL AROUND $350 MILLION IN ONE-TIME REBATE CHECKS WHILE RATE REDUCTIONS WOULD DECREASE THE REVENUES BY 250 MILLION EACH YEAR.

>> THE BILL BEFORE YOU PROVIDES 600 MILLION DOLLARS IN RELIEF, THE LARGEST IN IDAHO'S HISTORY.

$600 MILLION IN RELIEF.

IT HELPS LOWER THE BANDS FOR THOSE PAYING TAXES IN IDAHO.

I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO CUT TAXES FOR SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T PAY TAXES.

SO WE TRY TO SKEW THIS THAT THAT SAY WE SHOULD HELP, HELP, HELP BUT IF THEY DON'T PAY TAXES IT'S HARD TO GIVE THEM A RELIEF.

SO THIS BILL TRIES TO ADDRESS THAT ALSO.

>> THIS CAME IN BEFORE ALMOST ANY COMMITTEE HAD GAVELED INTO SESSION.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A PENNY PUT INTO EDUCATION.

OR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE SOLVED NO PROBLEMS AS WE SIT HERE TODAY.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

ANYTHING IS JUST ASPIRATIONAL, THAT MAYBE IF THERE'S LEFTOVER MONEY AFTER THAT TAX CUT, MAYBE WE'LL GET AROUND TO THE SCHOOLS.

BUT THIS BOTHERS ME, I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE RUSHED IN AND ADDRESS EDUCATION.

FIRST THICK AND ADDRESSED BRIDGES NOT FALLING DOWN.

IT'S JUST VERY FRUSTRATING THAT THERE'S A FEELING THAT, THAT STUFF CAN WAIT.

FIRST THINGS FIRST.

WE GOT TO CUT 13,000 DOLLAR CHECKS TO MILLIONAIRES.

IT'S JUST DISTRESSING.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR MOM IS -- TAUGHT TO EAT YOUR ICE CREAM BEFORE YOUR VEGETABLES BUT MINE DIDN'T.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT GIANT TAX CUTS THAT PREDOMINANTLY BENEFIT THE WEALTHY AND WELL-CONNECTED MOST PROFITABLE CORPORATIONS SHOULD GET TO THE BACK OF THE LINE AFTER WE FUND OUR AND OUR BRIDGES.

SO I WOULD JUST PUT THAT TO YOU AND JUST SAY THAT PERSONALLY I FIND IT JUST DEPRESSING TO SEE THE LIGHTNING SPEED AND SINGLE MINDEDNESS WITH WHICH THIS BODY HAS SUPERPRIORITIZED THIS CASE STUDY IN TRICKLEDDOWN ECONOMICS.

>> THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TAX BILLS EVER.

THE FAVORITE TAX BILL THAT WE'VE EVER DONE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE BECAUSE IT'S $600 MILLION BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

I DON'T CARE HOW YOU SLICE IT OR HOW YOU CALL IT, WHATEVER.

WHAT LINE YOU WANT TO PUT IT IN YOUR BUDGET.

IT'S $6MAN MILLION BACK TO THE -- $600 MILLION BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

PART OF THAT IS ONE TIME.

THIS IS A GREAT BILL.

I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW MUCH I'M LOVING THIS BILL.

I HOPE YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS BILL AS WELL.

>> BUT THE FACT IS IS THAT WE LIVE IN THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR IF NOT AWFUL CLOSE TO IT.

AND A LOT OF THAT SURPLUS IS BECAUSE OF THAT GROWTH.

AND WE'RE NOT TAKING THAT MONEY AND PLOWING IT BACK INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ONE-TIME EXPENGD TOURS, TO SUPPORT THAT POPULATION.

AND WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO DO IS CUT THE REVENUE STREAM THAT IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO DO THAT INTO THE FUTURE.

AND MR. SPEAKER, THIS KIND OF REMINDS ME OR SMELLS A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE WAY CONGRESS OPERATES AND NOT THE WAY THAT THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE HAS OPERATED FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

>> WE MAY FIND BASIS AS THE LEGISLATE YOUR GOES ON TO FIND A WAY TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S OTHERS IN HERE THAT RATHER REDUCE GROCERY TAXES OR FOOD TAXES.

BUT FOR ME, PROPERTY TAX IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

>> THE HOUSE VOTED 57-13 TO ADVANCE THE BILL TO THE SENATE ON THURSDAY.

REPRESENTATIVE FRED WOOD WAS THE SOLE PRESIDENT TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

THE BILL NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

>>> WE DISCUSSED THAT PROPOSAL AND OTHER TAX PRIORITIES IN DETAIL ON LAST WEEK'S SHOW.

IF YOU MISSED THAT CONVERSATION OR WANT TO WATCH IT AGAIN, YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE AT WBZ -- IDAHO HOE PT.ORG/IDAHO REPORTS.

>>> THEY DEBATED HOUSE BILL 443, úA PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO BUY INTO THE STATE INSURANCE PLAN TO INSURE THAT YOU ARE TEACHERS.

IT WOULD CREATE A DEDICATED STATE FUND TO BUY INTO THE PLAN IF THEY CHOSE TO DO SO.

>> I SPENT 12 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND I WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT FINANCIALLY, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

MY WIFE AND I HAD SEVEN CHILDREN.

DURING MOST OF THAT TIME.

MY TAKE-HOME PAY WAS INSUFFICIENT.

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR TEACHERS WE'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

>> I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA OF INCREASING THE INSURANCE ALLOCATION TO TEACHERS MAKING IT CHEAPER FOR THEM IN THEIR PREMIUMS AND IN THEIR DEDUCTIONS.

WHOLLY ON BOARD WITH THAT.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON THIS.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT DOES COST MONEY TO PUT TEACHERS ON A STATE INSURANCE PLAN.

I HAVE TWO RESERVATIONS ON THIS, HOWEVER.

THE FIRST RESERVATION IS THE WAY THIS IS BEING DONE.

IT SEEMS THAT IT IS BEING DONE TO THE BENEFIT OF ONE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DETRIMENT OF OTHERS AND IT'S NOT A COMPETITIVE MODEL.

>> THAT BILL PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE AND IS SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

>>> IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SESSION, THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE INTRODUCED TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION INTENDED TO REPEAL THE STATE'S K-12 EDUCATION CONTENT STANDARDS FOR MATH, SCIENCE, AND ENGLISH, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW STANDARDS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

RUTH BROWN SPOKE FRIDAY MORNING WITH REPRESENTATIVE SALLY TUNE AND BARBIE EHART ABOUT THE REWRITES AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS YEAR IN EDUCATION POLICY.

>> HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPRESENTATIVE SALLY TUNE AND BARBARA EHART ARE HERE TO JOIN ME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> REPRESENTATIVE EHART, I WANTED TO START WITH YOU AND HAVE REPRESENTATIVE TUNE CHIME IN.

THERE'S A $1.9 BILLION SURPLUS THIS YEAR.

YOU BOTH SIT ON THE EDUCATION COMLGT.

REPRESENTATIVE -- COMMITTEE.

REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT FUNDING USED FOR IN REFERENCE TO EDUCATION?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY RIGHT NOW, THERE'S THE DISCUSSION HAVING TO DO WITH OUR TEACHERS AND INSURANCE AND THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS PUSHED FORWARD.

LOT OF FRIENDS WHO THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR THEM.

SO YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT THAT IS█ SOMETHING THAT I PROBABLY CN AND WILL SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, FROM THE MOMENT THAT WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO FUND OUR FIRST-YEAR TEACHERS, I WAS DEFINITELY BRINGING UP THE CONVERSATION OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY THERE AND IN THE FIGHT AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO YOU KNOW, DO FOR THEM.

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THOSE GAPS.

CERTAINLY OPEN AND IN FAVOR OF MAKING SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE ABLE TO HAVE ENOUGH TO STAY IN THIS PROFESSION.

AND I'M SURE YOU'LL BRING UP A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS.

BUT PROBABLY RIGHT NOW, THE INSURANCE WILL BE THE -- PROBABLY THE-- IT'S THE BIGGEST THING ON MY RADAR RIGHT NOW FOR OUR TEACHERS.

>> AND REPRESENTATIVE TUNE?

>> WELL, I WILL REITERATE SOMEWHAT OF WHAT SHE SAID.

TEACHERS ARE I THINK THE PRIORITY.

WE HAVE LEFT THE GAP IN OUR PROGRAMS AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE PRIERTS.

THE CAREER LADDER -- PRIORITIES, THE CAREER LADDER AS WE HAVE SPOKEN EARLIER, WE NEED TO DO VALUE THE TEACHERS AT THE BEGINNING TO KEEP THEM IN THE STATE, AS WELL AS FULLY FUND OUR VETERAN TEACHERS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S SOME GAPS AND THE FUNDING, WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH THE MULL IF I TUD OF -- MULTITUDE OF LEVEES, AND WE NEED TO LOOK TO FUND PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT THERE.

ASSUME SCHOOLS, ALL-DAY KINDERGARTENS, IN SOME SCHOOLS.

BUT THAT'S A LOCAL CONTROL.

AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY -- THEY'VE DEEMED IN THEIR DISTRICT AS A -- AUTOMOBILE [INAUDIBLE] >> WE CAN MOVE TO THAT, FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THE GOVERNOR SUPPORTS IT.

THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT RECENTLY SAID SHE SUPPORTED OPTIONAL FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN% FOR AT-RISK KIDS.

DO EITHER OF YOU SEE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN COMING TO THE TABLE THIS YEAR?

WE'LL START WITH REPRESENTATIVE TUNE.

>> I DO.

THIS IS A CONVERSATION WE'VE HEARD FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

OUR STATE IS ONE OF SIX THAT REALLY DOESN'T FUND IT.

MOST SCHOOLS FUND IT OUT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

THEY'RE DONE BY TITLE FUNDS AND/OR SUPPLEMENTALS.

I THINK AT THIS POINT, AGAIN, IF THE LOCAL CONTROL ISSUE ON WHAT WE NEED IN OUR LOCAL DISTRICT.

AND IF THEY THINK ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IS IMPERATIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE THE WAY TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT STORY, REAL QUICK, I REALLY DO THINK WHAT'S GOOD FOR ONE STUDENT, NOT JUST OUR AT-RISK, IS GOOD FOR ALL STUDENTS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, DO YOU SEE IT TOMMING FORWARD THIS YEAR -- COMING FORWARD THIS YEAR?

>> IT WILL PROBABLY COME FORWARD THIS YEAR.

I'M NOT NECESSARILY A FAN.

I RUN -- YOU KNOW, A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE OUR KIDS GO FOUR HOURS A WEEK.

IT'S YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, AN AMAZING PROGRAM.

AND I -- BUT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR PARENT INVOLVED AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR AT-RISK KIDS, WE CERTAINLY SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLORE THAT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CREATIVE THOUGHTS IN HOW TO USE THE MONEY AND ESSENTIALLY TO -- YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST FACTOR OF A KID'S SUCCESS REALLY IS THE PARENTAL██ INVOLVEMENT.

AND SO HOW DO WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO STAY INVOLVED WITH THEIR KIDS, BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

ULTIMATELY SUCCESS DOWN THE LINE.

AND IS THAT JUST -- PUTTING MONEY TO KINDERGARTEN IS NOT WHAT'S GOING TO CREATE THAT SUCCESS.

SO I'M INTERESTED IN RESULTS, AND YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE TUNE THAT IT CERTAINLY IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE LOCAL, BUT REMEMBER, WE'RE ALSO IDAHO.

AND YOU KNOW, IN IDAHO, THERE'S -- WE VALUE A LOT OF THINGS AND THE ONE THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUT, THERE'S THIS IDEA THAT YOU KNOW, MOPS WHO WANT TO STAY HOME AND KEEP THEIR KIDS HOME WITH THEM AND HELP TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH THEM THAT WAY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- THAT OUR IDAHO MOMS KNOW WE VALUE, THAT, TOO.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THIS CONVERSATION GOES AND I'M CERTAINLY WILLING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

BUT YOU KNOW, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, THAT IS GOING TO BE THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS NO MATTER HOW WE SPELL IT OUT, NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF MONEY IS INCLUDED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, DO YOU SUPPORT FUNDING A FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN OPTION?

I WASN'T CLEAR.

>> I BELIEVE MAYBE MORE ALONG THE LINES OF AS HAS BEEN INDICATED EVEN POSSIBLY BY SUPERINTENDENT YBARRA, WHICH IS WHERE WE HAVE AT-RISK KIDS.

I'VE BEEN IN SOME FANTASTIC CONVERSATIONS WITH CHAIRMAN THAIN ON THE SENATE SIDE.

AND AGAIN, THERE'S SOME REALLY CREATIVE APPROACHES.

AND SO I'M MORE FOR THE CREATIVE APPROACHES THAT INVOLVES THE PARENTS IF WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE MORE MONEY FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

>> I WANT TO SHIFT THE CONVERSATION TO CONTENT STANDARDS.

REPRESENTATIVE TUNE, YOU SERVED ON THE SCIENCE STANDARDS COMMITTEE.

>> YES, I DID.

>> CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WHAT YOU SEE MOVING FORWARD FOR CONTENT STANDARDS IN EDUCATION.

>> STANDARDS HAS BEEN PART OF A CNVERSATION IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS SINCE THE LATE 1990s.

STANDARDS ARE SIMPLY A GOAL FOR THE END OF COURSES.

WE USED TO CALL THAT END OF COURSE EXAMS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT STANDARDS, THAT WE USE FOR OUR CLASSROOMS -- KEEP OUR KIDS COMPETITIVE.

[INAUDIBLE] OUR SOCIETY HAS BECOME SO MOBILE THESE DAYS THAT WE REALLY, AS SHE SAID, WE HAVE AN IDAHO WAY BUT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR IDAHO KIDS ARE COMPETITIVE GLOBALLY.

AND THAT'S PART OF OUR EDUCATION.

AS WE SAT ON THE STANDARD, THEY WERE DONE BY TEACHERS ORIGINALLY IN THE 2000s AND THE EARLY 2010s.

WE REWROTE THEM AS WE SHOULD AS TEACHERS.

THEY NEED TO BE UPDATED AS OUR WORLD CHANGES.

AND THAT CONVERSATION NEEDS TO INVOLVE PARENTS, IT NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED, THE PROFESSIONALS AS IN THE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, SOME POST SECONDARY BECAUSE THAT'S ALL PART OF WHAT WE NEED PEOPLE TO KNOW, AND THE SCIENCE STANDARDS WERE REWRITTEN.

WE DIDN'T LIKE THEM IN 2007.

2018 -- 2017.

2018 WE'VE REMIGHT BE THEM.

A LOT OF TEAM -- WE'VE REWRITTEN THEM.

A LOT OF TIME -- CONVERSATIONS WITH EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

IT WAS A CROSS SECTION.

PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS.

[INAUDIBLE] AND THEN THEY WEREN'T QUIET WHERE THE LEGISLATURE -- WRITE WHERE -- QUITE WHERE THE LEGISLATURE WANTED THEM AND WE HAD A DIFFERENT GROUP REVIEW THEM LAST YEAR AND THAT THE WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.

AND SO I REALLY -- I'VE SAID EARLIER, AT THIS POINT, I THINK WE NEED TO GO FORWARD.

WE JUST CAN'T KEEP PUTTING THAT OFF, BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, AT THIS POINT, WILL THEY EVER BE ADOPTED?

THERE IS KNOWING IN THIS WORLD THAT IS PERFECT.

AND AS A RESULT, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A DIRECTION FOR OUR TEACHERS.

WE CAN'T JUST SAY, OH, WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO WORK -- 99% THERE.

YOU KNOW?

WE'VE GOT TO DOCUMENT.

WE'VE GOT TO LET OUR EDUCATION -- WE'RE TEACHING A KIDS, 300,000 KIDS.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME DIRECTION.

AND SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL ADOPT THEM AND NOT WAY LAY IT ANY FURTHER.

>> REPRESENTATIVE EHEART, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE IMPORTANCE OF A, DON'TING NEW CONTENT STANDARDS AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE COMMITTEE WILL TASTE?

>> WELL, -- WILL FACE?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY, NOTHING IS EVER GOING TO BE 100% PERFECT.

NOR EVEN IF IT WAS, TO ONE PERSON, OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT GOING TO BE TO ANOTHER.

AND SO FIRST, THOSE AND AND ESPECIALLY OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO INVESTED THAT TIME, I'M SO APPRECIATIVE.

AND BY SHEER LOCATION, NO DOUBT, AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN IDAHO FALLS.

I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MORE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARSHAL, JUST BY SHEER LOCATION.

AND SO TO BE ABLE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND GO TO, EXAMPLE, THAT ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND TO SEE THAT AT LEAST IN MY OPINION, SOMETHING THAT -- MAYBE WASN'T AS CLEAN TO BE, YOU KNOW, BROUGHT TOWN DO 15 PAGES AND CLEAN CONCISE THAT WORKS FOR THAT SECTION.

NOT -- YOU KNOW, THE STANDARDS FOR SCIENCE, THAT WORKS THERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GET ADOPTED SOME HARD DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HAD, SOME PEOPLE HAVE GONE FORWARD IN GOOD FAITH TO BE INVOLVED.

AND I AGREE.

TIME TO ADOPT THEM AND THERE WILL BE ROOM MORE CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS.

AFTER ALL, WE ARE THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WE LIKE TO DISCUSS.

BUT I FEEL GOOD ABOUT A LOT OF THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE.

SO I I AM PUSHING THAT WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO TO GET THESE ADOPTED.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TUNE, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES MOVING FORWARD?

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE HOUSE ABOUT THE CONCERN OF THE CONTENT STANDARDS AS THEY ARE?

>> WELLS, THERE'S ALWAYS THE CONCERN ARE DO OUR LOCAL WHAT'S THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL.

WHEN WE CHANGE STANDARDS, THAT DOES REQUIRE OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO LOOK AT THEM AND MAKE SURE KRUK LUM IS -- CURRICULUM IS ALIGNED.

WE ALSO HAVE THE I SATES THAT TEST IN THAT REALM.

THERE HAS TO BE -- [INAUDIBLE] THAT CONVERSATION SHOULD HAPPEN TO REALIGN AS WE DON'T THEM.

REALIGN OUR TESTING MECHANISM.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO GET THEM ADOPTED TO MAKE THOSE PROCESSES HAPPEN.

AND YOU KNOW, THE FINANCING END, THEY SAY YOU DON'T -- [INAUDIBLE] IT'S QUITE A BIT WHEN YOU CHANGE READING LEVELS, IF -- WE'VE MOVED TO STANDARD FROM THIRD GRADE TO SECOND GREAT.

THERE'S A LOT TO DO WITH THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE IT FITS IN A CURRICULUM.

NONE OF OUR BOOKS ARE TRULY IN LINE TO IDAHO STANDARDS.

TEACHERS ARE AMAZING IN MAKING IT WORK.

AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE ON BOARD.

AND I FEEL THEY WERE PART OF THE PROCESS.

SO THEY REALLY ARE.

WE'VE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE -- [INAUDIBLE] >> REPRESENTATIVE EHART, REPRESENTATIVE TUNE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THIS.

BUT I DO SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>>> JOINING ME TO DISCUSS ALL THINGS EDUCATION RELATED IS KIFFIN RICHARDS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, LOGAN.

LET'S START -- >> LET'S START WITH THE DEBATE AROUND CONTENT STANDARDS.

THERE'S CONVERSATION TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE STANDARDS.

WALK ME THROUGH THIS FIGHT AND THE YEARS OF HISTORY THAT'S LED UP TO THIS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF HISTORY HERE.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS HAVE BEEN A HOT ISSUE AT THE LEGISLATURE FOR SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE IT'S TIED UP IN SUCH -- YOU KNOW, SENSITIVE CATCHPHRASES LIKE COMMON CORE, BECAUSE THE ENGLISH AND MATH STANDADS IN IDAHO ARE ALIGNED WITH THE LARGER COMMON CORE MOVEMENT.

IT'S IDAHO'S VERSION OF COMMON CORE.

AND W4U GET INTO THE SIGNS -- WHEN YOU GET INTO THE SCIENCE STANDARDS, YOU GET INTO WHAT DO THE STANDARDS GET INTO THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

YOU'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF HOT BUTTON TOPICS FOLDED INTO THESE STANDARDS AND HERE WE GO IN AN ELECTION YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BRING UP THE STANDARDS ISSUE AGAIN.

I EXPECT THIS IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY LONG FIGHT.

>> AND WE'VE GOTY WRITTEN -- GOT REWRITTEN STANDARDS.

REPRESENTATIVE TUNE WAS ON ONE OF THE REWRITE COMMITTEES.

SO THE NEW STANDARDS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN.

WHAT'S THE HOLDUP HERE THAT'S KEEPING THEM FROM BEING IMPLEMENTED?

>> I THINK THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.

OUR LAKE JONES WROTE A STORY AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF IMPATIENCE I THINK IS A FAIR TERM.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU'VE GOT HOUSE -- HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN LANCE PUSHING THE LEGISLATION THAT HE INTRODUCE ADD FEW DAYS AGO.

-- INTRODUCED A FEW DAYS AGO.

HE FEELS IT'S LIME TO MOVE -- TIME TO MOVE ON AND GET THE NEW STANDARDS ONLINE.

>> AND MOVING TOTH ANOTHER TOPIC, THE OTHER BIG DISCUSSION IS THIS BILL ON TEACHERS' INSURANCE.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF LAWMAKERS TELL ME THAT THIS IS A REALLY BIG ISSUE.

THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOG DISTANT THINGS THEY DO FINANCIALLY FOR EDUCATION THIS YEAR.

WHAT IS THE BILL ITSELF ACTUALLY DO?

>> WHAT GOVERNOR LITTLE IS TRYING TO DO AND WE SAW THE FIRST BILL ADDRESSING THIS COME OUT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE HOUSE SIDE EARLIER THIS WEEK.

WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS TRY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE TO PUT EMPLOYEES UNDER THE STATE EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PLAN.

AND ALSO TRY TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FOR SCHOOL WORKERS AS OPPOSED TO STATE WORKERS.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS SAYING WE'RE GIVING SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ABOUT $800 5 WORTH OF AN ALLOWANCE -- THERE ARE 8500 AN ANNOUNCE.

STATE EMPLOYEES GET 12,500.

YOU DO ALL THIS -- [INAUDIBLE] WHY THEY'RE PUSHING SO HARD IS THEY FEEL IF WE DO THIS, THIS IS A PAY RAISE, YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY AFFECTS TAKE HOME PAY FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, MAYBE MORE THE -- MORE THAN THE CAREER LADDER AFFECTS TEACHER SALARIES.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THESE TOPICS THAT'S BEEN KICKING AROUND THE LEGISLATURE FOR YEARS.

IT'S LIKE STANDARDS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN TALKING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU HAVE THAT LONG DISCUSSION.

YOU HAVE THIS LARGE SURPLUS.

SO YOU HAVE THIS CONFLUENCE OF EVENTS AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS COMING UP THIS YEAR.

IT IS A BIG TOPIC.

VERY BIG TOPIC.

>> AND LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THAT SURPLUS, BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS AN IDEA ON HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.

YOU WROTE A COLUMN THIS WEEK, AN ANALYSIS PIECE THAT YOU KNOW HOW THE SESSION IS GOING TO END.

NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE HAPPY.

ANALYSIS THERE?

THROUGH YOUR- >> I THINK WE GOT A FLAVOR OF THAT ON THURSDAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT EVER -- IF I EVER HEARD AS MANY REPUBLICANS BE AS UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT CUTTING TAXES.

I MEAN, THIS $600 MILLION TAX CUT IS NUMERICALLY THE BIGGEST TAX CUT IN STATE HISTORY AND I ALSO KNOW -- PARTY LINE VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

I WOULDN'T IMAGINE MUCH DIFFERENT IN THE SENATE.

BUT YOU SAW A LOT OF ANGST ABOUT THIS FROM DEMOCRATS BUT ALSO FROM CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS SAYING, OKAY, WE CAN DO THIS, BUT I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES.

I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE GROCERY TAX.

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT.

I THINK YOU HAVE SO SO MANY LEGISLATORS AND SO MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THIS SURPLUS MONEY THAT WHETHER IT'S TAX RELATED FOR EDUCATION INITIATIVES, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IS GOING TO GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THOSE LISTS OF WHAT PEOPLE WANT, EARLIER THIS WEEK WAY, WAY BACK ON MONDAY, THE SUPERINTENDENT PRESENTED HER BUDGET TO J FACT.

WHAT SORT OF PRIORITIES DID SHE LAY OUT?

>> I THINK HER BASIC PRIORITIES, IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT A FEW MONTHS LATER.

THE NUMBERS ARE VERY DIFFERENT AND I THINK THAT'S A REFLECTION OF WHAT'S GOING WITH THE SURPLUS.

BACK IN AUGUST WHEN SUPERINTENDENT YBARRA COMMITTED HER BUDGET REQUEST, THE SURPLUS WAS ONLY $POON 1 -- $1.4 BILLION.

NOW IT'S 1.9 BILLION.

SHE HAS DIFFERENT IDEAS WITH ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN, HOW TO ROLL THAT OUT.

DIDN'T GO NEARLY AS BIG IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BUDGETS.

BUT A LOT OF COMMON GROUND BETWEEN THE TWO AS WELL.

>> AND WHAT SORT OF REACTIONS WHETHER BE AT THE SUPERINTENDENT'S BUDGET OR THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, WHAT SORT OF REACTIONS ARE THEY GETTING FROM LAWMAKERS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS INTERESTED IN HEARING ON MONDAY, THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS KIND OF GRILLED ABOUT HER PROPOSAL ON ALSO DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE IN HER ALL-DAY KINDER BILL IS THAT SHE REALLY WANTS TO FOCUS THE MONEY NOT QUITE AS MUCH MONEY, BUT FOCUS IT ON AT-RISK LEARNERS.

AND THAT DREW SOME PUSHBACK FROM REPUBLICAN CRABTREE, DEMOCRAT -- [INAUDIBLE] YOU KNOW, NEITHER HER BILL NOR LITTLE'S IS A COMPREHENSIVE ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT HER BILL DOES NOT GO QUITE AS FAR AS GOVERNOR LITTLE'S PROPOSAL.

IT DOESN'T COST QUITE AS MUCH MONEY, EITHER.

>> YOU SAY THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE'S PROPOSAL GOES FURTHER BUT NOT TO FULL KINDERGARTEN.

WHAT ARE THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THOSE?

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DOLLAR FIGURES.

IT'S ABOUT A 7 MILLION GAP BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PLAN WHICH IS 39 MILLION, LITTLE'S PLAN IS 46, ZERO -- 47 MILLION.

IT WOULD PROVIDE MORE MONEY FOR LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS TO DO WITH WHAT THEY WILL, KIND OF LIKE WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH 26 MILLION OF LITERACY MONEY.

IT COULD BE BE USED FOR ALL-DI KINDERGARTEN.

THE DOLLAR -- ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.

THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS DESIGNED TO COVER ALL-DAY DOIRNTD THE EXTENT THEY MIIT MIGHT ROLL OUT.

BUT SCHOOLS HAVE TO DO THAT.

THEY CAN DO ANYTHING WITH THAT MONEY UNDER THE AUS PUSES OF TRYING -- AUSPICES OF TRYING TO -- IT DOESN'T GET YOU TO ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN EVERY SCHOOL.

>> AND UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD FUND ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS, WHAT STUDENTS FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY?

>> SHE WOULD USE THE READING SCORES AND USE KIND OF THE ROLLING AVERAGE ON READING SCORES, WHICH IS KIND OF A CALCULUS THE STATE HAS USED IN THE PAST TO TRY TO ROLL OUT LITERACY AND MONEY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT JUST A MINUTE LEFT.

ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAS COME UP THIS WEEK IS THIS CONCEPT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION.

THIS MAY BE A NEW TOPIC FOR SOME FOLKS.

CAN YOU BREAK IT DOWN FOR ME?

EXTRACURRICULARS THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING ON TUESDAY.

DOES STUFF BETWEEN DURST, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT'S CANDIDATE, AND ONE OF THE COSPONSORS OF THE BILL THAT DIED IN COMMITTEE, JIM WOODWARD, ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT.

PARENTAL RIGHTS WILL BE ANOTHER HOT BUTTON ISSUE THIS SESSION.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE LEGISLATION ALL GEARED TOWARDS HOW DO WE ADDRESS PARENTAL RIGHTS TO VISIT SCHOOLS, REVIEW ACADEMIC MATERIALS, VETO POWER OVER HEALTH PROCEDURES IN THE SCHOOLS.

THIS ISSUE IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANKS, LOGAN.

>> CHECK OUT THE "IDAHO REPORTS" BLOG AND THIS WEEK'S PODCAST EPISODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BUDGET REQUEST TO BUILD A NEW PRISON AND ISSUES AROUND WOMEN'S IN-CAR RACE.

-- INCARCERATION.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK NEXT WEEK.

♪ ♪ >>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAUR ARMOORE 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.