>> Announcer: PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTING TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THIS WEEK LAWMAKERS GAVE US AN UNPRECEDENTED END TO AN UNPRECEDENTED SESSION.

WE DISCUSS THE UNCERTAINTIES.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK CLARK CORBIN OF THE OHIO COUPED SUNDAY, AND RUTH BROWN OF "IDAHO REPORTS" JOIN THE PUNDITS TO DISCUSSION THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SOME CONSTITUTIONAL UNCERTAINTY OVER HOW IT ENDED.

BUT FIRST, LET'S GET YOU CAUGHT UP ON THE WEEK.

DURING THE LEGISLATURE'S SIX-DAY RECESSION, GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE SIGNED MULTIPLE PIECES OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING A CONTROVERSIAL PROPERTY TAX BILL.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT WITH THE PUNDITS.

>>> BUT ONE BILL THAT WASN'T ON GOVERNOR LITTLE'S DESK WAS A $6 MILLION APPROPRIATION FOR AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT.

THAT'S BEEN HITTING -- SITTING ON THE HOUSE'S READING CALENDAR FOR WEEKS AFTER LAWMAKERS KILLED THE ORIGINAL BILL OVER CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM.

AS THE HOUSE WRAPPED UP ON WEDNESDAY, THE MINORITY LEADER GAVE ONE LAST PLEA TO BRING THAT BILL UP FOR A VOTE.

>> I FEEL THERE HAS BEEN SUCH AN OCEAN OF MISINFORMATION ON THIS AND I THINK YOU ALL KNOW THIS.

WAS A GRANT GIVEN TO US BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AT THE REQUEST OF SENATORS RISH AND CRAPO.

NONE OF THESE FIGURES TRUMP -- NONE OF THEM ARE ADVOCATES FOR SOCIALIST INDOCTRINATION OR ANYTHING OF THE KIND THAT I'VE SEEN.

THESE ARE ALL PRETTY SOLID TRUSTED CONSERVATIVE VOICES IN AMERICA, I THINK.

AND I THINK THE REASON THAT THEY RALLIED BEHIND THIS IS BECAUSE IT'S A VITAL NECESSITY TO THE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN OF IDAHO.

WE ARE ONE OF ONLY FOUR STATES THAT DON'T OFFER THIS CURRENTLY.

AND TO BE CLEAR, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO SUFFERARE THE POOR KIDS.

WEALTHY FAMILIES DO THIS ALREADY.

THEY ARE ALL PAYING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND THEIR KIDS ARE REAPING THE BENEFITS AND THE BENEFITS ARE VERY, VERY SUBSTANTIAL.

THERE ARE VERY MEASURABLE BENEFITS IN TERMS OF MEETING THAT THIRD GRADE LITERACY TARGET AND YOU KNOW, INCREASING LEVELS OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

LOW-CARB LEVELS OF INCARCERATION, IMPROVED LIFE LONG PERFORMANCE.

AND TO THROW THIS AWAY FOR THE POOREST KIDS AND THE POOREST FAMILIES IN OUR STATE IS BREAKING MY HOPE AND I HOPE THERE'S SOME CHANCE TO AVERT THIS, BECAUSE THIS MONEY WILL BE GONE.

>> THAT BILL, 1193, STAYED ON THE READING CALENDAR AND NEVER GOT THAT VOTE.

ON THURSDAY RECORDS HEARD CONFLICTING STORIES ABOUT A POTENTIAL DEAL THAT SENATORS SAY THE HOUSE BACKED OUT ON.

>> ON OUR SECOND READING CALENDAR, THE BUDGET IN ORDER TO GIVE THE HOUSE OFFICE FUNDS SO THAT THEY COULD EXPAND INTO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE.

THE UNDERSTANDING WAS IS THERE WAS A PROMISE FROM THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE IN THE MAJORITY LEADERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD SWAP THOSE AND THEN THE HOUSE JUST SAID, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO SEND 1193 OVER TO THE SENATE.

>> THERE WAS NO DEAL.

THERE WAS NO DEAL.

SO ANYBODY WHO PURPORTS TO HAVE MADE A DEAL ON 1193 IS EITHER MISINFORMED OR CREATING A DALE THAT DID NOT EXIST.

>> AT THE HOUSE MAJORITY PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER JASON MONDAY DOUBTED -- TOUTED HOUSE BILL 389.

AMONG OTHER THINGS THE LAW WOULD INCREASE THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMS BY 25,000 DOLLAR.

GOVERNOR LITTLE SIGNED THAT BILL BUT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THE LEGISLATION WOULD DO ENOUGH.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY IT TAKES A BICAMERAL PLUS THE GOVERNOR TO GET ANYTHING DONE AND THIS IS AS FAR AS AS WE COULD PUSH AS EVIDENCED BY THE LETTER THAT YOU MENTIONED FROM THE GOVERNOR.

WOULD HE HAVE GONE MUCH FURTHER AND WOULD THE SENATE HAVE GONE MUCH FURTHER BASED ON THEIR VOTE I.

IT WAS AS CLOSE AS WE COULD GET.

AS FAR AS WE COULD PUSH THIS YEAR.

BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.

BUT KEEP IN MIND, PROPERTY TAXES IS NOT A FUNCTION OF THE STYLE.

THAT'S A FUNCTION OF YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THAT'S WHERE THE PROPERTY TAXES INCREASES COME FROM.

THEY DON'T COME FROM THE STATE.

AND SO FOR US TO HAVE TO INTERVENE IN THAT IS -- IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> AT A WEDNESDAY PRESS CONFERENCE, BEFORE RECESS, CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS CONSISTED THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FRUSTRATIONS.

>> WE HAVE LOWERED TAXES AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE TAX CUTS ARE A LOT BIGGER THAN THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE NOT BEEN PUSHING FOR GROCERY TAX REPEAL THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

THEY NEEDED TO RAISE THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX CUT IN ORDER TO SQUEEZE OUT ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR GROCERY TAX REPEAL.

THAT DOES NOT TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE, THOUGH.

IT WILL BE A PRIORITY NEXT SESSION AS WELL.

WE WILL KEEP PUSHING FOR GROCERY TAX REPEAL BECAUSE IT'S WHAT IDAHOANS WANT.

WE HAVE TRIED TO PROTECT IDAHOANS' RIGHTS TO HAVE THEIR HEALTH AND VACCINATION FREEDOMS.

WE'VE TRIED TO PROTECT BUSINESSES FROM AN OVERREACHING EXECUTE BRAUNCH AND -- EXECUTIVE BRAN.

>> WE HAVE PUT FORWARD HUNDREDS OF BILLS AND PROPOSALS, PATRIOTS ACROSS IDAHO ARE WAKING UP TO THE PROCESS MORE THAN THEY EVER HAVE IN THE HISTORY OF IDAHO.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO TESTIFY, DRAFTING LEGISLATION, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL IDAHOANS FOR CARING ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT.

BUT WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IS THAT RIGHT NOW, GOVERNMENT IS BROKEN.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS BROKEN.

WE JUST DID A TALLY.

WE HAD MORE THAN 185 PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

MOST OF THOSE, ARE IDEAS, IDEAS FROM YOU, THAT ARE NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THAT IS A BROKEN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> LATER THAT DAY LAWMAKERS WRAPPED UP THEIR BUSINESS WITH THE SENATE ADJOURNING FOR THE SESSION.

THE HOUSE RECESSED A MOVE THEY SAY WILL ALLOW THEM TO CALL THEMSELVES BACK INTO SESSION IF THE NEED ARISES.

SPEAKER BED CAN I ADDRESSED REPORTERS ON THURSDAY.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE'VE KEPT OUR FOOT IN THE DOOR IN CASE THE UNFORESEEN THIS SUMMER.

AND SO IT MAINTAINS OUR CHECKS AND BALANCES SYSTEM.

I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT -- OUR PUTTING ANYTHING INTO EFFECT UNLESS THERE'S ANOTHER BIG CHUNK OF FEDERAL MONEY.

AND WE'RE TALKING A LARGE CHUNK.

>> WHILE REPUBLICANS WERE HAPPY WITH THE TAX CUTS THIS SESSION, DEMOCRATS POINTED TO A LACK OF PROGRESS ON OTHER ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN EDUCATION.

>> THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THE YEAR WITHFINALLY BROUGHT FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN TO IDAHO.

IT WOULD ADDRESS LACKING -- LAGGING LIT LAST PERFORMANCE AND PROPERTY TAX PERFORMANCE.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN THE YEAR WE FINALLY RAISED IDAHO AMONG ITS DISMAL SPOT OF LAST EDUCATION FUNDING.

HIGHER EDUCATION NEVER COVERED FROM THE RECESSION CUTS.

>> DEMOCRATS ALSO DECRY WHAT HAD THEY CALLED THE LACK OF CIVILITY BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

BUT HOUSE MAJORITY HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW.

>> THE EIGHT OF US MET TWO TIMES YESTERDAY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

30, 40 MINUTES, WHEN TIME WAS CRITICAL, JUST SO THAT WE COULD IRON OUT ANY DIFFERENCES, MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD ALL THE DETAILS COVERED, YOU KNOW, MAKES GREAT NEWS TO POINT TO FRICTION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE OR THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THAT'S TENSION, LET'S CALL IT CREATIVE TENSION AT BEST.

IT CAN BE OUTRIGHT HOSTILITY AT WORST AND I THINK WE WERE AT THE CREATIVE TENSION RATHER THAN THE HOSTILITY.

>> YOU CAN WATCH ALL THOSE PRESS CONFERENCES IN THEIR ENTITY -- ENTIRETY ON THE YOUTUBE CHAM.

>>> JOINING ME TO DISCUSS RECESS IS KEVIN RICHARDS.

CLARK CORBIN, AND RUTH BROWN OF "IDAHO REPORTS."

RUTH, THERE WERE WILD DIFFERENCES IN YOU ON LAWMAKERS VIEWED THIS SESSION.

AND THAT'S NOT ABNORMAL DEPENDING ON WHO'S ON THE WINNING SIDE.

BUT IT WAS ESPECIALLY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

>> IT WAS.

I THINK FROM WAS A LITTLE BIT OF OPEN HOSTILITY TOWARDS THE END.

IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE THE DAY AFTER THE SENATE SIGNEE DIED, SENATOR STENET MENTIONED SHE DETERMINED THERE'S NO MEANINGFUL -- MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION THAT PASSED UNTIL THE LAST WEEK, WHEREAS THE DAY AFTER THE HOUSE ADJOURNED, THE SPEAKER TOUTED THE PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION BILL, THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL.

THEY TALKED A BIT ABOUT RESTRICTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

SO YEAH, IT WAS -- IT WAS A DIFFERENT YEAR.

AND I THINK THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'VE COME OUT OF IT WITH TWO VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

>> CLARK, CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THE DIFFERENT VIEWS IN CIVILITY WITH THIS SESSION, BECAUSE FROM WHERE I SAT COVERING IT, IT DID SEEM LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRAUNCH.

HOW -- BRANCH.

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADERSHIP SAID IT WASN'T REALLY THAT TENSE AT ALL.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE WILDLY DIFFERENT VIEWS.

THIS SESSION THAT WE ALL JUST WATCHED TRANSPIRE, WE ALL WATCHED THE SAME THING HAPPEN.

BUT DEPENDING ON WHAT SIDE OF THE POLITICAL AISLE OUR ON, YOU HAVE VERY DIFFERENT -- YOU'RE ON, YOU HAVE VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS.

I THINK IT WAS ON THE DEMOCRAT SENATE PRESS COFERENCE WHERE I WANT TO SAY IT WAS SENATOR MICHELLE STENET TALKED ABOUT HOW WHEN THE SENATORS WENT TO GIVE NOTICE TO THE HOUSE THEY WERE ADJOURNING, SHE SAID THAT HOUSE MEMBERS WHO RECEIVED THEM SAID GO AWAY, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME.

SINCE THEN A REPRESENTATIVE REACHED OUT TO ME AND SHE HAD SHE ASKED THE SENATORS TO HOLD ON.

SHE WAS BRINGING A SENATE RESOLUTION FORWARD, TO WAIT A MINUTE, AND THEN THEY LEFT.

IT DOES SEEM THERE WERE HARD FEELINGS.

NOT ONLY BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WHICH IS USUAL, BUT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

I KNOW KEVIN HAS SEEN THAT SEVERAL TIMES IN RECENT YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE TENSION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, WHETHER OR NOT EVERYONE WILL ADMIT IT, WAS PERHAPS GREATER THIS YEAR THAN IN RECENT YEARS AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT CHAMBERS DISAGREEING ON HOW TO WRAP THE LONGEST SESSION IN STATE HISTORY UP.

>> NO NEW TENSIONS HERE.

I MEAN, IT'S HOUSE VERSUS SENATE.

IT'S CONSERVATIVES VERSUS MODERATES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT'S IF LEGISLATIVE -- LEGISLATIVE BRANCH VERSUS THE EXECUTIVE BRAN.

WE'VE SEEN THIS FOR YEARS.

AS CLARK SAID, IT FELT MORE COMPLAINED, MORE STRIDENT THAN WE'VE SEEN IT IN PAST SESSIONS AND WE SAW IT ON THURSDAY.

ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT WE WERE LISTENING TO HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP PUTTING THE BEST POSSIBLE FACE ON THAT YOU ARE RILINGS SHEP WITH SENATE -- RELATIONSHIP WITH SENATE LEADERSHIP, THEN SENATE LEADERSHIP HAD A POST SESSION NEWS RELEASE WHERE LEE SAID SIMPLY, WE TONIGHT BELIEVE THAT THE STATE -- WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION CALLS FOR A PER PET ACTUALLY MEETING -- PERPETUALLY MEETING LEGISLATURE.

IT WAS A DIG.

I DON'T THINK IT'S AS -- RELATIONSHIPS ARE AS -- ARE AS GOOD AS HOUSE LEADERSHIP MADE IT SOUND.

>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS TALKED ABOUT HOW STRONG THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

BUT THEY MENTIONED BEING CLOSE WITH STAFFERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THEY DID NOT MENTION THE GOVERNOR.

AND IF YOU LOOK TO JANUARY, WHICH SEEMS LIKE FOREVER AGO, GOVERNOR LITTLE HAD THAT PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE HE SAID THAT LEGISLATORS WERE PED LING DISPOSITION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND EMERGENCY ORDERS TO REALIZE POLITICAL GAINS.

THEY TRIED TO PUT A NICE SPIN ON IT THURSDAY BUT I THINK YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK VERY DEEP BENEATH THE SURFACE TO SEE THAT IT WAS A VERY DIVISIVE, VERY DIFFICULT SESSION.

>> ULTIMATELY AT THE END OF THE DAY OF THE -- AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THE LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR DON'T GET ALONG, DOES IT REALLY MATTER TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I MEAN, TO THIS -- EXTENT THAT THEY WANT A FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT, YEAH, SURE.

BUT SOME OF THE -- INNER PARTY TROUBLINGS, INTERBRANCH SQUABBLES ARE MORE INTERESTING FOR PEOPLE LIKE US TO TALK ABOUT THAN REGULAR IDAHOANS, BUT IT'S PARTICULARLY TELLING ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH THESE THINGS AND WHEN OUR CONSTITUTION DOES PROVIDE FOR THREE COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMNT.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS IDEA OF A FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT FOR A SECOND.

UNCHARTED TERRITORY AS FAR AS THE SENATE ADJOURNING FOR THE SESSION.

WHILE THE HOUSE MEANWHILE, RECESSED, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN CALL THEMSELVES BACK AT ANY TIME.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE.

>> AT ANY TIME.

AND BASICALLY FOR ANY REASON.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD SEVERAL DIFFERENT POSSIBLE REASONS, THE MOST -- YOU KNOW, ONE BEING THE ARPA FUNDING.

HOUSE MEMBERS WANTING TO HAVE MORE OF A COMMAND OVER HOW THAT BIG SUM OF FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY IS SPENT.

BUT AS CLARK NOTED IN HIS STORY THE OTHER DAY, YOU HAVE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE LIKE BRIAN CRANE TALKING ABOUT MEETING OR COMING BACK FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS THAT REALLY SEEM FAIRLY FAR AFIELD FROM IDAHO ISSUES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CRANE TOLD ME THE REASON THEY COULDN'T COME BACK, THERE'S NATIONAL REASONS, INTERNATIONAL REASONS.

HE TALKED ABOUT UNREST IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE GAS SHORTAGE.

ON THE EAST COAST.

AND SO I CAN'T REALLY SEE THE ROLE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IN IDAHO WOULD PLAY IN ADDRESSING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BUT PERHAPS.

BUT IT DID -- THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN SCOTT STANDING AND UP SAYING, HERE AS WE STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF MAY, I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY, WHEREAS REPRESENTATIVE CRANE IN FAIRNESS IS NOT THE SPEAKER BUT SAID THERE'S ALL KINDS OF REASONS THAT WE CAN CALL OURSELVES BACK IN SESSION.

WE WANT TO HAVE THIS AUTHORITY AND REPRESENTATIVE CRANE TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T WANT TO ADJOURN THE SESSION IN 2020 A YEAR AGO.

>> AND WE'VE HEARD THAT REPEATEDLY FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, ISSUED A LETTER ABOUT WHETHER THE HOUSE RECESSING AND DEFINITELY WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC FROM A CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

AND BASICALLY, RUTH, BRIAN CAIN SAID WE'RE NOT ENTIRELY SURE.

>> RIGHT.

THEY'RE NOT ENTIRE SURE ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD MEAN IF THE HOUSE CAME BACK.

THERE IS SOME LEGAL PRESS SENT TO -- PRESS DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT ONE CHAMBER CANNOT BE IN SESSION WITHOUT THE OTHER FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS.

SO IN A HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO, IN THE -- IF THE HOUSE CALLED THEMSELVES BACK, ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES, ALL 70 SHOWED UP, AND IF THEY STAYED FOR THREE DAYS, THE SENATE MAY HAVE TO COME BACK EVEN THOUGH THE SENATE ALREADY SIGNEE DIED.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT -- HOUSE CAN'T PASS A BILL ALONE.

THEY CAPITAL MAKE A LAW ALONE.

THEY NEED THE SENATE IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE A FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT.

SO LIKE IT OR NOT -- >> BUT AND HERE'S ONE QUIRKY LITTLE THING ABOUT THIS RECESS AND THIS UNCHARTED TERRITORY THAT WE ARE IN.

THIS $6 MILLION EARLY EDUCATION GRANT BILL, TECHNICALLY THE HOUSE NEVER REALLY DID ANYTHING WITH IT.

TECHNICALLY IT IS SITTING ON A THIRD READING CALENDAR THAT IS A THIRD READING CALENDAR IN PERPETUITY.

IF THE HOUSE CALLS ITSELF BACK IN RECESS, TECHNICALLY THAT BILL IS STILL ON THE THIRD READING CALENDAR.

IT IS STILL FAIR GAME.

NOW, THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THE HOUSE WOULD BRING IT UP WHEN -- WHEN SCOTT BEDKE TALKED ABOUT THAT BILL ON THURSDAY.

HE WAS EMPHATIC, THE VOTES AREN'T THERE.

MADE IT CLEAR IN HIS VIEW, THE BILL ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE.

BUT IT'S SITTING THERE.

AND WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS.

>> YOU KNOW, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STATE OF EDUCATION AND HOW EDUCATION LEADERS ARE LOOKING AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH EDUCATION THIS SESSION?

WHAT STATE ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HIGHER ED GOING TO BE IN THIS UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR?

>> I CALLED IT A SESSION OF STALEMATE.

IT'S NOT THE STALEMATE WE'VE SEEN BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, CONSERVATIVES AND MODERATES, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANFUL.

I THINK WHAT KIND -- BRANCH.

I THINK ASSESSING, I DON'T THINK THERE WERE ANY CLEAR VICTORS HERE.

GOVERNOR LITTLE GOT ANOTHER ROUND OF FUNDING FOR THE -- THAT COVERS TWO YEARS OF SALARY INCREASES FOR TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY WERE LEFT OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE GOT SOME MONEY FOR SUMMER READING PROGRAMS FOR SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE LEARNING LOSS THAT WE'VE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT HE HAD TO SWALLOW A LOT.

YOU KNOW, HE HAD TO -- YOU KNOW, WRITE OFF THAT $6 MILLION EARLY EDUCATION GRANT THAT HE REALLY WANTED.

HE HAD TO ABSORB 2.5 MILLION IN HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS.

NOW, THAT WERE -- YOU KNOW, TARGETED AT SOME KIND OF SOCIAL JUSTICE EXPENDITURE ON THE CAMPUS.

IT'S NEVER REALLY CONNECTED TO A DIRECT SERIES OF COSTS, SERIES OF EXPENSES ON THE CAMPUS, AND HE HAD TO SIGN HOUSE BILL ANTIINDOCTRINATION LAW.

WE SAW HIS TRANSMIDDLE LETTER WHERE HE LISTED A LOT OF CONCERNS WITH THE WAY IN A BILL UNFOLDED AND THE DEBATE.

AND WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT HE WAS VERY -- YOU KNOW, HE FOUND IT VERY UNSETTLING THE WAY THE DEBATE WENT AND HE WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE INSINUATION THAT TEACHERS WERE INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY HAD NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN INTOCK TRINNATING STUDENTS.

-- INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS.

A LOT OF BILLS THAT THEY WANTED THEY DIDN'T GET, WHERE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT GUNS IN SCHOOLS OR SEX EDUCATION OR A BILL THAT WOULD REALLY CHANGE THE TEACHER NEGOTIATION PROCESS, THE UNION NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT CONSERVATIVES WANTED ON EDUCATION.

THEY DIDN'T GET.

AND THEY DIDN'T GET IT BECAUSE THE SENATE KILLED MOST OF THESE BILLS.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE FROM WHERE I WAS SITTING, THE HOUSE MAJORITY REPUBLICANS REALLY HAD A SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

THEY HAD A LOT OF BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS, RUTH, INCLUDING A BIG TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE AND TWO HUGE TAX CUT BILLS.

>> INDEED.

IT WAS THREE 98 THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT -- 398 THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY TAX -- SIGNIFICANT IS A STRETCH.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO'S LOOKING AT IT.

>> YEAH.

I STOPPED MYSELF WITH THAT.

IT IS A PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION AMONG OTHER THINGS.

IT WILL INCREASE THE HOMEOWNERS' EXEMPTION BY ABOUT $25,000.

THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN IT.

BUT HE EXPRESSED IN HIS TRANSMIDDLE LETTER SIGNIFICANT CONCERN -- TRANSMIDDLE LETTER SIGNIFICANT CONCERN HOW EFFECTIVE IT WOULD BE REGARDING GROWTH BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT IT WAS DONE SORT OF IN THE LESS WEEK OF A 122-DAY SESSION.

THEY PICKED UP THE TROT TAX BILL IN THE LAST WEEK, WHICH I THINK RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

THE BILL WASN'T POSTED ONLINE FOR A LONG TIME.

THE CITIES HAD CONCERNS ABOUT IT ABOUT HOW IT WOULD AFFECT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PROPERTY TAXES.

SO WHILE YES, THEY WERE -- THEY DID SEE IT I BELIEVE AS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, THERE WERE CONCERNS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

HOWEVER, HE DID SIGN IT.

>> AND THAT WAS KIND OF A PREVAILING THEME THIS SESSION, CLARK.

WE SAW A LOT OF TRANSMITTLE LETTERS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN VETO LETTER.

>> I THINK THE EDITORIAL PAGE HAD FUN WITH THAT.

WHETHER IT WAS THE EMERGENCY POWERS BILLS, WHETHER THE PROPERTY TAX BILL THAT RUTH JUST MENTIONED, WHETHER IT WAS I THINK 377 -- ON A NUMBER OF THOSE LETTERS, IF YOU DELETED THE WORD "SIGN "AND WROTE "SECRET SERVICEO" IT WOULD HAVE MADE SENSE IN CONTEXT.

IF THE GOVERNOR HAD ALL THESE CONCERNS WITH THIS LEGISLATION AND, IN SOME CASES INDICATING IT MAY GO TO COURTS ON SOME OF THE BILLS, BUT HE STILL SIGNED THEM INTO LAW.

I THINK MAYBE THAT REFLECTS A LITTLE BIT OF THE POLITICAL MANEUVERING, WHETHER THAT INVOLVED GETTING THE BUDGETS TO MOVE FORWARD, YOU KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, BUT YEAH, IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING.

IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE LETTERS AND ALL THE CONCERNS THE GOLFER LISTED -- GOVERNOR LISTED, BUT HE SIGNED THEM INTO LAW BUT IT'S INTERESTING TO PICK OUT THAT.

>> AS YOU SPOKE TO GOVERNOR LITTLE, DID YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS?

HE HAD SO MANY CONCERNS THIS SESSION.

DID HE REALLY HAVE THE POLITICAL POWER TO SHIFT A LOT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS MORE THAN HE DID?

>> I THINK ON HOUSE BILL 377, THE INDONE TRINNATION BILL, I ASKED HIM ABOUT IT IN SOME DETAIL.

I WANTED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT ON SEVERAL LEVELS.

HIS CONCERN HE SAID WAS REALLY MORE ABOUT THE DIALOGUE AND THE INSINUATION THAT INDOCTRINATION WAS WIDESPREAD IN THE SCHOOLS.

HE SAID AS I LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION, AS I LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE IN THE LEGISLATION, I DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

AND IF IT'S PREEMPTIVE, IF IT'S A RESPONSE TO WHAT'S BEING DISCUSSED IN OTHER STATES OR WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WELL, WE DO THAT IN THE STATEHOUSE FROM TIME TO TIME.

THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL.

BUT I THINK YOUR POINT ABOUT HIS POLITICAL STRENGTH ON THAT ISSUE IN PARTICULAR, I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE THE INDOCTRINATION DEBATE IS CERTAINLY NOT GOING AWAY.

MAY 27, JANICE CONVENES HER FIRST MEETING OF HER TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT IT.

NO SECRET THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR McGUILLEN ARE POLITICAL ADVERSARIES.

I ASKED GOVERNOR LITTLE ABOUT THAT TASK FORCE AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, IF TEACHERS AND PARENTS REALLY HAVE A SAY IN THIS AND REALLY CAN PARTICIPATE, MAYBE WE CAN LEARN SOMETHING.

AND I ASKED HIM POINT BLANK, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THIS FANTASTIC.

AND -- THIS FANTASTIC.

AND -- THIS TASK FORCE, AND HE SAID WE'LL SEE.

>> WHERE CAN PEOPLE LISTEN TO THAT?

>> THE PODCAST WENT LIVE FRY MORNING.

YOU CAN GET THE LINK OFF OF OUR PAGES.

>> FANTASTIC.

CLARK.

YOU DID A STORY WERE HOW THE EXTENDED BLESSIVE SESSION WAS COSTING -- LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS COSTING TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY.

HOW MUCH MONEY?

>> I FILED A PUBLIC REQUESTS -- RECORDS REQUEST WITH THE STATE.

LOOKING AT THE COSTS APRIL 6 THROUGH MAY 2nd.

I LOOKED AT THE PER DIEM THAT LEGISLATORS ARE TAKING HOME.

THEIR TRAVEL AND VOUCHERED EXPENSES AS WELL AS THE COST FOR STAFFERS, HELPING OUT WITH THE SESSION.

WE'RE TALKING ALMOST $450,000 BETWEEN APRIL 6 AND MAY 2.

WE'RE TALKING ROUGHLY $100,000 A WEEK TO HAVE THE LEGISLATURE BACK IN SESSION.

THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF OF THE SESSION, THINGS WERE MOVING AT A FRENZIEDPATION.

BUT IF YOU -- FRENZIED PACE.

BUT WHEN WE CAME BACK APRIL 6, LEGISLATORS STARTED KILLING BUDGETS.

THE HOUSE WAS MEETING FOR MAYBE A COUPLE HOURS A DAY ON THE MORNING.

THE SENATE WAS WORKING MORNING, AFTERNOON, AND NIGHT.

BUT THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS, WERE NOT PRODUCTIVE AT ALL.

DID NOT MOVE CLOSER TO AJIEWMPLET.

MOOCHED FARTHER FROM AJIEWMPLET.

AND THE IDAHO TAXPAYERS ARE ON THE LOOK FOR ALMOST $450 NOW, FOR EXPENSES YOU KNOW, SINCE THAT FIRST RECESS COMING BACK ON APRIL 6.

>> YOU SAY THAT THESE WEREN'T NECESSARILY PRODUCTIVE DAYS OR WEEKS AT THE LEGISLATURE, BUT WE KNOW LAWMAKERS WERE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

SOME OF THAT WORK WASN'T NECESSARILY IN PUBLIC OR MAYBE APPARENT, BUT THEY WEREN'T ALL SITTING IN THEIR CUBE BALANCES IN THE BASEMENT.

>> -- CUBICALS IN THE BASEMENT.

>> BUT FRANKLY WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ANY OF THEM WERE DOING.

AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES IN SESSION IN RECESS WHATEVER.

SO I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THEY WERE NOT TAKING UP BILLS ON THE THIRD READING CALENDAR IN THE HOUSE IS THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE, AND LEGISLATORS WERE -- AND IDAHO TAXPAYERS WERE PLAYING -- PAYING $100,000 A WEEK FOR THAT.

>> AND THERE WERE A LOT OF BUDGETS AND BILLS ON THE THIRD READING CALENDAR SITTING FOR A LONG TIME.

ABSOLUTELY.

RUTH, SHIFTING GEARS A LITTLE BIT, WE HAVE ABOUT THREE MINUTES LEFT.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE SCHEDULED EXECUTION OF GERALD PIZUTEO.

CAN YOU REMIND US ABOUT THIS CASE AND WHY IT'S SO NOTABLE THAT THE SCHEDULED EXECUTION DATE IS COMING NOW?

>> YEAH.

IT IS NOTABLE TO SAY THE LEAST.

JERRY HAS BEEN ON DEATH ROW FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS.% HE WAS CONVICTED OF TWO COUNTS OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN IDAHO COUNTY.

HE IS -- HIS ATTORNEYS HAVE FILED A PLEA FOR MERCY.

THEY CALL IT COMMUTATION.

AND THIS PROCESS GOES THROUGH THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLING AND THE BOARD WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR.

AND THE GOVERNOR CAN GLANT OR NOT GRANT THAT.

WHAT MAKES THIS CASE UNIQUE, I THINK, HE'S TERMINALLY ILL.

HE HAS BLADDER CANCER.

HE HAS HEART CONDITIONS.

HE'S WHEELCHAIR BOUND.

HE TAKES A LOT OF DIFFERENT MEDICATION.

I THINK IN 2019 HIS PHYSICIAN ESTIMATED HE ONLY HAD ABOUT A YEAR TO LIVE.

AND SO HE'S OUTLIVED THAT.

BUT HE'S A VERY ILL MAN.

AND SO IT IS UNIQUE THAT THE STATE IS PURSUING AT THIS POINT EXECUTION.

HIS ATTORNEYS ARE LARGELY ASKING THE STATE TO JUST ALLOW THIS MAN TO LIVE OUT THE REST OF HIS NATURAL LIFE.

THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR RELEASE.

THEY'RE ASKING FOR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

>> AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST EXECUTION IN IDAHO THAT YOU'VE COVERED.

IN FACT, YOU COVERED TWO, ONE IN 2011, ONE IN 2012.

AND EXECUTIONS AREN'T A CHEAP THING FOR THE STATE TO CARRY OUT.

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

IN 2014OPE DID A STUDY ON THE COST OF LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE VERSUS THE COST OF THE DEATH PENALTY.

AND IT IS MUCH, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TO EXECUTE PEOPLE.

THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND LETHAL INJECTION SPECIFICALLY.

LETHAL INJECTION IS THE ONLY FORM OF EXECUTION THAT IDAHO DOES.

SO IT IS DRAMATICALLY MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF LETHAL INJECTION, THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE LAST EXECUTION THAT IDAHO CARRIED OUT IN WHICH THE STATE COULDN'T PROCURE THE DRUGS USED TO END SOMEBODY'S LIFE.

>> SURE.

AND IT DOES GET EXTREMELY COMPLICATED.

THE FDA DOES NOT MONITOR -- I SUPPOSE IT'S MEDICATION, BUT MEDICATION THAT IS USED TO END A HUMAN LIFE.

THEY DON'T MONITOR IT BECAUSE THEIR ROLE IS TO PRODUCE MEDICATION THAT IS HELP PEOPLE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER -- MEDICATIONS THAT HELP PEOPLE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, ALSO IT'S COMPLICATED WITH -- OBTAINING THOSE MEDICATIONS.

YOU CAN'T JUST GET A PRECIPITATION FROM -- PRESCRIPTION FROM A PHYSICIAN BECAUSE PHYSICIANS HAVE TAKEN A HIPPOCRATIC OATH TO DO NO HARM.

SO TO PRESCRIBE A MEDICATION THAT IS GOING TO KNOWINGLY END A HUMAN LIFE IS PROBLEMATIC.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY.

RUTH BROWN, "IDAHO REPORTS," CLARK CORBIN, KEVIN RICHARD.

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