>> 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 CORPORATIONS OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND THAT MEANS CAMPAIGNING AND REPUBLICAN INFIGHTING IS RAMPING UP FOR THE FINAL SPRINT TO THE POLLS.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK, DIVISION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR ALEX JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET SURPLUS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND THEN BETSY RUSSELL AND KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON HOTTEST LEGISLATIVE RACES, REPUBLICAN INFIGHTING AND THE LAST MINUTE CAMPAIGN RUSH BEFORE TUESDAY'S PRIMARY.

BUT FIRST, AFTER LAST WEEK'S NEWS OF A LEAKED DRAFT OF A U.S. SUPREME COURT OPINION THAT WOULD OVERTURN ROE V. WADE, SOME CANDIDATES IN IDAHO FEEL THE LAW DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

SHOULD THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURN ROE V. WADE?

IDAHO HAS A LAW THAT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT THAT WOULD CRIMINALIZE NEARLY ALL ABORTIONS WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST AND THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JANICE MCGEACHIN SAID THIS WEEK THAT GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL ABORTION BAN BY ELIMINATING THOSE EXEMPTIONS AND SUGGESTING THE STATE SHOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW.

MCGEACHIN CHALLENGING LITTLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR.

IN A STATEMENT ON MONDAY, THE MCGEACHIN CAMPAIGN SAID "NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE MURDERED BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HIS OR HER CONCEPTION.

LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND SUCH LIFE MUST BE PROTECTED WITH THE SAME LEGAL STATUS AFFORDED TO ALL OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.

ANY EFFORT TO TERMINATE LIFE ONCE CONCEPTION HAS OCCURRED MUST BE REGARDED AS LEGALLY EQUIVALENT TO AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE LIFE OF ANY OTHER IDAHOAN."

MEANWHILE, SOME IDAHO EMPLOYERS INCLUDING AMAZON AND CHOBANI HAVE SAID THEY WILL PAY FOR TRAVEL FOR EMPLOYEES WHO GO OUT OF STATE FOR ABORTIONS.

IDAHO U.S.

SENATORS JIM RISCH AND MIKE CRAPO HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PREVENT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES' HOME ADDRESSES FROM BEING LISTED PUBLICLY ON LINE.

THAT COMES AFTER PROTESTS OUTSIDE OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES' HOMES FOLLOWING THE LEAKED DRAFT OPINION ON ROE V. WADE.

IDAHO STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED TO PASS SIMILAR LEGISLATION TO LIMIT PROTESTS OUTSIDE PUBLIC OFFICIALS' HOMES AFTER A SERIES OF DEMONSTRATIONS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

BUT THOSE BILLS DID NOT MOVE FORWARD.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE SIMPSON HAS SIGNED ON TO A LETTER TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ASKING THEM TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF BABY FORMULA.

THE SHORTAGE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR WEEKS DUE TO RECALLS AND THE F.D.A.

HAS SAID IT IS WORKING TO ALLEVIATE THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

HERE IN IDAHO, THAT SHORTAGE IS AFFECTING FAMILIES STATEWIDE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO RELY ON WIC AS THEY CAN'T USE THOSE WIC BENEFITS TO ORDER FORMULA ON LINE.

THAT'S LEFT SOME RURAL IDAHO FAMILIES DRIVING TO MULTIPLE TOWNS TO TRY TO FIND FORMULA.

IDAHO REPORTS REACHED OUT TO IDAHO'S PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICTS WHO SAID IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING FORMULA, CALL YOUR PEDIATRICIAN'S OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY HAVE SAMPLES.

AND TRY CALLING STORES BEFORE DRIVING THERE.

DON'T WATER DOWN FORMULA TO STRETCH IT OUT.

AND DON'T MAKE HOMEMADE FORMULA.

BOTH OF THOSE CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR BABIES.

IF YOUR BABY IS OLD ENOUGH, CHECK WITH THEIR DOCTOR BEFORE INTRODUCING SOLID FOODS OR MILK.

AND IF YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH AND ARE ON THE FENCE ABOUT NURSING VS.

FORMULA, WIC HAS RESOURCES TO HELP WITH BREAST-FEEDING IF YOU'RE ABLE INCLUDING IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS WITH LACTATION CONSULTANTS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT FOR INFORMATION.

ON TUESDAY, IDAHO'S DIVISION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCED APRIL TAX REVENUES FOR THE STATE FIRST TIME IN IDAHO HISTORY.- DIVISION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT JOINED ME ON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE STATE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CAN YOU GIVE US THE LATEST ON THOSE REVENUES?

>> SO THEY JUST RELEASED THE APRIL REVENUE NUMBERS FOR THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND.

AND ANY STATE, APRIL IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE LARGEST REVENUE MONTH.

IT'S WHEN INCOME TAX FILINGS COME IN SO IT REALLY HAS A CHANCE TO MAKE OR BREAK YOUR BUDGET.

AND THIS YEAR, WE HIT A STATE RECORD.

IT'S THE FIRST MONTH IN STATE HISTORY THAT WE COLLECTED OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE IN A SINGLE MONTH.

SO JUST FOR CONTEXT, JUST TWO YEARS AGO, THE ENTIRE STATE'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET WAS $4 BILLION SO TO COLLECT A QUARTER OF THAT IN A SINGLE MONTH JUST DEFIES ANY REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS.

>> THAT'S MUCH MORE THAN YOU HAD ANTICIPATED?

>> IT IS, YEAH.

SO YOU FORECAST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN JANUARY, THE GOVERNOR DEBUTS HIS REVENUE FORECAST AND THEN APRIL REALLY IS THE MAKE OR BREAK MONTH.

SO FOR REVENUE TO COME IN AS HOT AS IT DOES, IT REALLY IS SUGGESTIVE OF A RED HOT ECONOMY IN IDAHO.

>> AND I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE FACTORS IN THOSE REVENUES.

IT WAS THE RESULT OF A FORECAST THAT WAS A SEVERE UNDERESTIMATION OR WAS IT THE RED HOT ECONOMY OR A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH?

>> WELL, I THINK TO START OFF, APRIL AGAIN IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY INCOME TAX FILINGS SO IT'S BOTH INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX AS WELL AS CORPORATE INCOME TAX.

AND THEY EXCEEDED FORECASTS BY ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE.

SO I THINK IT'S HIGHLY SUGGESTIVE OF RISING INCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS STRONG BUSINESS PROFITS.

I THINK THE WAY GOVERNOR LITTLE HAS MANAGED THE ECONOMY HAS SUBSTANTIALLY HELPED WITH THE ECONOMIC REBOUND.

IN TERMS OF FORECASTING, THE STATE GENERALLY SEES A SURPLUS COME IN OVER THE FORECAST.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE STATE HAS A BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT.

BOTH CONSTITUTIONALLY AND STATUTORILY SO IF WE ADOPT A FORECAST THAT'S HIGH AND REVENUE COMES IN LOW, THAT MEANS YOU'RE DOING HOLDBACKS OR CUTBACKS AND THAT CAN BE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO AGENCY PROGRAMS AS WELL AS CITIZENS WHO RELY ON THOSE PROGRAMS.

SO OFTENTIMES, THEY DO FORECAST CONSERVATIVELY.

>> SO WITH THIS BUMP IN REVENUE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE STATE MOVING INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

>> SO THE STATE IS ON PACE TO END THIS FISCAL YEAR WHICH ENDS ON JUNE 30TH WITH A SURPLUS BETWEEN $1.2 AND $1.3 BILLION.

AS WITH ANY FORECAST, IT CAN GO UP OR DOWN.

IT DOES APPEAR WE WILL END THE YEAR WITH A HEALTHY SURPLUS FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR.

>> YOU KNOW, DO WE KNOW YET HOW THAT NEW INCOME TAX BILL THAT WAS PASSED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION HISTORIC TAX BREAKS FOR IDAHOANS, DO WE KNOW YET HOW THAT WILL AFFECT REVENUES IN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

>> YEAH, SO INCOME TAXES, YOU ALWAYS FIND OUT ABOUT THE CUT THE YEAR AFTER BECAUSE IT SHOWS UP IN FILINGS SO TO START OFF WITH LAST YEAR, GOVERNOR LITTLE CUT TAXES.

HE CUT THE TOP RATE FROM 6.925% DOWN TO 6.5% AND THAT WAS PROJECTED TO CUT ABOUT $180 MILLION OF TAXES.

THAT'S WHAT WE SAW IN THE FINAL PART OF THE YEAR.

HE DID CUT TAXES AGAIN THIS YEAR FROM 6.5% DOWN TO 6%.

THAT WAS PROJECTED TO CUT ABOUT $250 MILLION IN TAXES IN THE NEXT YEAR.

IT'S SAFE TO SAY BASED ON WHAT WE SAW IN TERMS OF INCOME TAX FILINGS THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR'S TAX CUT IS GOING TO EXCEED THAT.

BUT BASED ON THE GROWTH WE'VE HAD, THE BUDGET IS STILL STRUCTURALLY BALANCED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BASED ON THE NEW PROJECTIONS MOVING FORWARD.

LITTLE HAS HAD TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF LARGEST TAX CUTS IN STATE HISTORY AND WE'RE STILL SEEING THIS REVENUE COME IN.

>> HE ALSO SAID THIS WEEK THAT ASSUMING HE WINS RE-ELECTION THAT HE'S EYEING TAX CUTS FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ANY IDEA WHAT THOSE MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> CERTAINLY PAST HIS PROLOGUE.

FOLKS HAVE WATCHED GOVERNOR LITTLE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS KNOW HE'S DONE RECORD TAX CUTS, RECORD INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY IN TEACHER PAY AND COMPENSATION AS WELL AS RECORD INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE IT COUNTS, ROADS, BRIDGES, AIR, RAIL, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, PARK TRAILS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A STRETCH TO THINK YOU'D SEE THE GOVERNOR PURSUE MORE OF THAT.

THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE, THE GOVERNOR HAS FOCUSED HEAVILY ON INCOME TAX CUTS AND HE'S GOTTEN THE RATE DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY.

BUT HE'S ALSO DONE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

HE'S ALSO DONE CREDITS FOR FOOD AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE ALSO DID A $60 MILLION CUT THIS YEAR FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES.

SO GOVERNOR IS REALLY FOCUSED ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE AREAS WHERE IT MATTERS MOST FOR IDAHOIANS.

>> IS GROCERY TAX ON THE TABLE?

>> GOVERNOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLEAR IF THAT GETS TO HIS DESK, HE WOULD SIGN IT.

>> HOW DOES FEDERAL INFLATION PLAY INTO THE STATE'S FISCAL PICTURE?

>> YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND IS THE RECORD APRIL NUMBERS WE SAW ARE BASED ON INCOME TAX FOR FOLKS FROM LAST YEAR.

SO MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE FACING A LOT OF STORM CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON.

THERE'S RECORD FEDERAL INFLATION THAT IT HASN'T BEEN THIS HIGH IN 40 YEARS.

SOARING ENERGY COSTS.

YOU HAVE GEOPOLITICAL STRIFE INTERNATIONALLY.

THERE'S JUST A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE MAKING FOLKS NERVOUS.

AND THE STATES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL ARE THOSE THAT HAVE DONE STEPS LIKE GOVERNOR LITTLE HAS TAKEN.

THE RAINY DAY FUNDS AND WE HAVE THE LARGEST BALANCE IN A RAINY DAY FUND IN STATE HISTORY.

WE'RE OVER A BILLION DOLLARS WHICH IS 20% OF OUR REVENUE HE PAID OFF STATE BUILDING DEBT.

HE PUT MONEY INTO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE TO LOWER THE OUT YEAR COSTS FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN MAINTAINING CRITICAL STATE ASSETS.

SO THE STATES THAT WILL FAIR THE BEST IS THE STATES THAT TOOK THE KITCHEN TABLE ECONOMIC STEPS THAT GOVERNOR LITTLE HAS TAKEN.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME VIEWERS WHO ARE LISTENING WHO HAVE READ COVERAGE ABOUT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MCGEACHIN'S BUDGET SHORTFALLS THIS YEAR WHICH ARE PROJECTED TO BE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SURPLUS OF MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

WHY CAN'T THE STATE JUST COVER THAT?

IT'S A FRACTION OF 1%.

>> SO CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE STATE HAS A BALANCED BUDGET REQUIREMENT, AND THEN IN STATUTE, IT APPLIES TO EACH INDIVIDUAL AGENCY INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

AGENCIES CANNOT SPEND THEIR APPROPRIATION.

HOWEVER, APPROPRIATIONS ARE SET BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND THEN PASSED BY BOTH BODIES.

THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MODIFY THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT WERE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN INSTANCES LIKE THIS.

SO WHILE THE STATE IS ON PACE FOR RECORD SURPLUS, RESULTS VARY BY INDIVIDUAL AGENCY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER WHICH MEANS THAT CAMPAIGN SPENDING AND ATTACKS ARE RAMPING UP.

DISCUSSING THAT WITH ME TODAY ARE KEVIN RICHERT FROM IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS AND BETSY RUSSELL FROM THE IDAHO PRESS.

KEVIN, THERE ARE SO MANY PRIMARY RACES THAT -- AND ONLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THERE'S NOT A SINGLE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE PRIMARY ON THE BALLOT ON TUESDAY.

WHAT RACES ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING?

>> WELL, ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS STATEWIDE RACES, THERE ARE SO MANY LEGISLATIVE PRIMARIES THAT ARE REALLY INTERESTING THAT COULD REALLY SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I MEAN, YOU START IN NORTH IDAHO WITH REALLY, REALLY SPENDY RACE IN DISTRICT ONE, SENATE RACE, THE INCUMBENT.

THE CHALLENGER, HAD REPUBLICAN TIES.

ALL THE WAY DOWN TO DISTRICT 35 IN THE EASTERN CORRIDOR OF THE STATE.

CHAD CHRISTIANSON HAS A REALLY, YOU KNOW, REALLY SPENDY CHALLENGE.

YOU KNOW, ALL UP AND DOWN THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THERE ARE -- I'VE IDENTIFIED PROBABLY CLOSE TO 20 LEGISLATIVE RACES THAT ARE REALLY INTERESTING.

>> DEFINITELY BE KEEPING MY EYE ON THAT.

DISTRICT ONE RACE WITH WOODWARD AND HERNDON AND CERTAINLY WITH CHAD CHRISTIANSON AND HIS CHALLENGER, WHEELER.

BETSY, YOU HAVE A WHOLE LIST THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING.

ARE FOUR RACES THAT BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING FEATURE INCUMBENT VS.

INCUMBENT SO WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE CHANGE OUT OF THOSE.

SOME OF THOSE ARE REALLY SIGNIFICANT.

SENATORS ABBEY LEE AND JIM RICE ARE FACING OFF IN THE PRIMARY WITH TWO OTHER CANDIDATES.

REPRESENTATIVES JUDY BOYLE AND SCOTT SIGN, ONLY ONE OF THEM WILL SURVIVE.

TO BE ELECTED AGAIN.

SENATORS ARE FACING OFF.

AND REPRESENTATIVE JOHN AND GREG FURCH.

ALL OF THESE ARE CONTESTS DIRECTLY IMPACTED AND CREATED BY REDISTRICTING BUT THEY TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING TO CHANGE WITH EXISTING IN SOME CASES LONG TIME LEGISLATORS WHO WILL BE GONE.

>> THE FIRST ONE THAT YOU MENTIONED IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH SENATORS LEE AND JIM RICE.

ONE OF THEM IS IN LEADERSHIP.

ONE OF THEM IS THE SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TAXATION CHAIR.

BOTH PROMINENT AND POWERFUL MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

AND ONE OF THEM AT LEAST IS NOT COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

AND THAT'S AN INTERESTING DISTRICT.

THAT'S ALSO HOME OF THE JUDY BOYLE, SCOTT SIME RACE WHERE A COUPLE OF THE INCUMBENTS HAVE AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHERS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT REDISTRICTING PLAYED OUT.

>> RIGHT, IT ISN'T JUST THAT REDISTRICTING PUT THESE CANDIDATES TOGETHER.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO DIG IN AND LOOK AT WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS LOOK LIKE AND WHO IS MORE FAMILIAR IN THESE DISTRICTS?

I MEAN, BETSY POINTED OUT IN HER REPORTING THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LEE-JIM RICE RACE, THAT'S MORE OF ABBEY LEE'S OLD SENATE DISTRICT THAN IT IS JIM RICE'S OLD SENATE DISTRICT.

A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE.

STEVEN THANE SPENT THE PAST DECADE RUNNING AND WINNING IN THIS DISTRICT, BUT WHEN CUSTER COUNTY, ALL OF THOSE CENTRAL IDAHO COUNTIES ARE NOT IN HIS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ANYMORE.

THAT'S 35% OF THE ELECTORATE.

36% OF THE ELECTORATE.

IN THAT NEW LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

SO YOU THINK THAT THOSE NUMBERS MIGHT FAVOR SCOTT GROW.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, STEVEN THANE HAS BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FIRST AND IN THE SENATE FOR MUCH LONGER THAN SENATOR GROW.

AND THAT COULD BE AN ADVANTAGE FOR HIM, TOO.

>> RIGHT.

AND IT MIGHT COME DOWN TO CAMPAIGNING IN DIFFERENT WAYS IN NEW LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

I MEAN, STEVEN THANE OR JIM RICE OR SOME OF THESE OTHER INCUMBENTS, THEY CAN'T RELY ON WORD OF MOUTH AND NAME I.D.

IN THEIR OLD DISTRICS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF GOING DOOR TO DOOR AND MEETING UP WITH FOLKS WHO SUPPORTED YOU IN THE PAST.

MAYBE YOU HAVE TO DO MORE ADVERTISING.

MAYBE YOU HAVE TO DO MORE DIRECT MAIL.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO GUARANTEES WITH THE WAY THESE DISTRICTS BREAK DOWN.

YOU KNOW, ONE CANDIDATE IS, YOU KNOW, IRONCLAD, YOU KNOW, ASSURED OF WINNING BUT IT DOES CHANGE THE DYNAMIC IN HOW YOU CAMPAIGN.

>> AND THE CHANGES AFFECTS OTHER RACES AS WELL.

AND ONE IS REPRESENTATIVE'S RACE IN EASTERN IDAHO, A REMATCH WHO IS ATTEMPTING A COMEBACK.

AND THAT DISTRICT HAS CHANGED.

IT HASN'T CHANGED A TON.

BUT IT HAS CHANGED ENOUGH THAT IT MIGHT BENEFIT ONE OVER THE OTHER.

AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG CHANGE.

IF SHE WERE TO COME BACK AND BE AGAIN, WE CAN SEE ALL KINDS OF DYNAMICS CHANGING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> AND THE PRIMARIES IN THAT DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, REGARDLESS OF WHO CAME OUT ON TOP WHETHER IT WAS REIBOLD ORNATE IN PAST RACES, THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN VERY BUT THEY HAD THAT SLIVER OF, WAS IT BONNEVILLE COUNTY THAT REALLY SOMETIMES BENEFITED RON NATE.

BUT HE HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING HARD.

AND HE'S BEEN FUNDRAISING HARD.

>> BUT THE OTHER HAS RAISED MORE MONEY.

HE HAS RAISED CLOSE TO $100,000 IN THIS PRIMARY.

THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL.

AND THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF RACES THAT ARE IN THAT -- HITTING THAT THRESHOLD OR PASSING THAT THRESHOLD.

WE'RE SEEING A MORE -- VERY EXPENSIVE ROUND OF LEGISLATIVE RACES IN SPOTS.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> ANOTHER RACE THAT I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON IS SENATOR PHIL MARTIN FROM DISTRICT 15 IN BOISE WHICH HAS BEEN SOMETHING OF A SWING DISTRICT IN RECENT YEARS.

IT WAS JUST BACK IN 2018 THAT HE WON RE-ELECTION BY SIX VOTES IN THE GENERAL.

AND THIS TIME, HE HAS A CHALLENGE FROM REPRESENTATIVE GALLOWAY IN THE SAME DISTRICT.

SHE IS A SITTING REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SAME DISTRICT AND CHALLENGING HIM IN THE PRIMARY.

AND THAT'S ALSO A THREE-WAY RACE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT ALSO COULD AFFECT WHERE THINGS GO.

IN THE SENATE, IN THE HOUSE.

>> I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF RACES I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING IN CENTRAL IDAHO.

KARL CRABTREE HAS A STRONG PRIMARY CHALLENGE.

THE NEW DISTRICTS ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS SO I'LL BE WATCHING A LOT OF THOSE.

BIG CHANGES REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS ON TUESDAY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT HOUSE, VERY DIFFERENT SENATE.

>> VERY DIFFERENT BUDGET RETIREMENTS AND POTENTIAL LOSSES, TURNOVER IN THESE PRIMARY YOU COULD HAVE A LOT OF TURNOVER IN THE MOST POWERFUL COMMITTEE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> INCLUDING LEADERSHIP.

I MEAN, YOUNGBLOOD THE CO-CHAIR IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION.

VICE CHAIR HAS RETIRED.

I MEAN, IT'S -- IT'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME.

>> ALSO, WE HAVE SO MANY HOUSE MEMBERS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

AND MANY OF THEM ARE KIND OF FROM THE FAR RIGHT CONTINGENT WHO HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE SENATE IS NOT FAIR ENOUGH TO RUN FOR HOUSE BILLS AND SOME HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

ONE EXAMPLE IS BEN ADAMS WHO IS RUNNING FOR AN OPEN SEAT.

AND TAMMY NICHOLS IS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH AND CHANGE GOING ON.

>> ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> EXACTLY.

I BELIEVE HE'S UNOPPOSED.

>> I BELIEVE YOU'RE RIGHT.

SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FUNDRAISING AND YOU MENTIONED THE LEGISLATIVE RACES ARE IN SOME AREAS VERY EXPENSIVE.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT'S RACE.

YOU HAVE REPORTED ON HOW IT'S SURPRISINGLY EXPENSIVE.

>> WE'RE SEEING SOMETHING IN THAT RACE THAT WE JUST HAVE NOT SEEN IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.

DEBBIE CRUTCHFIELD HAS RAISED $300,000 THAT WE KNOW OF.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE FINAL NUMBERS UNTIL AFTER THE PRIMARY.

THAT IS A SIX-FOLD INCREASE OVER WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE MOST, YOU KNOW, IN THE PAST PRIMARIES IN THAT RACE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

I MEAN, IF NOT FOR THAT, WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT HOW ONE HAS RAISED MORE MONEY THAN ANYONE RUNNING THE PRIMARYS IN THE PAST 20 YEARS.

IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE BY THAT METRIC RACE.

THIS HAS USUALLY BEEN A DOWN TICKET RACE.

NOT A LOT OF FUNDRAISING.

NOT A LOT OF SPENDING.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT RACE AND YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF ADS ON TELEVISION.

HOW THAT SHAKES OUT IN THE PRIMARY IS AN OPEN GUESS, THOUGH.

>> RIGHT, THINKING BACK TO 2014 WHEN ANDY GROVER OUTRAISED AND OUTSPENT ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES IN THAT SUPERINTENDENT FIELD, ONE BY FAR WAS THE LOWEST FUNDRAISER AND SHE STILL WON.

>> I CAN MAKE A CASE FOR ALL THREE OF THEM WINNING ON TUESDAY.

CRITCHFIELD SIMPLY BECAUSE $300,000 AND A HUGE INCREASE -- HUGE ADVANTAGE IN FUNDRAISING, THE ABILITY TO ADVERTISE.

THAT HELPS.

ANOTHER HAS KIND OF CARVED OUT THE LANE TRYING TO GET THE HARD LINE CONSERVATIVE VOTE.

THAT COULD BE A PATH TO VICTORY.

AND ANOTHER, SHE'S 4-4 IN STATE RACES.

A LOT OF TIMES CLOSELY UNDERFUNDED TO HER COMPETITION.

SO YOU CAN'T REALLY COUNT HER OUT EITHER.

LIKE I SAY, THIS ONE COULD GO ANY WAY.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF ENDORSEMENTS IN THAT RACE AND A LOT OF OTHER STATEWIDE RACES.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

HISTORICALLY, DO THOSE ENDORSEMENTS TEND TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE STATEWIDE RACES?

>> I THINK THAT ENDORSEMENTS CERTAINLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN REALLY SOME PROMINENT MAINSTREAM ENDORSEMENTS FOR DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD, SOME PEOPLE LIKE THE FORMER GOVERNOR AND CONGRESSMAN MIKE SIMPSON.

AND LOOK AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS JUST TODAY THAT LAWRENCE WAZDEN ANNOUNCED HE'S BEEN ENDORSED BY BRAD LITTLE AND THREE FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

I MEAN, THESE ARE BIG NAMES.

AND SO IF THEY'RE -- >> MEANWHILE, LABRADOR HAS ENDORSEMENTS FROM PROMINENT NATIONAL FIGURES LIKE MIKE LEE AND MIKE POMPEO FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> DO PEOPLE WONDER WHAT MIKE LEE IN UTAH THINKS OR SOMEBODY FROM KANSAS?

IT WOULD BE NEW IF THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING.

YEAH, ENDORSEMENTS ARE ROLLING IN.

THEY'RE ROLLING OUT.

AND THEY ONLY MATTER IF THE VOTER FEELS LIKE THAT'S WHO I WANT TO LOOK TO HELP ME MAKE MY DECISION.

THAT'S SOMEONE I TRUST WITH THIS DECISION.

SO WE'LL SEE.

>> AND MORE INTERESTING ENDORSEMENTS OF THE WEEK, IDAHO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION CAME OUT WITH ENDORSEMENTS IN STATE RACES.

THEY'RE NOT EVEN BOTHERING TO ENDORSE IN THE PRIMARY FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

THEY'VE GONE STRAIGHT TO ENDORSING TERRY GILBERT, THE DEMOCRAT WHO IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S NOT IN AND OF ITSELF SURPRISING WHEN TERRY GILBERT IS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE I.E.A.

AND CAREER EDUCATOR.

YOU WOULD EXPECT THE I.E.A.

TO EVENTUALLY ENDORSE TERRY GILBERT IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN TAKING A POSITION.

AND BASICALLY, THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, VARYING DEGREES OF CRITICAL OF ALL THREE OF THE REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> YOU KNOW, AND SPEAKING OF REPUBLICAN PARTY INFIGHTING, THERE WAS A VERY HIGH PROFILE FIGHT THIS WEEK WITH THE IDAHO REPUBLICAN PARTY SUING THE BONNEVILLE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

WHAT WAS THIS LAWSUIT ABOUT?

>> SO THE BONNEVILLE COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE NOT ONLY HAS BEEN ENDORSING ITS FAVORED CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AGAINST OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNING IN THAT PRIMARY, SOME OF THEM INCUMBENTS INCUMBENTS.

IT'S ALSO BEEN MAKING CASH DONATIONS AND IT SENT OUT A SAMPLE BALLOT WHICH I THINK WAS WHAT REALLY TIPPED US OVER THE EDGE THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THE OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY PICKS.

VOTE FOR BRIAN SMITH.

VOTE FOR JANICE MCGEACHIN.

AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOESN'T DO THAT.

THAT'S NOT -- >> STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SO BASICALLY, THEY'RE ACCUSING THE PARTY OF GOING ROGUE AND THAT PHRASE WAS EVEN USED IN THE LAWSUIT AND WE NOW HAVE THE STATE PARTY AND ONE OF THE COUNTY PARTIES FACING OFF IN COURT OVER THIS.

>> OTHER COUNTY PARTIES AND CENTRAL COMMITTEES HAVE MADE ENDORSEMENTS.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE HERE?

>> THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR HAD A BYLAW THAT SAID THEY COULD NOT DO THAT ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE NOW REPEALED THAT BYLAW SO I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS IN THE LAWSUIT THAT STATE LAWS HAVE BEEN BROKEN.

>> ONE OF THE CANDIDATES THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT GOT THAT ENDORSEMENT FROM THE BONNEVILLE COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE, JANICE MCGEACHIN, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THIS WEEK SAID -- SHE CALLED ON CURRENT GOVERNOR LITTLE TO CALL THE LEGISLATURE FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO REMOVE EXISTING EXEMPTIONS IN IDAHO'S TRIGGER LAW THAT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT IF ROE V. WADE IS REPEALED.

AND THOSE EXEMPTIONS WOULD BE FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

>> AND THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

>> AND THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

YOU REPORTED ON THAT THIS WEEK.

>> UH-HUH.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?

>> WELL, A COUPLE OF THINGS STRUCK ME.

ONE WAS THAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MCGEACHIN WAS VERY VEHEMENT SHE WANTS NO EXCEPTIONS, ALL THREE WOULD BE GONE.

ANOTHER IS THAT BOTH SIDES IN THE ABORTION DEBATE COMPLETELY OBJECTED TO PROPOSAL TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE NOW, TO CHANGE THE LAW NOW WHEN THE LAW IS IN A STATE OF FLUX.

AND BASICALLY, NEITHER SIDE THOUGHT THERE WAS ANY SENSE IN MESSING WITH IT AT THIS POINT UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE AND IN IDAHO'S TRIGGER LAW IS A LAW THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED IN 2020.

IT'S NOT THAT BILL THAT PASSED THIS YEAR ABOUT THE SIX WEEKS AND THE LAWSUITS THAT'S TIED UP IN COURT AND HASN'T TAKEN EFFECT.

THAT 2020 LAW THAT'S ON THE BOOKS DOESN'T HAVE SIX WEEKS IN IT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY TIME PERIOD IN IT.

ALL ABORTIONS WILL BE FELONY UNLESS THEY FIT THOSE THREE EXTREMELY NEUTRAL EXCEPTIONS AND SHE WANTS TO GET RID OF THE THREE EXCEPTIONS.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THAT, COMPARED TO OTHER STATES THAT WOULD PROSECUTE THE WOMAN SEEKING THE ABORTION, THIS GOES ONLY AFTER PHYSICIANS.

AND THAT IS WHERE THE LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU ABOUT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MCGEACHIN'S STATEMENT WAS IT'S SO FAR REMOVED FROM WHAT WE HEARD FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE MAJORITY OF THEM.

WE'VE CERTAINLY SEEN PROPOSALS TO PROSECUTE WOMEN FOR MURDER FOR SEEKING AN ABORTION BUT THOSE DIDN'T EVEN GET HEARINGS.

THIS TAKES THAT COUPLE STEPS FURTHER.

>> I THINK THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS VERY CLEARLY MADE HER ATTEMPT TO STAKE OUT THE FARTHEST, MOST EXTREME NO EXCEPTIONS POSITION ON THIS ISSUE AND SHE'S DONE IT CONSCIOUSLY AND SHE'S DONE IT RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION TO SAY, THIS IS WHERE I AM.

IF YOU VOTE FOR ME FOR GOVERNOR, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET.

>> YOU SAID YOU SPOKE TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THAT PROPOSAL INCLUDING SOME WHO ARE ANTI-ABORTION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BRENT CRANE.

I SPOKE WITH ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE.

AND BOTH OF THEM WERE VERY MUCH TAKEN ABACK THAT THEY CALLED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO REMOVE THOSE EXEMPTIONS AND DIDN'T LIKE THE IDEA FOR VERY DIFFERENT REASONS.

>> YOU KNOW, WITH THE ELECTION COMING UP ON TUESDAY, ARE YOU ANTICIPATING -- WHAT ARE YOU ANTICIPATING IN TERMS OF VOTER TURNOUT?

>> IT'S ALWAYS -- IT'S ALWAYS SUCH A QUESTION.

HOW MANY IDAHO VOTERS WILL ACTUALLY GO TO THE POLLS IN THE PRIMARY?

BECAUSE IN THE PAST, SO FEW HAVE!

IT'S ONLY A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF OUR ELECTORATE THAT HAS BOTHERED TO TURN OUT FOR PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

NOW IT HAS BEEN GOING UP A BIT IN RECENT YEARS.

AND I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WITH THE HUGE INTEREST THAT'S BEEN GENERATED IN THESE BIG RACES, MORE CASES ARE BEING DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY THEN MAYBE WE'LL SEE HIGHER TURNOUT.

>> ANY PREDICTIONS, KEVIN, ON WHAT TURNOUT MIGHT BE ON TUESDAY?

>> NOT REALLY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS OR IN TERMS OF THE MAKE-UP.

I MEAN, YOU WOULD THINK THAT MAYBE A HIGHER TURNOUT, MORE OF A CROSSOVER VOTE, MORE OF, YOU KNOW, THAT HIGHER TURNOUT MIGHT FAVOR MORE CENTRALIST CANDIDATES AND MAINSTREAM REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND A LOWER TURNOUT MAY FAVOR THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A TURBULENT ELECTION CYCLE THAT YOU KNOW, PREDICTIONS ARE HARD TO COME BY RIGHT NOW.

>> TURBULENT ELECTION CYCLE THAT HAS ALREADY LASTED MORE THAN A YEAR.

BETSY RUSSELL AND KEVIN RICHERT, IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

GOOD LUCK REPORTING ON TUESDAY.

IT WILL BE A LONG NIGHT AND THE IDAHO, A TURBULENT NIGHT.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS, THE "IDAHO REPORTS" TEAM WILL BE CONTINUING OUR COVERAGE ON LINE.

LOOK FOR OUR ELECTION PRIMARY RESULTS ROUNDUP ON WEDNESDAY.

YOU'LL FIND LINKS AT IDAHOPTV.COM/IDAHO REPORTS.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

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