>>> 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.

>>> TONIGHT WE TALK TO THE MA JORT CAUCUS CHAIRWOMAN ABOUT THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND HOW THE UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION COULD CHANGE THE DYNAMIC IN THE STATEHOUSE.

I'M RUTH BROWN MILLING -- FILLING IN FOR MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK I'M JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE MEGAN BLANKSMA TO TAKE A LOOK BACK ON THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE DISCUSS PLANS MOVING FOLDER AMID POSSIBLE CHANGEOVER AMID THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

WE'LL REVIEW THIS WEEK'S DEBATES FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

LATER, STEPHANIE WITT OF BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY AND BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS JOIN ME TO DISCUSS THIS WEEK'S DEBATES AND HEATED RACES.

BUT FIRST, AN ADA COUNTY JURY CONVICTED FORMER LEGISLATOR AARON von EHLINGER ON FRIDAY OF FELONY RAPE.

HE WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF FORCIBLE PENETRATION WITH A FOREIGN OBJECT.

HE RESIGNED LAST YEAR AFTER ACCUSATIONS THAT HE RAPED A LEGISLATIVE INTERN.

HE RESIGNED IN 2021 AFTER FACING A PUBLIC HOUSE ETHICS HEARING.

HET SET FOR SENTENCING ON JULY 28TH AND COULD FACE A PUNISHMENT OF UP TO LIFE IN PRISON.

>>> IN DEBATE NEWS, ON MONDAY THE THREE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION MET FOR A DEBATE, INCLUDING INCUMBENT SHERRI YBARRA, DEBBIE CRITCHFIELD, AND BRANDEN DURST.

>> I BELIEVE WE NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY AND LET PARENTS LEAD AS GOD INTENDED.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT A LOT AT STAKE ON OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY, SO MUCH JUSTICE INDOCTRINATION, THE SENTIZATION OF OUR -- SEXUALSATION OF OUR STUDENTS.

I HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIX OUR SCHOOLS AND TO HELP ALL OF OUR STUDENTS SUCCEED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT WE HAVE TO ASK YOURSES IS IF -- OURSELVES IS IF WE ARE SATISFIED WITH OUR CURRENT EDUCATION SYSTEM F. WE ARE, ONE OF THE INVIREDS WOULD BE GREAT CHOICE.

>> IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO TRANSFORM THE NEED OF OUR EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO FIT THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY, IT IS NOW.

AND WE NEED A LEADER TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS.

I AM THE CHANGE CANDIDATE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE STATUS QUO.

IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING TENURED INTO POSITION WITH FUZZY DATA.

IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICAL RHETORIC.

IT'S ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS A LEADER AND HAS EXHIBITED THE EVIDENCE OF THAT LEADERSHIP THAT WANTS TO HELP OUR SCHOOLS, THAT WANTS TO HELP OUR FAMILIES, THAT WANTS TO GROW OUR STATE.

IN THE WAY THAT WE KNOW THAT WE CAN, THAT WANTS TO RESTORE THE VALUE OF EDUCATION.

>> WE KNOW THAT OVER 60% OF OUR KINDERGARTENS ARE NOT PREPARED AS THEY'RE COMING THROUGH THE DOOR FOR KINDERGARTEN.

BUT WE WANTED TO OFFER THAT RESOURCES TO PARENTS IF THEY KNEW THAT THEIR CHILD WAS SLIGHTLY BEHIND.

ALSO AS A FORMER THIRD GRADE TEACHER, THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

ONE OF MY GOALS IS MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE ON GREAT LEVEL -- GRADE LEVEL BY THIRD GRADE.

WE KNOW AS EDUCATORS WHEN KIDS COME INTO KINDERGARTEN WITH A GAP THAT'S WIDE IN ACHIEVEMENT, IT'S LIKELY JUST TO GET WIDER AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CLOSE THAT GAP EARLY SO BY THE TIME KIDS GET TO THIRD GRADE, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

>> ON TUESDAY THE THREE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE MET AT PUBLIC ON ELECTIONS.

THE CANDIDATES INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVE DOROTHY MOON, SENATOR MARY SOUZA, AND ADA COUNTY CLERK PHIL MCGRANE.

THE DEBATE REVOLVED AROUND ELECTION SECURITY, INTEGRITY, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S ROLE IN IDAHO.

ONLY ONE OF THE CANDIDATES SAID HE BELIEVED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WON THE 20 ELECTION.

-- 2020 ELECTION.

>> I'VE BEEN ON THE GROUND WORKING IN POLLING PLACES, DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF POLL WORKERS, PRINTING -- PRINTING BALLOTS.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW BIG AFTER SCALE THEY ARE.

OFTEN ELECTIONS ARE THE LARGEST EVENT PLANNING OPERATION IN ANY COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE.

AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES WHEN IT'S GONE REALLY WELL AND THE CHALLENGES.

SO I'VE LEARNED FROM THAT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED IN TERMS OF A SECRETARY OF STATE IS THAT EXPERIENCE.

SO THAT WHEN A COUNTY CLERK OR ANYONE ELSE CALLS, THAT THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS.

BOTH IN TERMS OF HOW OUR LAWS WORK BUT ALSO HOW THINGS WORK PRACTICALLY ON THE GROUND.

>> THE ROLE OF SECRETARY OF STATE IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ROLE OF COUNTY CLERKS.

THE COUNTY CLERKS ARE IN CHARGE AS CLERK MCGRANE HAS EXPLAINED.

THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY LOGISTICS DURING THE ELECTION SEASON AND PREPARING AND GETTING ALL OF THE RECORDS CORRECT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS MUCH MORE OF A SUPERVISORY JOB.

THE SECRETARY IS TITLED CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER OF THE STATE.

NOT TO RUN ELECTIONS BUT TO OVERSEE THE ELECTION LAWS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR BOOKS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LAWS ARE ENFORCED AND UPDATED AS NEEDED.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT AFTER THE ALL ABSENTEE BALLOT ELECTION PRIMARY THERE, WAS A LOT OF CONCERN HOW POLE WATCHERS -- POLL WATCHERS RETREATED, HOW THEY COULD NOT WATCH MACHINES WHILE THEY WERE TABULATING.

SO I HAD TO CALL THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND SAY IF MY POLL WATCHER LEAVES THIS COUNTY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK IN THE DOOR.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR DURING THAT PERIOD.

BUT FACT OF THE MATTER IS, EVERYBODY SERVES A CERTAIN POSITION DURING ELECTIONS AND AS AN EDUCATOR, I WOULD GO TO ALL 44 COUNTIES AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEIR JOB IS AND WHAT IT ENTAILS.

>> JOE BIDEN WAS ELECTED BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED AS I'VE TRAVELED AROUND THE STATE IS THE CONCERNS THAT IDAHO VOTERS HAVE.

I THINK WHEN THEY REFLECT ON THEIR VOTING EXPERIENCE AND THE POLL WORKERS CHECKING THEM IN, THEY FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR ELECTIONS LOCALLY.

>> I DO NOT THINK THAT JOE BIDEN WON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

BUT HE HAS BEEN NAMED PRESIDENT AND THAT'S BEEN CERTIFIED.

SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE WOULD GO BACK.

BUT WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM WHAT HAPPENED.

>> NO, I THINK THERE WAS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN WE NOTICED AT 11:00 AT NIGHT ALL OF THE BEATLE GROUND -- BATTLEGROUND STATES DECIDED TO GO TO BED AND THEY WERE GOING TO START UP IN THE MORNING.

IN MY LIFETIME, I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN, NOR HAD MOST AMERICANS WHO STAY UP THAT LATE TO WATCH FOR THE RESULTS.

>> TO SEE THE FULL DEBATES, VISIT IDAHOPTV.ORG.

THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 17TH.

LOGAN FINNEY SAT DOWN WITH COUNTY CLERKS TO DISCUSSION ELECTION SECURITY AND WHAT THE COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICES ARE DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE PRY MERE.

>>> EARLIER FRIDAY MORNING I WAS JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE MEGAN BLANKSMA TO BACK ON THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WHAT WE MIGHT EXPECT AFTER THE PRIMARY.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'RE A MONTH OUT FROM THE SESSION.

LOOKING BACK, YOU'VE HAD SOME TIME TO REFLECT.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMING OUT?

>> I THINK THE TAX CUT.

IT WAS A MAJOR TAX CUT.

THINK THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO RETURN THE SURPLUS TO THE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDED THE SPUR PLUS.

-- SURPLUS.

SO I'M -- I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> FOR LISTENERS, CAN YOU WALK ME WHO THE TAX CUT MIGHT HELP?

>> IT WILL HELP ALL IDAHOANS.

THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE NEXT TAX.

-- INCOME TAX.

SO EVERYBODY SHOULD BENEFIT.

>> LOOKING BACK, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WISH THE LEGISLATOR WOULD HAVE PURSUED MORE AGGRESSIVELY THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK WE HAD SOME OPTIONS WITH PROPERTY RELIEF THAT WE DIDN'T FULL ON -- RETURN ON.

THERE WAS A BILL THAT GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE END OF THE SESSION AS THINGS TEND TO DO THAT WOULD HAVE ESSENTIALLY SWEPT ANY SURPLUS TO PROVIDE SOME PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS.

AND SO I THINK -- A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT THAT DIDN'T MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY AN OPPORTUNITY, MAYBE NEXT YEAR, TO LOOK AT THAT.

BUT I DO THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE OPTIONS IF WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE KIND OF SURPLUSES.

>> SHIFTING A LITTLE BIT, YOU MENTIONED PROPERTY TAXES.

IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE.

THIS YEAR YOU HELPED USHER IN A WORKFORCE HOUSING BILL THAT ADDRESSED $50 MILLION.

>> UH-HUH.

>> BUT HOUSING IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

AND ARE THERE -- IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO IN THE SHORT TERM OR LONG TERM TO ADDRESS HOUSING SHORTAGES OR THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> WELL, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, THERE ARE SOME -- THERE'S SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT THAT WORKFORCE HOUSING BILL.

SO IT'S NOT GOVERNMENT HOUSING.

SOME PEOPLE ARE BILLING THAT AS A GOVERNMENT HOUSING BILL.

THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS.

WHAT IT CUZ IS -- DOES IS TO PROVIDE THAT GAP BETWEEN WHAT DEVELOPERS CAN GET PRIVATELY FUNDED AND FINANCED, VERSUS WHAT THEY NEED TO ACTUALLY COMPLETE THE PROJECT.

AND SO IT'S JUST A GAP COMPONENT.

SO IT'S NOT GOVERNMENT HOUSING.

SO IT JUST IS ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT.

AND IT'S ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT NOT JUST FOR LOW BUT FOR ALSO MIDDLE-INCOME EARNERS HERE IN THE STATE.

SO THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THAT FUNDING.

AND IT'S DONE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

SO IT'S NOT AN ONGOING PROGRAM.

IT'S A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE IS A PORTION OF THAT FUND THAT'S DEDICATED TO RURAL AREAS, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> IT GIVES RURAL PRIORITY.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THERE WAS SOME CONCERN IN THE TREASURE SWREAL AND I THINK SOMETIMES THE CLOSER YOU ARE TO THE VALLEY, THE MORE BLIND YOU GET TO THE REST OF THE STATE.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS A CONCERN THAT THOSE FUNDS AREN'T GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THAT RURAL COMPONENT, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN IN OTHER AIRS WHERE THEY'RE -- AREAS WHERE THEY'RE EXPERIENCING GROWTH, MAYBE NOT ON THE SAME SCALE, BUT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THAT GAP FUNDING WHERE APPROPRIATE.

>> IN COMING YEARS, IS THERE SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE COULD DO OR -- >> IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

AND AS WE ALL KNOW, THE ECONOMY IS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN.

WE'RE FACING A POTENTIAL RECESSION, WHICH I THINK IS MAKING EVERYONE NERVOUS.

AND SO I THINK WE REALLY HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE REVENUES ARE FOR THIS YEAR.

AND WHERE WE SIT AS FAR AS HOUSING PRICES GOING FORWARD.

I DO UNDERSTAND THAT HERE IN THE TREASURE VALLEY IN PARTICULAR, HOUSING PRICES ARE AMAZINGLY HIGH.

UNSPEAKABLY HIGH.

AND THERE HAS TO BE SOME SOLUTION.

>> LOOKING BACK AT THE SESSION, THERE WERE SOME SPIRITED DEAKDZS THIS YEAR -- DEBATES THIS YEAR ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AS MAJORITY CAUCUS CHAIR, WHAT -- WHAT KIND OF A ROLE DO YOU THINK THAT PLAYED IN LEGISLATION THAT DID AND DIDN'T MOVE FORWARD?

>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF -- WHAT PEOPLE DON'T RECOGNIZE IS A LOT OF THE WORK IS DONE IN THE COMMITTEES.

SO WE TRY TO VET EVERYTHING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

THAT'S OFTENTIMES WHERE WE FIND ERRORS IN THE LEGISLATION, PROBLEMS WITH IT, OR IMPROVEMENTS.

SO THAT'S WHY ALL OF IT COMES THROUGH THE COMMITTEE FOR THE MOST PART.

AND WE TRY TO DO THAT SO THAT OFTENTIMES IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ISN'T A LOT OF DEBATE ON THE FLOOR JUST BECAUSE OF THAT PROCESS.

A LOT OF IT IS VETTED THROUGH COMMITTEE.

I THINK SPIRITED DEBATE IS WONDERFUL.

I THINK THAT IT'S ENTERTAINING OF COURSE TO WATCH.

I THINK THERE WERE TIMES THAT SOME PEOPLE STEPPED OVER THE LINE AND GOT A LITTLE PERSONAL AND YOU HATE TO SEE THAT BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE ABOUT POLICY SETTING, NOT PERSONALITIES WHEN IT COMES TO THAT DEBATE.

>> LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR, DID BRING OUT QUITE -- IT MADE THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MUCH MORE CLEAR.

ARE THOSE WORSE THAN YEARS PAST?

>> I THINK THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SUBSETS WIN THE CAUCUS.

EF -- WITHIN THE CUBBINGUS.

-- CAUCUS.

WE HAVE 58 MEMBERS.

OUR CAUCUS CAN RUN THE FLOOR.

IT'S THAT TYPE OF SUPER MAJORITY.

AND VERY FEW HOUSES OUT THE UNITED STATES HAS THAT KIND OF SUPER MAJORITY.

HAWAII I BELIEVE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT ENJOYS 100% SUPERMAJORITY.

AND OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY, OF COURSE.

BUT IT DOES CREATE SOME CONFLICTS BECAUSE THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO GET ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

AND SO WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF STRONG PERSONALITIES, AND A LOT OF STRONG BELIEFS, AND YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, THEY'RE -- THEY'RE LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS FOR THEIR DISTRICTS.

AND THAT CREATES CONFLICT.

AND SO WE DO OUR BEST TO TRY TO WORK TOGETHER.

SOMETIMES WE'RE BETTER AT IT THAN OTHERS.

>> DID THE UPCOMING PRIMARY PLAY A ROLE IN THAT?

>> I THINK I WOULD NOT BE TELLING THE TRUTH IF I MADE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE NOT LOOKING AT POTENTIAL ELECTIONS.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S AN INHERIT IN THE SYSTEM.

IF YOU'RE UP FOR RE-ELECTION EVERY TWO YEARS, THEN OBVIOUSLY THAT'S GOING TO HAVE SOME IMPACT ON HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YOURSELF FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL.

I BELIEVE -- ON THE PART OF SOME FOLKS, THERE WAS THAT NEED TO GET CERTAIN INFORMATION OUT.

>> SPEAKING OF THE PRIMARY, WE KNOW HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER SHIFT WILL HAVE A BIG CHANGE IN THE 2023 SESSION.

WHAT ROLE WILL THAT PLAY ON THE SPEAKER?

>> YEAH, I'M GOING TO STEP AWAY FROM THAT ONE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WILL OF THE CAUCUS.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT A HUGE TURNOVER.

THERE'S A MASSIVE TURNOVER.

WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE RETIRING.

OF COURSE, DID SPEAKER LEFT -- SPEAKER LEFT TO RUN FOR LIEUTENANT AGAIN.

-- LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THE SPEAKERSHIP WILL BE INTERESTING, BECAUSE THAT WILL SET A TONE AS WELL AS THE OTHER POSITIONS IN MAJORITY LEADERSHIP ON THE FUNCTION OF THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SO WE'RE ALL WATCHING THE PRIMARY.

WE'VE SEEN NUMBERS ANYWHERE FROM IN THE 20S TO THE 30S ON WHAT THE TURNOVER CAN LOOK LIKE.

AND WITH THE HOUSE OF 70 MEMBERS, THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

SO I'M SURE THAT MAJORITY LEADERSHIP WILL REFLECT THE WILL OF THE CAUCUS AND WE JUST NEED TO SEE WHAT THAT LOTS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BLANKSMA, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> TODAY I'M JOINED BY DR. STEPHANIE WITS OF -- WITT OF BOISE STATE AND BETSY RUSSELL OF THE IDAHO PRESS.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ON MONDAY THE THREE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION MET HERE AT PUBLIC TELEVISION STUDIOS FOR A DEBATE.

DR. WITTT, DO YOU THINK THEY SUCCESSFULLY DIFFERENTIATED THEMSELVES FOR VOTERS?

>> OF COURSE, THAT'S THAT THEIR MAIN GOAL, RIGHT, BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO ESTABLISH THEIR ROOT AMONG THE BASE.

AND I THINK THAT CLEARLY, DURST IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER TWO, FROM CRITCHFIELD AND YBARRA, BUT THE REAL CHALLENGE IS FOR CRITCHFIELD AND YBARRA TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO PEOPLE.

THEY BOTH HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION.

CRITCHFIELD WAS ON A SCHOOL BOARD.

SHE WORKED AT THE IDAHO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AND YBARRA IS THE INCUMBENT.

SO THEY BOTH HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT'S RELEVANT.

AND THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL THAT EXPERIENCE TO THE VOTERS MOST EFFECTIVELY.

>> BETSY?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT DURST CLEARLY DIFFERENTIATED HIMSELF FROM THE OTHER TWO IN THE COURSE OF THE DEBATE.

AND WE ALSO SAW SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRITCHFIELD AND YBARRA.

EBAR HAY -- YBARRA HAS GROWN IN THAT ROLE.

AS SHE FIRST CAME IN AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, SHE REALLY STRUGGLED TO GET HER FEET ON TO GROUND AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

AND IT'S CLEAR THAT HER CONFIDENCE HAS GROWN GREATLY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT BEEN VERY GOOD.

AND MOST OF THE THINGS THAT SHE HAS CELEBRATED AS SUCCESSES HAVE BEEN THINGS THAT REALLY ORIGINATED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

ALTHOUGH OFTEN SHE'S MADE HER OWN PROPOSALS, SOMETIMES THEY HAVEN'T GONE AS FAR AS THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE KIND OF BEEN ON THE SAME PAGE.

AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT CRITCHFIELD WAS TRYING TO POINT OUT DIFFERENTIATING HERSELF FROM YBARRA, THAT SHE HAS THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, WITH THE GOVERNOR.

SHE CHAIRED THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCES OR CO-CHAIRED THEM.

AND SO SHE HAS DIFFERNT TYPES OF EXPERIENCE.

AND SO I GUESS REALLY THE QUESTION THERE IS DID YBARRA SUCCESSFULLY PRESENT A PICTURE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING RIGHT RIGHT NOW AND THAT THEREFORE SHE SHOULD BE KEPT IN, OR DID CRITCHFIELD OR DURST OPEN ENOUGH OF A DOOR TO SAY THAT SHE OUGHT TO BE REPLACED.

>> STATUS QUO WAS THE WORD I THINK THEY USED TO CRITICIZE HER.

IF YOU WANT THE STATUS QUO -- >> WELL, AND THAT'S A LITTLE BIT UNFAIR.

I MEAN, WHO HAPPENED TO BE AT THE WHEEL WHEN THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC HIT, RIGHT?

SO YOU KNOW, K-12 EDUCATION WAS COMPLETELY DISRUPTED AND IN MANY DISTRICTS WE HAD STUDENTS WORKING FROM HOME OR FROM WHEREVER, RIGHT, FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

SO THAT KIND OF GETS HUNG AROUND YBARRA'S NECK AS THIS IS YOUR STATUS QUO THAT YOU'VE CREATED.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN SOMEBACK ANDS THAT WE'VE SEEN -- SOME SETBACKS ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND WELL-BEING FROM BEING SEPARATED.

AND SHE'S TRYING TO POINT TO IT, IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

WE HAVE SEEN GAINING BACK OF WHAT WE LOST, BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR HER, SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO RUN AND EXPLAIN HOW THEY DEALT WITH COVID GOOD OR BAD AND ITS IMPACTS ON K-12.

>> I WANT TO SHIFT THE CONVERSATION TO SCHOOL CHOICE.

THAT'S SOMETHING ALL CANDIDATES TALKED ABOUT.

BETSY, THERE WAS A FOCUS ON RURAL SCHOOLS AND WHETHER SCHOOL CHOICE WOULD WORK IN THAT SITUATION.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT -- >> QUARTER.

AND I -- THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK CRITCHFIELD SCORED THE MOST POINTS WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE COMING FROM A RURAL COMMUNITY.

SHE SAID THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CHOICE IN RURAL IDAHO.

YOU GO TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL OR THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THERE.

DURST WAS SAYING LET THE PARENTS DECIDED.

IF THEY WANT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOL, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE TAX MONEY AND USE IT FOR THAT.

IF YOU'RE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO PRIVATE SCHOOL, THAT'S HARD TO DO.

AND SHERRI YBARRA HAD A STRONG STANCE AGAINST PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

SAYING BASICALLY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD SHE SUPPORT THAT BECAUSE SHE'S THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, NOT THE PRIVATE INSTRUCTION.

AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE STIEWCIAL OBSTACLES -- CONSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES TO DO WHO BRANDEN DURST IS CALLING FOR.

I THINK IT WAS AN INTERESTING ISSUE THAT IS OF GREAT INTEREST PARTICULARLY IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND ALL THREE CANDIDATES HAD INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY THAT MIGHT APPEAL TO ONE OR ANOTHER WING OF THE VOTERS.

>> ANOTHER SUBJECT I FOCUSED ON WAS WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

CRITCHFIELD MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WHEN -- STEPHANIE, WHAT WAS YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM THE CONVERSATION?

>> YEAH, THIS IS A TOUGH ONE.

ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE A DIFFERENT CLAIM TO THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE OR PRESUMABLY HOW IT WILL GO IN THE FUTURE, RIGHT?

DURST WAS A SITTING MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, ALTHOUGH AS A DEMOCRAT, SO THAT MAKES HIS LEGISLATIVE STORY A LITTLE HARDER TO FOLLOW IN TERMS OF BEING THE SUPERINTENDENT.

CRITCHFIELD AND YBARRA HAVE HAD THEIR TIME TALKING TO THE LEGISLATURE, PRESENTING INFORMATION.

BUT I WOULD AGREE THAT BETSY THAT IT HASN'T BEEN THE SMOOTHEST THING FOR YBARRA.

SHE'S GROWN INTO THE ROLE IN MY NONEXPERT OPINION.

WHEN SHE FIRST CAME IN SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN AGENDA.

THE BUDGET WASN'T PUT FORWARD AS COMING FROM HER FOR K-12 EDUCATION.

SO I THINK SHE HAS GOTTEN BETTER.

BUT THE -- THE FAR RIGHT WING OF THE MAJORITY CAUCUS IS REALLY SPOILING FOR A FIGHT ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION ON SEVERAL FRONTS.

ON VOUCHERS, ON CRITICAL RACE THEORY, AND THEY'RE GONNA FIGHT HER ON BUDGETS AND POLICY, INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CORE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES AND WE'LL SEE THOSE FIGHTS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

SO SHE'S GOTTEN BETTER.

BUT I THINK IT'S A TOUGH GROUP.

THE LEGISLATURE IS A TOUGH GROUP TO ADEQUATELY -- ADVOCATE FOR K-12 EDUCATION WITH.

>> AND SHE'S -- AS SUMMIT, SHE'S HAD VERY HIGH-PROFILE CLASHES WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WITH THE BUDGET COMMITTEE OVER HOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS MONEY SHOULD BE ALLOCATED AND WHAT IT SHOULD BE FOR.

SHE EVEN TOOK THEM TO COURT.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT -- AS DR. WITT, SAID, NOT A PARTICULARLY SMOOTH RELATIONSHIP.

AND THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS WHO ARE SUPPORTING CRITCHFIELD.

SO THIS IS -- YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF DYNAMICS GOING ON HERE.

WHAT I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING WAS WHEN BRANDEN DURST WAS ASKED HOW HE WOULD WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE -- I ASKED HIM THIS QUESTION -- HIS MOST RECENT RUNNIN' WITH LEGISLATORS IN WHICH HE HAD TO BE ESCORTED OUT BY THE POLICE TWICE AND HE SAID THAT WAS THE TWO SENATORS THAT DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME BILL, AND WE'RE GOING TO UNELECT THEM.

HE'S NOT GOING TO UNELECT THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE DIDN'T SUGGEST THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY KIND OF PRODUCTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIMSELF AND THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH COULD BE A REAL HAND CAP -- HARD CAP FOR -- HANDICAP FOR A SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

>> HE SEEMS WE HADED TO THIS COMBATIVE STYLE THAT HE'S UNDERTAKEN.

I DON'T REMEMBER HIM BEING QUITE THIS COMBATIVE BEFORE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO PERHAPS HE'S -- YOU KNOW, GROWN INTO IT OR HE'S DECIDED THIS IS THE EFFECTIVE STYLE FOR ME.

>> THIS IS PART OF HIS REBERTH AS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE -- REBIRTH THE MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN WHO USED TO BE A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR.

>> YES.

>> ON TUESDAY WE HELD THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S DEBATE, WHICH I WOULD ARGUE WAS THE PERHAPS MOST TENSE OF THE THREE DEBATES WE HELD.

IN THE PAST THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SEAT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN SO CONTENTIOUS.

AFTER THE 2022 ELECTION, I THINK -- 2020 ELECTION, I THINK PEOPLE TOOK A WHOLE LOT MORE IT IN ELECTIONS.

DR. WITT, WHAT IS YOUR TAKEAWAY ON THAT?

>> WELL, THAT IS OF COURSE ONE OF THE KEY DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

THEY MANAGE OUR ENTIRE ELECTORAL SYSTEM STATE BY STATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH COUNTY CLERKS, ARE THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND WHO IMPLEMENT OUR ELECTION LAWS.

AND SO THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

AND IT -- SEEMS TO BE A PERSISTENT THING THAT A SIZABLE PROPORTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS DON'T BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WON THE ELECTION IN 2020 AND OF COURSE, TWO OUT OF THE THREE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE RUNNING TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID IN THE DEBATE THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT BIDEN WON THE ELECTION.

ALONG WITH THAT COMES THE IDEA THAT THERE'S WIDESPREAD FRAUD IN THE ELECTORAL MACHINERY, RIGHT?

AND SO THOSE -- SOUZA AND MOON ARE TRYING TO REALLY PUT THAT FRONT AND CENTER.

I BELIEVE THERE'S WIDESPREAD FRAUD.

WE NEED TO CLOSE DOWN VOTING AND TIGHTER -- MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG.

THIS IS NOT A TOPIC THAT I'VE SEEN DISCUSSED AT LENGTH IN ANY OF THESE SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS IN THE PAST 32 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE'S BEEN ALLEGATIONS THAT SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM.

MCGRANE IS THE CANDIDATE SET APART WHO SAYS, NO, WE KNOW THERE ARE THREATS.

WE'RE TAKING STEPS.

WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MANAGE ELECTIONS IN A SECURE WAY.

AND I THINK THE PRIMARY VOTERS WILL SORT OUT WHICH SIDE OF THAT ARGUMENT THEY REALLY BELIEVE.

>> IT'S -- IT'S KIND OF HARD TO MAKE A CASE THAT THERE'S BEEN EXTENSIVE FRAUD IN IDAHO ELECTIONS WHEN ABSOLUTELY NONE BASICALLY HAS BEEN FOUND.

THERE HAVE BEEN AUDITS.

WHEN THE MY PELOW -- MY PILLOW GUY CAME IN AND MAKE CHARGES, UNDER CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE DENNY WENT BACK AND AUDITS AND RECOUNTS AND FOUND NO SUBSTANCE TO ANY OF THE ALLEGATIONS.

AND SO IN SOME WAYS, BOTH REPRESENTATIVE MOON AND SENATOR COWZ SOUTHA ARE WALKING A FINE LINE BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG IN THE SYSTEM WITH THAT'S BEEN ELECTING THEM TO OFFICE EVERY TWO YEARS.

AND THEY'VE TRIED TO DO THAT, MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS HERE IN IDAHO, BUT THEY COULD COME HERE, OR MAYBE OUR PROBLEMS ARE SMALL, BUT THEY COULD GET BIGGER.

>> THEY PERCEIVE THIS AS A PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK, RIGHT?

>> YES, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR THE PERSPECTIVE FROM MCGRANE, HE'S RUNNING IN THE TRUN CHES WHO SAYS THIS IS -- TREN CHEZ, WHO SAYS THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING.

THIS IS WHAT WE'VE GONE TO MAKE SURE THINGS DON'T GO WRONG.

THIS IS HOW WE AUDIT, WHO'S VOTING.

THIS IS THE I.D.

HE HAS A LOT OF HARD FACTS AT HIS COMMAND TO PUT OUT THERE AS FAR AS WHAT'S GOING ON IN ELECTIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING LAST NIGHT THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION AROUND IMPROVING VOTER TURNOUT.

BETSY, WERE YOU THERE FOR THAT.

WHAT WAS SOME OF THE TAKEAWAY.

>> AND THERE WAS REALLY A SURPRISING COMMENT I THOUGHT FROM SENATOR SOUZA WHO UNLIKE THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES SAID THAT IMPROVING VOTER TURNOUT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A PRIORITY FOR HER AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR IDAHO SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND SHE SAID THAT SHE BELIEVES THAT IS THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS.

THAT ALL THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD DO IS ENFORCE THE LAWS AND THEN LET ALL THOSE GROUPS TURN OUT THEIR VOTERS.

AND WE HEARD A VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGE FROM BOTH REPRESENTATIVE MOON AND PHIL MCGRANE WHO SAID THAT VOTER TURN OUT AND EDUCATION IS A HUGE PRY -- PRIORITY SO THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO AND THEY CN.

SO VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGES FROM THE CANDIDATES.

>> DR. WILT, DID THEY MAKE THEIR -- DR. WITT, DID THEY MAKE THEIR DIVIDE CLEAR?

>> WELL, THEY DID.

I THINK THAT -- I SEE THE SECRETARY OF STATES, YOU HAVE MCGRANE KIND OF SPEAKING FOR THE STATUS QUO, AND THE INNOVATIONS THAT HE'S BROUGHT TO VOTING AND VOTING ACCESS, THE MOBILE VOTING THINGS THAT NOW LOTS OF PLACES AROUND THE CONSIDER DO THIS.

IT'S REALLY A MCGRANE IDEA AND HIS COMMITMENT TO ELECTION SECURITY.

AND SO THEN YOU HAVE THE OTHER TWO, WHO ARE COMING IN WITH THE ALLEGATIONS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND WE WANT TO FIX IT.

WE WERE TALKING EARLIER BEFORE WE STARTED FILMING THAT BOTH MOON AND SOUZA BROUGHT FORTH LOTS OF LEGISLATION TO TRY TO TIGHTEN UP THE ELECTION PROCESS.

AND GENERALLY, PUTTING BARRIERS TO MAKE IT HARDER TO PARTICIPATE AND PROVE THAT YOU SHOULD BE A VOTER.

THOSE DIDN'T SUCCEED IN BECOMING LAW.

BUT THEY'RE KIND OF COMING FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW.

SO I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THE -- IF THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE ELECTION IN TWAINS WAS A FRAUD -- 2020 WAS A FRAUD ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH OF THOSE TWO, BETWEEN MOON AND SOUZA, ARE REALLY YOUR BEST BET.

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THE WIDESPREAD FRAUD, AND YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN VOTERS, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO LOOK AT MCGRANE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, LADIES.

WE APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING.

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