>> Announcer: WE OPERATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSITION THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, BUILDING THE GRADE STAY OF IDAHO.

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

>>> DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK, THE DAWN LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS THE WORST EVER OR ONE OF THE BEST IN HISTORY.

IT WAS CERTAINLY THE LONGEST.

SPEAKER SCOTT BED KEY GIVE US HIS TAKE.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ .

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO IDAHO REPORTS.

THIS WEEK HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT BED KE JOINS ME TO CAUSE MU LAWS ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING, PROPERTY LAX -- TAXES, AND WHETHER THIS RECESS SE -- SETS A PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE SESSIONS.

>>> THE COMMISSION OF PARDONS AND PAROLE GRANTED A COMMUTATION HEARING, LEADING TO THE CANCELIS OF HIS SCHEDULED JUNE 2 EXECUTION.

THE COMMISSION WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING IN NOVEMBER TO DISCUSS WHETHER THEY WILL RECOMMEND GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS GRANT HIM CLEMENCY.

HE'S BETH ON -- HE'S BEEN ON DEATH ROW FOR 35 YEARS OOH BEING -- AFTER BEING KICKED -- CONVICTED FOR TWO KILLINGS.

WE HAVE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT STATUTES AND CASE LAW REGARDING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

>>> THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HIS VETO OF SENATE BILL 1150 WHICH WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED OUT-OF-STATE SIGNATURE GATHERING.

OPPONENTS ARE EXPRESSED CONCERNING THAT THE LEGISLATION THAT THAT -- WHO ARE OTHERWISE QUALIFIED VOTERS.

THOUGH AMENDMENTS ADDED EXEMPTIONS FOR MEN TEAR MEMBERS AND MISSIONARIES, LITTLE SAID THE BILL STILL UNFAIRLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OTHER OHIOANS WHO MAY -- IDAHOIANS WHO MAY FIND THEMSELVES OUT OF STATE.

>>> I AM RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IDAHO.

[CHEERING] >> ON WEDNESDAY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JANICE McGUILLEN ANNOUNCED SHE'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE VIOLATION OF OUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OUR STATE SOVEREIGNTY, AND OUR TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES IS INTOLERABLE.

I REFUSE TO STAND BY AND ALLOW THESE ABUSES TO GO UNCHALLENGED.

THAT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO OUR STATE AND A VIOLATION OF MY SWORN OATH TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO.

[CHEERING] >> GOVERNOR RICKETTS HASN'T ANNOUNCED HIS RUN FOR A SECOND TERM PUT HE SAID DON'T BE SHOOKED -- SHOCKED AT HIS DECISION.

HAS CAMPAIGN HAS FILEDDED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OFFICIAL ED HUMPHRIES.

ONLY ONE OTHER IDAHO LIEUTENANT HAS LAUNCHED A PRI MARCH CHALLENGE IN 1938 WHEN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CHARLES GOSSETT RAN AGAINST ANOTHER GOVERNOR.

BOTH OF THEM ENDED UP LOSING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION TO SEAT BEN ROSS WHO LOST THE GENERAL ELECTION TO CLARENCE ALBERT POTLESON.

>>> ON FRIDAY GIDDINGS ANNOUNCED SHE'S RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>>> SPEAKING OF INTRAPARTY FIGHTS, THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION SAW PLENTY OF TUSSLING AMONG REPUBLICANS WHO MAKE UP THE SUPERMAJORITY IN THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE.

DEMOCRATS CALLED IT THE LOWERS SESSION -- WORST SESSION IN IDAHO HISTORY.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAID THEY DISAGREE, HAILING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND INCOME TAX CUTS AS MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

ON THURSDAY I SAT DOWN WITH HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT BEDKE TO GET HIS TAKE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU THINK THAT THIS SESSION WENT PRETTY WELL.

>> WELL, AGAINST THE UNPREDICTABLE BACKDROP OF THE COVID-19, YES, I DO THINK -- I DO THINK IT WENT WELL.

THERE WERE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT.

IDAHOANS SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT WE SET A PRUNED BUDGET.

AND THAT -- PRUDENT BUDGET AND THAT WE FUNDED THE SCHOOLS.

WE DID ALL THE THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY DO.

AND SOME OF THE -- THAT WE USUALLY TAKE FOR GRANTED.

BUT AGAINST THAT BACKDROP, WE -- STATE OF IDAHO'S ECONOMY IS DOING GREAT.

WE HAVE A SURPLUS THAT WAS UNPREDICTED, AND FRANKLY UNPRECEDENTED.

AND SO WITH THAT SURPLUS, WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE ONGOING PROPERTY TAX -- EXCUSE ME, ONGOING INCOME TAX RELIEF, INCLUDING A REFUND CHECK BASED ON THE TAXES THAT YOU PAID LAST YEAR TO ALL IDAHOANS EVEN IF YOU OWED NO TAXES.

THAT WILL BE A MINIMUM SENT BACK.

AND THAT WILL END UP BEING THE -- ALL TOTALED, LARGEST TAX CUT THAT IDAHO HAS EVER DONE WITH REGARD TO DOLLARS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE COMMITTED PART OF THIS GOOD ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT WE HAVE IN THIS STATE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN THE UNION.

CERTAINLY IN THE TOP THREE DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ASK.

BUT AND WE HAVE THE ASSOCIATED GROWING PAINS IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO USE PART OF THAT GROWTH IN THE SALES TAX RECEIPTS TO DEDICATE TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE NOT JUST FOR THE STATE PORTION BUT ALSO GOING OUT TO CITIES AND COUNTIES AND HIGHWAY DISTRICTS.

AND SO THAT -- WHEN WE LOOK BACK 10 YEARS FROM NOW, ABOUT WHAT WE DID IN 2021 THAT REALLY COUNTED, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THIS COMMITMENT TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ALSO REDREW THE LINES A LITTLE BIT ON HOW THE STATE IS GOING TO REACT TO FUTURE EMERGENCIES OR FUTURE DISASTERS.

THAT WAS CODE THAT HAD NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND IT WAS STRESS TESTED AND WE FOUND WAYS TO IMPROVE THAT.

ULTIMATELY THE GOVERNOR SIGNED ALL OF THOSE BILLS AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRAW A BRIGHT LINE IN BETWEEN WHAT NATURAL DISASTERS, FIRES, FLOODS, ET CETERA, AND THE OTHER TYPES OF DISASTERS, ACTS OF WAR, TERRORISM, AND THE LIKE.

AND SO THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE.

WE DID THAT.

I THINK MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN SOME AREAS OF THE STATE, IS WE INCREASED A HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION BY 25%.

AND THAT'S REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO ANYONE THAT OWNS A HOME.

AND -- AND CHANGED SOME OF THE CODE AROUND HOW PROPERTY TAXES ARE CALCULATED.

ET CETERA.

SO THAT WE CAN BETTER MANAGE THE GROWTH AND THAT WE CAN HAVE GROWTH PAYING FOR GROWTH RATHER THAN GOING BACK AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU AND I ARE NEIGHBORS, AND IF I IMPROVE MY PROPERTY, THAT SHOULD NOT RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

AND SO WE TRIED TO BEND THE CURVE A LITTLE BIT ON THE -- ON THE GROWTH THERE.

IS THAT'S AN ONGOING -- THAT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE STILL HAVE THE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO TAKE THAT UP AND WE WILL.

AND I SUSPECT THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES IN IDAHO.

>> YOU KNOW, AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON ALL OF THOSE TOPICS, BUT SINCE YOU ENDED WITH PROPERTY TAX, LET'S START THERE.

WE HEARD PROTESTS FROM A LOT OF OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY IN THE TREASURER VALLEY, WHO WERE NOT ONLY UNHAPPY WITH THE BILL ITSELF BUT ALSO THE PROCESS.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ITERATIONS OF THIS, BUT THE ONE THAT FINALLY PASSED AND WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR CAME TOGETHER OR AT LEAST CAME OUT PUBLICLY IN THE LAST THREE DAYS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHEN YOU WERE THERE, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO FELT THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GIVE INPUT ON SOMETHING THAT THEY FELT WOULD REALLY AFFECT THEIR CITY OR COUNTY BUDGETS.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO SUCH A LARGE COMPLEX BILL WITH SUCH BIG IMPLICATIONS, WHY RUSH IT THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE?

>> WELL, IT MAY HAVE LOOKED RUSHED THROUGH TO THE OUTSIDERS, BUT THAT WAS AN ISSUE THAT WE TOOK UP FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WEEKS OF THE SESSION.

THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE ENTIRE 120 DAYS, FRANKLY.

AND YOU KNOW, SO IF YOU LIKE THE BILL, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK A GOOD PROCESS.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE BILL, THEN YOU USE THE COMMON REFRAIN OF, OH, THIS WAS FORCED THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE.

WE HEAR THAT FROM TIME TO TIME.

BUT YOU DON'T -- IT DOESN'T PASS WITH THE MARGINS THAT IT DID IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE.

AND BE SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IF THAT WAS JUST DROPPED ON EVERYBODY'S LAST IN -- LAP IN THE LAST THREE DAYS.

IT'S A COMPLICATED BILL, A COMPLEX SUBJECT.

AND SO IT TOOK MANY, MANY HOURS OF CONVERSATIONS TO GET THE COMPROMISE THAT WAS REPRESENTED IN THAT HOUSE BILL 389.

NOW, IT ALSO CAPS THE AMOUNT OF BUDGETS, YOU KNOW, THAT ARE JUST GOING TO GROW.

AND SO IN SOME PLACES, SOME OF THE CITIES IN THE TREAS -- TREASURER -- PRESSURE VALLEY WILL HAVE TO REBUDGET.

ALL HOMEOWNERS WILL -- CAN EXPECT A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THEIR PROPERTY TAXES BASED ON THIS INCREASE OF THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION.

AND SO YOU KNOW, BUT AGAIN, I COMMIT THAT IT'S -- IT WILL BE AN ONGOING PROCESS.

WE'LL HAVE CONVERSATIONS THROUGH THE INTERIM AND I'M POSITIVE NEXT YEAR ON THIS VERY -- ON THIS VERY SUBJECT.

ONE THING WE ALL NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT -- THAT THE STATE, WHILE WE SET THE PARAMETERS AND SET THE -- DRAW THE LAWS WITHIN EVERYBODY WORKS, SO ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT HAS OR COMPLAINS ABOUT THEIR TAXES GOING UP HAS BEEN OKAY WITH A SET OF COMMISSIONERS OR A SET OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT DO -- ALL PROPERTY TAXES GO THERE AND RUN THEIR SERVICES.

AND SO NOT -- YOU HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

JESS -- YES, THE STATE HAS OVERSIGHT IN ALL OF THAT, BUT WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD IS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT CALDWELL HAS PAUSED NEW DEVELOPMENT WHILE THEY STUDY THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS BILL IN OTHER CITIES -- AND OTHER CITIES ARE CONSIDERING THE SAME?

>> I THINK THAT GIVES US -- YOU KNOW, IT -- YEAH, MAYBE CONCERN, BUT IT'S NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE ABILITY TO CREATE SOME MILL THEATER HERE.

AND TOP SOME POLITICAL THEATER HERE TO AND EXAGGERATE THE EFFECTS OF THE BILL.

CALDWELL AND CONCERNWELL AND WESTERN ADA COUNTY AND CAINY COUNTY ARE GROWING VERY QUICKLY AND IN -- AT A LEVEL THAT IS MAKING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES, IF YOU'RE A HOMEOWNER, GO UP AND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ALL THE GROWTH AND ALL THE NEW CONSTRUCTION.

SO I THINK MANY -- I THINK TAXPAYRS ARE HAPPY THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION, NOR SHOULD THEY.

AND WE HAVE A BUDGET-DRIVEN SYSTEM THAT'S -- THAT SOMETIMES CRANKS OUT THESE OUTCOMES THAT NO ONE LIKES.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AGAIN, WE ALSO CHANGED THE -- YOU KNOW, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PROCESS.

THAT'SBASICALLY WHERE THE STATE PAYS PEOPLE THAT QUAL -- IT QUALIFIES PROPERTY TAXES.

AND SO MADE THAT A LITTLE EASIER, MADE THAT -- LOWERED SOME OF THE HURDLES, MADE IT EASIER TO QUALIFY FOR, BUT ALSO REMOVED THE ABILITY TO GAME THAT SYSTEM AS WELL.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, SPEAKING OF GROWTH.

YOU KNOW, PAST LEGISLATURES HAVE LONG RESISTED USING AGENDA FUND DOLLARS FOR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, SAYING THAT IT WOULD COMPETE AGAINST EDUCATION.

THIS WAS BROUGHT UP IN DEBATE BY THE CO-CHAIR FLT JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE, SENATOR STEVE BARE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED DURING THE EXTRA SESSION, TRANSPORTATION WOULD BE COMPETING WITH THINGS LIKE DIRECTIONS AND K-12 AND ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT RELY ON THE GENERAL FUND.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> NO, I'M NOT.

WE'RE USING SUCH A SMALL PORTION OF THE GENERAL FUND AS SALES TAX -- AND SALES TAX SPECIFICALLY.

OUR ECONOMY IS GROWING QUICKLY T RECEIPTS INTO THE SALES TAX PART OF THE BUDGET ARE GROWING AT A VERY SUSTAINABLE RATE.

AND TO CARVE OUT PART OF THAT AND DEDICATE THAT TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION I THINK IS FITTING AND PROPER.

WE'VE ALWAYS RELIES ON FUEL TAXES.

AND -- RELIED ON FUEL TAXES.

AND AS THE IDAHO FLEET BECOMES MORE EFFICIENT, THE GROWTH THAT WE'RE ALL EXPERIENCING DOES NOT REFLECT IN IT THE RECEIPTS FROM THE FUEL TAX.

AND WE NEED TO -- NEEDED TO INDEX THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO A GROWING FUND AS SOMETHING THAT MORE CLOSELY REFLECTS WHAT THE ECONOMY IS DOING.

FUEL TAX DOESN'T NECESSARILY DO THAT.

AND AS MANY OF US LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE PAID SALES TAXES ON OUR AMAZON DELIVERIES AND PART OF THAT SALES TAX GOING BACK INTO SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DELIVERED THOSE PACKAGES, NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION.

AND PROPER.

IDAHO IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT DIDN'T RELY ON THE GENERAL FUND AND NOW WE DO TO A SMALL DEGREE.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT THAT WILL -- AGAIN, WHEN WE LOOK BACK, WE'RE GOING TO THINK THAT THIS WAS A PRETTY GOOD IDEA AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO SOME GOOD STUFF.

>> AS THE STATE'S POPULATION KEEPS GROWING, OUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AS YOU SAID ARE GOING TO GROW WITH IT.

IS THIS GOING TO BE ENOUGH OR IS THERE A NEXT BIG STEP WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION FUNDING THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT?

>> WELL, WE DON'T KNOW, I GUESS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD -- A PERFECTLY GOOD LEGISLATIVE SEX NEXT YEAR AND -- NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT TO ADDRESS THOSE QUESTIONS.

AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE.

GROWTH BRINGS GROWING PAINS.

AND WE'VE GOT TO -- AND TO DESCRIBE WHAT THOSE ARE TODAY, FIVE YEARS OUT OR WHATEVER, WE HAVE MAYBE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA.

BUT WE CAN'T PREDICT THOSE COMPLETELY.

AND SO WE GOT TO BE READY TO REACT TO WHAT COMES DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THIS INVESTMENT THAT WE'VE MADE THIS SESSION WILL PAY DIVIDENDS AND NOT ONLY IN THE STATE SYSTEM BUT ALSO IN THE LOCAL SYSTEM.

ALL THE ARTERIAL ROADS THAT YOU USE IN THE VALLEY TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO THE OTHER, IT'S USUALLY NOT THE FREEWAY.

IT'S ALL OF THE OTHER STUFF.

ALL THE OTHER ROADS THAT ARE MANAGED BY, IN THIS CASE, ACHD, AND THEY'LL BE THE DIRECT RECIPIENT OF THIS MONEYS AS WELL.

>> YEAH, I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE VOTER INITIATIVES.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS FEEL STRONGLY THAT RULE I'D -- RURAL IDAHO SHOULD HAVE A BIGGER SAY IN WHAT VOTER INITIATIVES END UP IN THE BALLOT.

BUT THE WAY THIS BILL WAS CRAFTED, A SINGLE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT HAS VETO POWER OVER SOMETHING THAT POTENTIALLY, 34 OTHER DISTRICTS WANT.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL THAT THIS MIGHT BACK FIRE, THAT THERE'S A DISTRICT OR THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT EVERY OTHER DISTRICT WANTS ON THE BALLOT BUT YOU KNOW, BOISE'S NORTH END SAYS WE'RE GOING TO VETO THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO DISMISS WHAT RURAL IDAHO HAS TO SAY.

>> WELL, KEEP IN MIND THAT THE THRESHOLD PER DISTRICT IS ONLY 6% OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED IN THE LAST ELECTIONS.

THAT'S NOT OVERLY -- [INAUDIBLE].% WHAT'S INTERESTING YESTERDAY I WAS IN A MEETING IN TWIN FALLS, IN RURAL TWIN FALLS OUT IN BUELL.

AND THIS ISSUE CAME UP.

AND THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT MEETING WERE COMPLETELY COMPLIMENTARY IN WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DID IN THAT -- YOU KNOW, GETTING THE NECESSARY SIGNATURES IN EACH DISTRICT IS NOT A FOREIGN CONCEPT TO THEM AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT OF OF THE PROCESS.

-- OUT OF THE PROCESS.

WHEN THE CITIZENS ACT AS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, THEN THAT SHOULD INVOLVE ALL OF THEM.

>> AND THE CITIZENS ACT AGAINST THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH IS A RIGHT THAT'S PROTECTED IN THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT -- THERE ARE NOW TWO LAWSUITS OVER THIS BILL.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THIS WILL HOLD UP IN COURT?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALWAYS -- THAT'S ALWAYS QUESTIONABLE.

WHO KNOWS.

WE'RE -- AND WHATEVER THE COURT SAYS IS WHERE WE'LL LIVE IN THE FUTURE.

SO I DON'T WANT TO PREDICT WHAT THEY WILL DO OR NOT DO.

BUT I THINK THAT, NUMBER ONE, MY POSITION IS TO KEEP THE INITIATIVE PROCESS AND THE REFERENDUM PROCESS VIABLE.

AND -- BUT IT ALSO NEEDS TO REPRESENT THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN MUCH OF OUR GROWTH IS CONCENTRATED IN A FEW AREAS, AND I THINK THAT CREATES SOME CONCERNS IN THE OTHER AREAS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BIG REASON OF COURSE THAT THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T ADJOURN FOR THE SESSION BUT INSTEAD RECESSED WITH THE ABILITY TO COME BACK.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW THAT YOU THINK WILL PROMISE YOU TO COME BACK THIS SUMMER OR FALL?

>>> WE DO NOT CAN'T TO BE A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

SO IN SPECIAL SESSIONS REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SPECIAL.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WILL TRIGGER US COMING IN.

HAVING SAID THAT, LAST YOUR OUR STATE RECEIVED LITERALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WE'VE ACCOUNTED FOR THEM AND DIRECTED THEM IN THE AREAS WHERE WE COULD TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT -- REGARDLESS OF THE FEDERAL SPENDING, THAT THE STATE INVESTED THOSE DOLLARS AS WISELY AS WE POSSIBLY COULD.

AND ALL OF THE ARC MONEYS ARE ACTED FOR.

NOW, SHOULD THERE BE ADDITIONAL BILLIONS OF DOLLARS DOWN THE ROAD, THEN I THINK THAT MIGHT BE -- CROSS THE THRESHOLD OF WHERE IT'S PROPER.

THAT WE COME IN AND OVERSEE THE APPROPRIATION PROCESS.

LET'S NEVER FORGET WHO WE WORK FOR, AND THAT IS YOU, THE IDAHO CITIZENS AND YOU PAY FEDERAL TAXES AND YOU PAY STATE TAXES.

AND IF THE FEDERAL POCKET OF YOUR TAXES AND COMING IN AND -- IN THE AMOUNTS THAT WE DESCRIBED, I DON'T THINK IT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WHO IS TASKED CONSTITUTIONALLY WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF APPROPRIATING THE MONEY TO LEAVE A CRACK IN THE DOOR FOR THE UNFORESEEN AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

>> DOES THIS INDEFINITE RECESS SET A PRECEDENT FOR FUTURE SESSIONS?

>> IT -- IT MAY.

IT MAY NOT.

I CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE.

BUT AGAIN, ANY -- ANY DISRUPTION THAT IT CREATES IN THE STATE AGENCIES AND WITH THAT BUREAUCRACY IS -- I THINK IS A SECONDARY CONCERN TO THE -- TO THE WAY I DESCRIBED IT EARLIER.

WE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE OVERSEE SOME THE SPENDING OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS.

AND IF WE GET THE AMOUNTS OF DOLLARS THAT WE DID LAST YEAR, THIS -- LATE THIS SUMMER, THEN I THINK IT'S PROPER THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAVE A ROLE IN THE OVERSEEING OF THAT SPENDING.

AGAIN, IT'S THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AS WELL.

AND IT -- IT'S THE CHECK AND BALANCE SYSTEM THAT WE ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

IT SEEMS TO -- AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT WORKS.

BUT AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ABOUT -- THIS IS NOT A BACK DOOR TO A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

NONE OF US -- NONE OF US -- NONE OF US WANT THAT.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYONE, BUT I -- VAST MAJORITY AND MOSTLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

IDAHO WOULD NOT BE WELL SERVED BY THAT AT THIS POINT.

>> I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE HOUSE'S RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY.

I KNOW THAT, FIRST OF ALL, YOU CAN'T COMMENT ON WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ACTIVE COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEMBERS, THOUGH WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES AND THERE HAVE BEEN MORE FORM LETTERS SUBMITTED ASKING FOR AN ETHICS HEARING ON REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT -- PRISCILLA GIDDINGS.

SO I KNOW YOU CAN'T COMMENT ON THINGS THAT ARE NOT YET PUBLIC.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT WRITING A NEW RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY IN RESPONSE TO WHAT HAPPENED THIS PAST SESSION WITH REPRESENTATIVE OR FORMER REPRESENTATIVE EHLINGER.

WHAT SORT OF CHANGES TO YOU ANTICIPATE MAKING TO THAT POLICY?

>> WELL, THE RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY IS A POLICY THAT OVERNS ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES AND -- IN THE COMPANY.

-- IN THE CAPITOL AND THEIR EXPECTATION FOR THEIR PROTECTION, ET CETERA.

AND HOW ALL OF THE VARIOUS RELATIONSHIPS WILL GO.

THE MEMBERS, BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE, ARE GOVERNED WITHTHEIR RULES, BUT -- BY THEIR RULES, BUT THERE'S AN INTERFACE BETWEEN THE CAPITOL WORKPLACE POLICIES AND THOSE RULES.

SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THAT.

AND I DID SEND OUT A RELEASE, REITERATING OUR SUPPORT OF THE RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY AS PRESENTLY CONS SUBSTITUTELED.

IT IS A -- CONSTITUTED.

IT CAME FROM THE EMPLOYEES INSIDE THE BUILDING, FROM LSO, FROM THE LOBBY CORE, THE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS STILL WAS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL.

AND PUT BUT THERE IS NO FORMAL WAY, FRANKLY, FOR THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE TO ADOPT THAT AS OUR POLICIES.

IT'S THE POLICY OF THE BUILDING.

BUT WE WANTED TO REITERATE OUR SUPPORT FOR THAT.

AND SO NOW WITH HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF THAT POLICY, WE WANT TO HAVE A LOT OF EYES FROM INSIDE THE BUILDING AND OUTSIDE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT SO THAT IT BEST REFLECTS THE -- THE H.R.

POLICIES OF CONTEMPORARY BUSINESSES.

WE WANT TO -- YOU KNOW, I HAD -- I HAD TWO DAUGHTERS THAT WERE -- WORKED HERE IN THE CAPITOL AS PAGES AND THEN INTERNS.

IN OTHER -- WELL, NATIONALLY -- YOU KNOW, IN CONGRESS.

AND I AS A FATHER, AND -- EXPECTED A RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY THERE.

I DIDN'T -- I DIDN'T -- OF ALL THE THINGS I HAD TO WORRY ABOUT, IT WAS NOT ABOUT MY DAUGHTERS' SAFETY.

AND I THINK ALL PARENTS, ALL -- IDAHO EXPECTS US TO HAVE A VIABLE PAGE PROGRAM.

A VIABLE INTERN PROGRAM.

AND ELECTED OFFICIALS OF ALL LEVELS SHOULD BE AND MUST, HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICIES REFLECT THAT DESIRE OF HOLDING EVERYONE TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

>> SOME MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS DEFENDED FORMER REPRESENT LIFE EHLINGER BY SAYING THERE WEREN'T ANY ADOPTED SPECIFICS SPELLED OUT RULES THAT SAID THAT LAWMAKERS SHOULD NOT DATE SUBORDINATE LITTLE.

IS THAT A -- SUBORDINATES.

IS THAT A CRITICISM AND IS THE POLICY GOING TO SPELL THAT OUT?

>> THAT IS NOT A VALID CRITICISM.

EVERY NEW LEGISLATOR GOES THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE ORIENTATION PROCESS WHERE THEY'RE MADE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THESE RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF EACH OF US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND TO SAY THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RULE OR THERE'S NO RULES, SO THEREFORE THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY CONSEQUENCE, THAT'S A BOGUS ARGUMENT.

>> I WANT TO ASK, LOOKING FORWARD, YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS YEAR'S INCOME TAX BILL WAS THE LARGEST TAX RELIEF BILL THAT IDAHO HAS EVER SEEN.

AFTER PASSING CUTS TO INCOME TAXES, IS THERE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET LOOKING FORWARD TO INCREASE THE GROCERY TAX CREDIT OR REPEAL THE GROCERY TAX ALTOGETHER LIKE MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS, SOME MEMBERS HAVE SAID THAT THEY WANT?

>> WELL, AND THAT'S A COMPLICATED SUBJECT AND WE COULD GO INTO IT IF YOU HAVE TIME.

PUT HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE, IS THAT IF WE REMOVE THE SALES TAX OFF OF FOOD, THE RETAILERS ARE USED TO YOU PAYING THE SALES TAX AND THEY SET THEIR PRICES OF MILK FOR EXAMPLE, BASED ON WHAT THE MARKET WILL BEAR.

THE FACT THAT THE STATE REMOVES THE SALES TAX OFF OF THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE GROCERY RETAILERS ARE GOING TO RECIPROCATE BY LOWERING -- BY PASSING THOSE SAVINGS ON TO YOU.

YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT YOU'LL PAY -- YOU KNOW, LET'S SAY MILK IS $3 A GALLON.

YOU'VE BEEN PAYING 18 CENTS ON TOP OF THAT AS A TAILS TAX -- SALES TAX.

YOU'VE PROVEN THAT YOU'LL PAY $3.18 FOR MILK.

IF THE SALES TAX IS REMOVED, ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE THAT 18 CENTS BACK TO YOU OR PUT IT IN THEIR POCKET?

THAT'S ONE.

AND LIKE I SAY, WE CAN TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER GOOD REASONS FOR WHY EVERYONE SHOULD FILE INCOME TAXES.

WE CALL IT A GROCERY TAX CREDIT BUT IT'S REALLY A REFUNDABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT.

AND SO YOU HAVE TO FILE YOUR INCOME TAXES TO QUALIFY.

THAT KEEPS EVERYONE FILING.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT -- THEY'RE IN THE STATE AND THAT PASS THROUGH THAT PAY NO STATE INCOME TAX.

YET THEY PAY SALES TAX ON FOOD.

AND THEY USE IDAHO SERVICES.

AND SO YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE TWO QUICK THINGS THAT COME TO MIND.

AND I -- YOU KNOW, WE'LL LOOK AT IT DOWN THE ROAD GEP.

BUT -- ROAD AGAIN.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE TAX RELIEF, WHICH SHOULD BE RELIEF THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO IDAHOANS AND NOT THE OUT-OF-STATERS OR PEOPLE WHO DON'T FILE NEXT TACK -- INCOME TAX.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR WATCHING.

FOR UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, MAKE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING "IDAHO REPORTS" ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

NEXT FRIDAY GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS IS SCHEDULED TO JOIN US.

-- GOVERNOR RICKETTS BRAD.

IS SCHEDULED TO JOIN US.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSITION THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, BUILDING THE GRADE STAY OF IDAHO.

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