>> 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.

>> AFTER A YEAR OF DISTANCE LEARNING AND UNCERTAINTY FOR IDAHO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND TEACHERS, THE LEGISLATURE IS TACKLING EDUCATION ISSUES AND CONCERNS OVER CONTENT ARE DOMINATING THE CONVERSATION.

I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

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

THIS WEEK SENATOR JANIE WENG AND REPRESENTATIVE WENDY WARD-ENGELKING JOIN ME TO DISCUSS EDUCATION BUDGETS AND THE CONTROVERSY OVER SOCIAL JUSTICE CONTENT AND PROGRAMS.

THEN, KEVIN RICHERT OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS GIVES US A RUNDOWN OF SOME OF THE MAJOR EDUCATION POLICY PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

>> BUT FIRST, ON FRIDAY, THE STATE ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS SET UP A WEBSITE WHERE IDAHOANS CAN PREREGISTER FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THIS COMES AFTER WEEKS OF CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION FROM SOME IDAHOANS WHO HAD TROUBLE SECURING APPOINTMENTS, OR EVEN FIGURING OUT WHERE THEY COULD GET VACCINATED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AT THE WEBSITE, COVIDVACCINE.IDAHO.GOV, YOU CAN ENTER YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, WHICH COUNTIES YOU'RE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO FOR AN APPOINTMENT, AND INFORMATION THAT HELPS THE STATE DETERMINE WHICH PRIORITY GROUP YOU'RE IN.

WHEN YOU'RE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AND AN APPOINTMENT IN YOUR AREA OPENS UP, A PROVIDER WILL CONTACT YOU IF YOU CHOOSE TO PREREGISTER.

>> BACK AT THE STATE HOUSE, LAWMAKERS SPENT A GOOD PART OF THE WEEK DEBATING SO-CALLED SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

ON TUESDAY, THAT DISCUSSION HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR AS LAWMAKERS DEBATED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SPEND A $6 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GRANTED THAT MONEY TO IDAHO IN JANUARY.

>> SINCE THEN, THE IDAHO ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THE GROUP THAT I MENTIONED PRIOR, AND THE OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING THAT NEEDS ANALYSIS AND WORKING THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN BUILDING WHAT WE CALL OUR -- WHAT THEY CALL LOCAL EDUCATION COLLABORATIVES.

I'LL GET INTO THOSE IN A ALSO BIT.

BUT THIS IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.

THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT ALREADY EXISTS IN IDAHO, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A YEAR NOW, THIS IS A RENEWAL OF THE GRANT FOR THREE MORE YEARS TO CONTINUE AND BUILD OUT AND FLESH OUT AND HELP YOUNG CHILDREN HERE IN IDAHO.

>> SOME OF THE ORIGINAL GOALS OF THE GRANT, JUST TO BE CLEAR, LIKE I SAID, COMPLETION OF A STATEWIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD NEEDS ASSESSMENT, DEVELOP OF A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, MAXIMIZING PARENTAL CHOICE AND ENGAGEMENT, SHARING BEST PRACTICES AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE, AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS TO PREPARE FOR KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

AND IMPROVING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE STATE'S EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

>> IN THE BILL LANGUAGE IT SAYS THAT THE GOAL WOULD BE TO PROVIDE EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR THESE PRESCHOOLERS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN -- MAYBE YOU KNOW, WHO WILL CONTROL THE CONTENT OF THOSE EDUCATION RESOURCES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO THE PRESCHOOLERS?

>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

GOOD LADY, JUST NOT TO PRESCHOOLERS, SO THIS GRANT DOES INCLUDE ESSENTIALLY BURST-THROUGH ENTRY INTO KINDERGARTEN.

THE RESOURCES ARE DEVELOPED ESSENTIALLY THROUGH THE IDAHO ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> ULTIMATELY THE HOUSE NARROWLY VOTED DOWN THE BILL BY JUST ONE VOTE, SPARKING A PROTEST ON WEDNESDAY AT THE STATE HOUSE FROM A GROUP OF MOSTLY WOMEN WHO ASKED THE LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET COMMITTEE TO REVIVE THE GRANT.

>> THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS THAT REPRESENTATIVE CHARLIE SHEPHERD SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT THE BILL IF IT CAME TO THE FLOOR AGAIN, WHICH MAY BE ENOUGH TO BREAK THE ORIGINAL TIED VOTE.

FULL DISCLOSURE, IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS A STATE AGENT AND I HAS A CONNECTED SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL.

"IDAHO REPORTS" IS NOT CONNECTED TO THAT PROGRAMMING, AND OUR EDITORIAL DECISIONS ARE INDEPENDENT OF IT.

>> AT A VIRTUAL EVENT WITH THE IDAHO PRESS CLUB ON WEDNESDAY, GOVERNOR LITTLE WAS ASKED ABOUT THE GRANT, AND WHETHER IT'S DEAD FOR THE SESSION.

>> I WAS HOPEFUL THAT WHEN I TALKED TO BETH OPPENHEIMER ABOUT IT THAT THAT GRANT WAS GOING TO HELP THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ADDRESS THAT.

THAT IS NOT TO BE NOW, IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

AND I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THAT.

BUT I -- THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING THAT WHAT WE DO FOR THESE KIDS EARLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR IDAHO AND GOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND WE'LL TRY AGAIN.

>> WILL YOU TRY AGAIN THIS SESSION, OR IS IT DEAD FOR THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE STATE BOARD ABOUT IT, IT JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

HI OTHER MEETINGS, BUT THE ONE THING WE WILL KEEP TRYING IS TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SUPPORT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EARLY LEARNING, WHETHER IT BE LITERACY OR WHATEVER ELSE IS THERE, AND IF IT'S THE FORM -- IF THERE'S SOME OTHER FORM, WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK AT IT.

AND WE'LL WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE, TRYING TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

THERE'S ALWAYS CONCERN WHEN IT'S A FEDERAL GRANT WITH STRINGS SOME DESIGNATED AND SOME NOT DESIGNATED, AND PERHAPS WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.

IT IS IN EVERYBODY'S BEST INTEREST, PARTICULARLY THESE KIDS THAT HAVE A TOUGHER CHALLENGES AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE TOUGHER CHALLENGES THAN WE HAVE -- THAT WE HAVE BOTH CONSTITUTIONAL AND MORAL OBLIGATION TO TRY AND HELP THESE KIDS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WENDY WARD-ENGELKING AND SENATOR JANIE WENG BOTH SIT THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, AND HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON PUBLIC EDUCATION BUDGETS FOR YEARS.

THEY JOINED ME ON THURSDAY TO TALK ABOUT THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GRANT, AS WELL AS OTHER EDUCATION BUDGETS.

>> THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

I WANTED TO START OUT THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD FEDERAL GRANT THAT WAS VOTED DOWN IN THE HOUSE EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THE SPENDING AUTHORITY FOR IT.

REPRESENT WARD-ENGELKING, WERE YOU SURPRISED?

>> I WAS -- REPRESENTATIVE WARD-ENGELKING -- HORMAN.

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED.

I THINK YOU SAW THAT REFLECTED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR YESTERDAY, DIFFERENT OPINIONS OF WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD PAY FOR THAT, WHETHER THAT SHOULD GO MORE TO FAMILIES AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, AND A LOT OF THAT CAME OUT ON THE FLOOR YESTERDAY.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE WORK ORDER FOR THREE YEARS, IT WAS A BIPARTISAN GROUP THAT CAME TOGETHER, SENATOR BUCKNER-WEBB AND MYSELF AND CHAIRMAN CLOW, AND REPRESENTATIVE EARHART.

I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED BECAUSE I SAW WHERE SOME OF THOSE VOTES THAT I THOUGHT WE HAD IN THE BAG DID NOT COME THROUGH.

AND SO THE REALITY IS, IT'S -- THAT MONEY WAS TO GO FOR LOCAL COLLABORATIVES, TO SEE WHERE THE NEEDS WERE, TO PUT SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT WOULD HELP FAMILIES IN THE -- IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

AND IT WAS TOTALLY UP TO THE COMMUNITIES HOW IT SHOULD BE USED, AND WHERE THE NEED WAS, AND SO I'M PRETTY DISAPPOINTED, IT'S A $6 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT, NO STATE FUNDING WAS GOING TO GO TOWARD IT, AND IT WAS UP TO COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES TO DECIDE IF THEY HAVE A NEED, ALONG WITH BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

SO I WAS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED.

I HOPE WE HAVE A PATH FORWARD, AND MAYBE WENDY KNOWS MORE ABOUT THAT THAN I DO.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

A LOT OF WHAT CAME OUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONTENT.

WHAT MIGHT BE TAUGHT TO THESE YOUNGSTERS.

AND FRANKLY, THERE WAS SOME SOLID EVIDENCE PRESENTED THAT LED THAT TO BE IN QUESTION.

SO YOU'VE SEEN NEWS J F A C TAKING APPROACH ABOUT LANGUAGE ABOUT RESTRICTING USES OF FUNDS OR PROHIBITING USES OF FUNDS.

SO I WON CUSTOMER IF MAYBE THE PATH FORWARD ISN'T AROUND INTENT LANGUAGE, RESTRICTING ANY PARTISAN OR POLITICAL CONTENT THAT MIGHT BE UTILIZED.

BUT AS REPRESENTATIVE -- SENATOR WARD-ENGELKING SAID, THOSE DECISIONS REALLY DO RESIDE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT THERE WERE SOME BONA FIDE CONCERNS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY TO HAVE THE BILL NOT PASS.

>> IF I MIGHT ADD, BETH OPPENHEIMER REALLY HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB DEALING WITH THESE GRANTS, AND FIGURING OUT A PATHWAY FORWARD FOR US.

AND SHE'S AN INCREDIBLE ADMINISTRATOR, AND DOES REALLY GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

I TRUST HER EXPLICITLY, BUT IF WE NEED TO PUT MORE INTENT LANGUAGE IN, MAYBE THAT'S THE PATHWAY FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN, YOU MENTIONED COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT WAS BROUGHT UP ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU PERSONALLY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COMING UP IN THESE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS?

>> IT IS.

SOME OF THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS PRESENTED WAS FROM THE ASSOCIATION'S OWN WEBSITE.

AND I DID CALL BETH BEFORE THE VOTE, BECAUSE I WANTED THAT REASSURANCE THAT THIS TYPE OF CONTENT WOULD NOT BE USED.

THAT THE AFFILIATION WITH THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF MAYBE MORE CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT HERE IN IDAHO -- THAT WOULD BE REGARDED THAT WAY HERE IN IDAHO, I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THEIR AFFILIATION.

AND IN THE PROCESS OF THE CONVERSATION, SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEPARATE NONPROFITS, THEY DON'T GIVE US MONEY, WE DON'T GIVE THEM MONEY.

AND WE BOTH AGREED THAT MAYBE SHE SHOULD WEIGH THE VALUE OF BEING A PART OF THAT NETWORK IF THAT'S THE KIND OF CONTENT THAT'S -- BECOMES ASSOCIATED WITH HER ASSOCIATION, JUST BECAUSE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

SO I DO THINK -- I THINK THERE'S A WAY FORWARD, BUT IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE SOME REASSURANCES THAT THAT WILL NOT BE PART OF THAT ASSOCIATION'S MISSION.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ASSOCIATIONS HAVE A STATE ASSOCIATION, AND THEN THEY HAVE A NATIONAL.

AND CERTAINLY OUR VIEWS ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN IDAHO THAN THEY PROBABLY ARE NATIONALLY.

BUT I TOTALLY AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS AND THE FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN IT.

AND I TRUST OUR LOCAL PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR CHILDREN.

>> SO MANY OF THESE CONCERNS ABOUT CONTENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS CAME UP IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEBATE IN THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS WEEK AS WELL.

SPECIFICALLY IN REGARDS TO BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY.

SENATOR, I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THIS, HOW MUCH DOES THE CONVERSATION CHANGE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADULT STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM WANT THESE PROGRAMS?

>> WELL, I ACTUALLY RAN THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION AS ONE OF THE MOTIONS.

WE HAD ACTUALLY THREE MOTIONS ON THE FLOOR.

BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT WHEN SENATOR DID AN AMENDED SUBSTITUTE MOTION, THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VOTES TO GET THAT THROUGH.

AND IT WAS NOT EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED, BUT SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT, AND WHAT IT DID IS IT TOOK $400,000 FROM BSU FROM THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM AND GAVE IT TO LEWIS CLARK STATE COLLEGE.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL KEEP LEWIS STATE COLLEGE FROM -- LEWIS CLARK, EXCUSE ME, STATE COLLEGE, FROM HAVING TO RAISE TUITION, AND I SEE SOME BENEFIT THERE.

THE INTENT LANGUAGE IS PRETTY STRONG, AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT MOST OF OUR UNIVERSITIES DO OFFER SOME KIND OF DIVERSITY CLASSES OR SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, AND IT'S PART OF WHAT THEY DO.

UNIVERSITY LEVEL IS PRESENT ALL VIEWS, AND AS LONG AS ALL SIDES ARE PRESENTED ON AN ISSUE, I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT.

THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD DO IT.

AND IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING, HAVE ALL VIEWS PRESENTED, AND SO I'M OKAY WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE SENDING FORWARD, BUT IT WASN'T EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN, AND THE ISSUE IS BEING CALLED OUT PRETTY HARSHLY WHEN ALMOST ALL UNIVERSITIES INCLUDING BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY OFFER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS, AND OUR BUSINESSES ARE DEMANDING IT.

THEY WANT IT.

THEY NEED IT IN THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN, I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE, HOW MUCH OF A CONCERN IS THIS FOR YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S A BIG CONCERN.

IN THE HOUSE AND SOME CONSTITUENTS AS WELL.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, AND SOME FEEL THAT THE UNIVERSITIES HAVE BEEN MORE RESPONSIVE, SOME FEEL THEY'VE BEEN LESS RESPONSIVE.

I HAVE ENGAGED IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, AND HAVE BEEN REASSURED BY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE HEARD.

HOWEVER, THIS IDEA OF BIAS AND MAKING SURE AS SENATOR WARD-ENGELKING SAID, THAT BOTH PERSPECTIVES ARE PROVIDED.

I HAVE SPOKEN WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT NOT BEING THE CASE, AND SO THAT'S TROUBLING TO ME.

THIS WAS NOT A MOTION I COULD SUPPORT, THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING THAT MORNING, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO INTENT LANGUAGE AND REPORTING, AND RESTRICTING, AND I WASN'T COMFORTABLE WITH THE MOTION.

AND SO I VOTED NO, I DON'T DO THAT VERY OFTEN IN JFAC, I TRY TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE GROUP, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE I COULD NOT.

AND SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES WHEN IT GETS TO THE HOUSE.

>> IF I MIGHT ADD JUST ONE MORE POINT, YOU KNOW, OUR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS ARE ALL PRETTY NEW.

I THINK THEY'VE BEEN IN THE JOB NOW FOR TWO YEARS, SOME OF THEM, AND I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND A PATHWAY FORWARD THAT WILL MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO TURN THE SHIP THAT QUICKLY, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WERE DEALING WITH COVID AT THE SAME TIME.

SO I WANT TO GIVE THEM TIME TO GET THINGS THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE MAYBE, OR THAT THE WAY THEY WOULD LIKE TO.

IT JUST TAKES A LITTLE MORE TIME.

SO I'M TRYING TO GIVE THEM THE TIME THEY NEED TO DO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT FOR KIDS IN IDAHO, AND I KNOW THEY'LL GET THERE.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS, BECAUSE WE'VE ALSO SPOKEN TO STUDENTS AROUND THE STATE WHO SAY THAT IN THEIR VIEW, INCLUSIVITY IS AN IDAHO VALUE, AND THAT THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE.

SO IS IT, FOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, IS IT A MATTER OF MAKING SURE ALL VIEWS ARE PRESENT, OR IS IT A CONCERN THAT THESE VIEWS ARE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

IS THERE ROOM IN OTHER WORDS, FOR THIS CONVERSATION TO BE ON CAMPUS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK INCLUSIVITY IS EXACTLY WHEN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS LOOKING FOR.

THIS INCLUDES INDY 500 OF ALL VIEWPOINTS.

-- THIS INCLUSIVITY OF ALL VIEWPOINTS.

WE KNOW MOST COLLEGE CAMPUSES ARE LEFT LEANING.

THERE'S STUDIES SHOWING THAT, THE PROFESSORS.

BUT I DO BELIEVE, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT INCLUSIVITY IS THE EXACT VALUE THAT I PERSONALLY AM LOOKING FOR.

AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL VIEWPOINTS ARE ALLOWED AIR TIME.

>> I THINK KIDS ARE IDEALISTIC WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, AND -- BUT I DO THINK THAT THESE ARE THE TIMES WHEN THEY CAN GET THE INFORMATION FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT SOURCES, AND THEN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AS THEY MATURE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

I'VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID OF TOO MUCH INFORMATION, MAYBE TOO LITTLE, BUT NEVER TOO MUCH.

>> SENATOR, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE K-12 BUDGET THAT YOU AND REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN ARE WORKING ON?

>> WELL, THIS ONE I'M HOPING WE'RE BOTH GOING TO BE EXACTLY IN SYNC ON.

WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE ALREADY.

I'M HOPING THAT THAT WILL BE THE CASE, AND WE'RE BOTH LOOKING AT PUTTING SOME EXTRA MONEY IN TO THE BUDGET TO DEAL WITH THE LEARNING LAG WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WE KNOW IT'S THERE, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE VERY MUCH TIME TO CATCH THEM UP, AND SO WE WANT TO PUT SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY THERE, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO SEE WHERE WE PULL THAT MONEY, AND HOW EXACTLY TO DIRECT IT.

WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE MAYBE SOME IN-PERSON TYPE TUTORING, AND MAYBE SOME EVEN SUMMER SCHOOL.

BUT THERE'S ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME EXTENSION ON LICENSES FOR -- SO KIDS CAN TAKE IT HOME, AND WENDY CAN TALK MORE ON THAT.

.SHE'S BEEN LOOKING AT THAT VERY CAREFULLY.

BUT THE REALITY IS, WE HAVE RECORD SURPLUS RIGHT NOW, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF CARES MONEY OR ESSER MONEY COMING IN, AND IT'S FED FEDERAL RELIEF DOLLARS, AND WE, THIS IS WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE USED FOR.

IT NEEDS TO BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THAT LEARNING LAG THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN, I WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE, WHAT ARE YOUR BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH SENATOR WARD-ENGELKING, WHAT COULD BE MORE PERSONALIZED THAN LEARNING LOSS.

A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION WON'T CUT IT IN THIS SITUATION.

IT'S BEEN UNIQUE TO EVERY CHILD, AND EVERY FAMILY.

SO WE BOTH AGREE THAT IT'S NOT JUST THOSE IN THE K-3 SPACE THAT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS.

BUT THOSE MAYBE WHO ARE CLOSER TO GRADUATING AND MAYBE SUFFERING FROM LOSS OF CREDITS OR THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, I THINK THE NEED ACTUALLY MIGHT BE MORE URGENT THERE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE LESS TIME TO CATCH THEM UP.

THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY COMPLICATED BUDGET.

THERE HAVE BEEN HOLDBACKS, THERE HAVE BEEN MASSIVE INFUSIONS OF FEDERAL CASH, WE'RE LOOKING AT A NET $300 MILLION GAIN, AND THE CARES THREE MONEY ISN'T HERE YET.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT IN K-12.

AND I THINK IF WE USE IT WISELY, WE REALLY CAN MAKE UP -- HELP OUR STUDENTS MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

>> I HAVE MUCH MORE WITH REPRESENTATIVE HORMAN AND SENATOR WARD-ENGELKING ONLINE AT THE "IDAHO REPORTS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

YOU'LL FIND THE LINK AT IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE, HIT SUBSCRIBE.

>> THE EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANT WASN'T THE ONLY BUDGET HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTED DOWN THIS WEEK.

ON WEDNESDAY, THEY REJECT THE A $6 MILLION APPROPRIATION TO THE CATASTROPHIC HEALTHCARE FUND, AGAIN BY ONE VOTE, AND ON FRIDAY, THEY VOTED DOWN THE BUDGET FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THOSE APPROPRIATIONS WILL LIKELY COME BACK IN OTHER FORMS.

THE STATE IS CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO SET BUDGETS FOR ITS STATE AGENCIES AND TO PAY ITS BILLS.

BUT VOTING DOWN BUDGETS ISN'T THE ONLY WAY CONSERVATIVES IN THE HOUSE ARE VOICING THEIR OBJECTIONS TO CERTAIN POLICIES.

ON FRIDAY, THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A BILL BY REPRESENTATIVE PRISCILLA GIDDINGS THAT WOULD SPLIT THE BUDGETS FOR IDAHO'S FOUR-YEAR HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS.

GIDDINGS AND SUPPORTERS SINGLED OUT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY'S SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, AND A DESIRE TO HOLD THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABLE IN THEIR WORDS, AS THE REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL.

>> THE STATEMENT ON SOCIAL JUSTICE FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AT BSU, IT ENDS LIKE THIS.

IT -- RACISM DID NOT END WITH THE ALL ABOLISHMENT OF -- OR TREATIES WITH NOIDGES PEOPLE'S, IT WAS INFUSED INTO ALL OF OUR SYSTEMS AND INSTITUTIONS.

AS A PROGRAM, THAT IS HOUSED WITHIN ONE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, ACADEMIA, AND STUDIES ANOTHER, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR MULTIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES TO STUDENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN ANTIRACIST WORK.

AND YET AS FACULTY WHO ARE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE AND HOLD PRIVILEGE PLACES IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL GROUP ANTIRACISM EDUCATION.

THIS IS THE KIND OF SOCIAL JUSTICE INDOCTRINATION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THIS IS AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE WITH THEIR BUDGET, WITHOUT HURTING THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO OR OTHER STATE INSTITUTIONS WHO MAY NOT BE OFFENDING IDAHO VALUES TO SUCH DEGREE.

>> I THINK THE ISSUE THAT'S BEING DISCUSSED TODAY IS A BIGGER ISSUE THAN A COMBINATION OF BUDGETS.

I APPRECIATED ONE OF THE TESTIFIERS MENTIONING, DO WE HAVE AN AUDIT DEPARTMENT IN IDAHO?

YES, WE DO.

DO WE HAVE A POLICY COMMITTEE IN IDAHO?

YES, WE DO.

MAYBE THAT'S THE APPROACH WE NEED TO TAKE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT MAY BE TAUGHT OR LED WITHIN OUR UNIVERSITIES OR COLLEGES, OR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I'M TALKING -- I KNOW OF OTHER STATES, IF YOU WANT TO GHEET IDEALOLOGY ISSUES THAT ARE PRETTY FRIGHTFUL IN MY PERSONAL OPINION.

>> JOINING ME TODAY TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION ISSUES IS KEVIN RICHARD OF IDAHO EDUCATION NEWS.

KEVIN, THAT PROPOSAL FROM REPRESENTATIVE GIDDINGS DIED IN COMMITTEE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING A CLEAR TREND OF HOUSE CONSERVATIVES USING THE BUDGET COMMITTEE TO SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE UNHAPPY WITH.

>> IN NO WAY DOES THIS END THE DEBATE OVER THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

YOU STILL HAVE TO GET THAT BUDGET BUILT THROUGH BOTH HOUSES, AND WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR, THE HOUSE VOTED DOWN TWO VERSIONS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET BEFORE AGREEING ON A BUDGET.

I THINK YOU HAVE CONSERVATIVES IN THE HOUSE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SATISFIED WITH THE BUDGET THAT CAME OUT OF JFAC THIS WEDNESDAY WITH THE $400,000 CUT FOR BOISE STATE.

I THINK YOU HAVE CONSERVATIVES SAYING THEY WANT TO SEE A LOT MORE CUT OUT OF THAT BUDGET.

SO I THINK WE COULD STILL SEE AN IMPASSE OVER THIS BUDGET.

>> MEANWHILE, THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT POLICY PROPOSALS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF THE GERMANE COMMITTEES IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND WE COULD GO NUTS TRYING TO COVER ALL OF THEM IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WE HAVE LEFT IN THIS SHOW.

YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THEM FANTASTICALLY AT IDAHONEWS.ORG.

WHAT ISSUES ARE BEING OVERSHADOWED BY THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE CONTENT?

>> I THINK THE SOCIAL JUSTICE DEBATE IS, IF IT'S NOT OVERSHADOWING THE ISSUES, IT'S CERTAINLY CLOUD CAN THE DEBATE OVER ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN IDAHO EDUCATION FOR YEARS.

THAT IS EARLY READING, LITERACY IN THE EARLY GRADES, AND PREPARING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR COLLEGE OR CAREER.

LIFE BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL.

THOSE HAVE BEEN THE TWO BOOK END EDUCATION ISSUES IN THE STATE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LITERACY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S TOP EDUCATION PRIORITY, MAYBE ONE OF HIS TOP PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES PERIOD.

THAT WAS -- THAT DRNT GET DISCUSSED VERY MUCH IN THAT DEBATE OVER THE EARLY EDUCATION GRANT.

FOR GOVERNOR LITTLE, THIS IS PART AND PARCEL TO HIS GOAL OF TRYING TO GET THIRD GRADERS READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

HE WANTS TO PUT MONEY INTO EARLY EDUCATION AND HAVE COMMUNITIES COME UP WITH THEIR OWN EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND OPTIONS SO KIDS ARE GETTING UP TO SPEED AND GETTING READY TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE.

>> AS WE ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT GOVERNOR LITTLE'S PRIORITIES, THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE PRETTY UNHAPPY WITH GOVERNOR LITTLE ON SO MANY OTHER ISSUES.

DOES HIS -- DOES THE FACT HE'S BACKING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION READING AT GRADE LEVEL, DOES THAT REALLY HELP THE DEBATE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

I THINK IF YOU STRIP IT BACK DOWN TO A DEBATE ABOUT EARLY READING AND LITERACY, I THINK YOU'VE GOT MORE SUPPORT IN THAT LEGISLATURE THAN YOU SAW REFLECTED IN THAT HOUSE VOTE ON TUESDAY.

STEVE CONVENIENT THAY DISM RYAN KIRBY HAVE TEAMED UP ON A BILL THAT'S WORK CAN ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD CREATE A KINDERGARTEN JUMP START PROGRAM FOR KIDS WHO ARE HEAD NOTHING KINDERGARTEN, AND AREN'T READING AT GREAT LEVEL, IT WOULD BE A FOUR-WEEK SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM.

THIS IS STEVEN THANE AND RYAN KIRBY, THESE ARE NOT LIBERALS.

THEY'RE FAIRLY CENTER TO CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE TEAMED UP ON THIS BECAUSE THEY BOTH SEE THAT THIS IS A CHALLENGE IN THE EARLY GRADES, AND THAT EARLY INTERVENTION DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SO MUCH OF THE FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND FESTLED LEVEL, THERE ARE ALSO LOCAL FUNDING PROPOSALS THAT ARE COMING UP IN FRONT OF VOTERS NEXT WEEK.

>> ALMOST $300 MILLION OF BOND ISSUES, LEVIES, 46 OF IDAHO'S 115 SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BALLOT MEASURES.

OBVIOUSLY WAY TOO MANY TO LIST HERE.

SO GO TO IDAHONEWS.ORG, WE HAVE A LIST OF EVERY BALLOT MEASURE.

BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

AND MANY OF THESE ARE SUPPLEMENTAL LEVIES, MANY OF THEM ARE RENEWALS AND IT GOES BACK TO THE AGE-OLD DEBATE ABOUT STATES ROLE IN FUNDING EDUCATION AND WHETHER THE STATE IS DOING ENOUGH OR IS IT FORCING DISTRICTS TO GO BACK TO PATRONS EVERY YEAR OR TWO FOR NEW IS UPAL LEVIES.

>> YOU'VE BEEN DOING A FANTASTIC JOB COVERING ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

GO TO IDAHOEDNEWS.ORG FOR MORE, AND FOR MORE CONTONIGHT WITH US GO TO IDAHOPTV.ORG/IDAHOREPORTS.

>> THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL 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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