>>> WELCOME TO THE IDAHO
DEBATES.
A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES ON THE
2014 PRIMARY BALLOT.
THE IDAHO DEBATES IS A
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT OF THE
IDAHO PRESS CLUB.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF
IDAHO, AND IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE MADE
POSSIBLE BY BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY.
COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE IN
OUR COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF
IDAHO FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS.
OFFERING UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE DEGREES IN PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION, PUBLIC POLICY,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY AND
REGIONAL PLANNING, ECONOMICS,
AND MORE.
THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE ALSO
BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT.
THANK YOU.
>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE
IDAHO DEBATES AT THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION STUDIOS.
THIS IS THE EIGHTH OF NINE
PRIMARY DEBATES WE'RE HOSTING
BEFORE THE MAY 20th PRIMARY.
TONIGHT THE FOUR CANDIDATES FOR
SECRETARY OF STATE TAKE THE
STAGE TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
ADMINISTERS THE ELECTION LAWS,
COMPILES AND PUBLISHES THE
ELECTION CALENDAR, AND CERTIFIES
VOTES.
THE OFFICE ALSO ADMINISTERS THE
SUNSHINE LAW FOR CAMPAIGN
FINANCE AND LOBBYIST ACTIVITY
DISCLOSURE.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO
HANDLES TRADEMARKS, FINANCING
STATEMENTS, AND OTHER BUSINESS
DOCUMENTS AND HAS A SEAT ON THE
LAND BOARD.
I WANT TO WELCOME THE CANDIDATES
CANDIDATES.
REPRESENTATIVE LAWERENCE DENNEY
HAS SERVED A TOTAL OF 10 TERMS
IN THE IDAHO HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
HE HAS SERVED AS ASSISTANT
MAJORITY LEADER, MAJORITY LEADER
AND THREE TERMS AS SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE.
PHIL McGRANE HAS SERVED AT
CHIEF DEPUTY TO THE COUNTY
CLERK.
HAS A LAW DEGREE FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER AND WAS A
LAW CLERK FOR THE UNITED STATES
ELECTIONS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
IN WASHINGTON, DC.
SENATOR MITCH TORYANSKI WAS A
STATE SENATOR, DEPUTY ATTORNEY
GENERAL, AND A CRIMINAL
PROSECUTOR.
HE ALSO SERVED AS INSPECTOR
GENERAL IN THE IDAHO NATIONAL
GUARD.
SENATOR EVAN FRASURE SERVED IN
THE IDAHO HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES FOR TWO YEARS
AND THE IDAHO STATE SENATE FOR
10.
HE WAS COCHAIRMAN FOR THE STATE
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION IN
2011.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL
OF REPORTERS WHO WILL ASK THE
CANDIDATES QUESTIONS TONIGHT.
AARON KUNZ IS WITH IDAHO
REPORTS, EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS
IS WITH BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO
AND SCOTT LOGAN IS WITH KBOI.
I'M MELISSA DAVLIN COHOST OF
IDAHO ROTHER.
I'M MODERATING TONIGHT, AND TO
REMIND THE CANDIDATES HOW LONG
THEY'VE BEEN TALKING IS BETSY
McBRIDE, VOLUNTEER TIMEKEEPER
FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN ONE
MINUTE FOR OPENING COMMENTS AND
90 SECONDS TO CLOSE.
WE DREW STRAWS TO SEE WHO GOES
FIRST AND REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY,
HAVE YOU THAT HONOR.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA.
GOOD EVENING.
I'M LAWERENCE DENNEY, AND I'M
RUNNING FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.
I'M A FIFTH GENERATION IDAHOAN,
I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY
OF IDAHO WITH A DEGREE IN AG
ECONOMICS.
I SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE U.S.
ARMY, IN VIETNAM, AND RECEIVED A
BRONZE STAR FOR MY SERVICE
THERE.
MY WIFE DONNA AND I HAVE BEEN
MARRIED 41 YEARS.
WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, AND EIGHT
GRANDCHILDREN.
I'VE OWNED MY OWN BUSINESS,
WHERE I'VE HAD TO MEET PAYROLL,
SUPERVISE EMPLOYEES, AND DEAL
WITH REGULATIONS AND TAXES.
I'VE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN THE
PUBLIC SECTOR, HAVING SERVED FOR
NEARLY 20 YEARS IN THE IDAHO
LEGISLATURE, 14 YEARS IN
LEADERSHIP, SIX AS SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE.
MY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE AND
PASSION IS IN NATURAL RESOURCES,
KNOWLEDGE THAT I BELIEVE WILL BE
INVALUABLE IN MAKING DECISIONS
ON THE LAND BOARD.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS LAWERENCE
DENNEY, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
MR. McGRANE, YOUR OPENING
COMMENTS.
>> FIRST OF A ALLIED LIKE TO
THANK IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION,
BOISE STATE, AND THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS FOR HAVING US HERE
TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS PHIL McGRANE.
AND I'M RUNNING TO BE IDAHO'S
NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.
THERE ARE FEW TIMES WHEN WE PUT
MORE FAITH IN GOVERNMENT THAN
WHEN WE HEAD TO THE POLLS AND WE
DROP OUR BALLOT INTO THE BALLOT
BOX.
WE TRUST THAT OUR VOTES WILL
COUNT AND OUR VOICES WILL BE
HEARD.
AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE GREAT
PEOPLE WHO OVERSEE THE SYSTEM
THAT WE PUT SO MUCH FAITH IN IT.
IT'S PEOPLE LIKE SECRETARY OF
STATE BEN YSURSA WHO FOR THE
PAST 40 YEARS HAS DEDICATED HIS
LIFE TO ENSURING THE INTEGRITY
OF THIS SYSTEM.
I KNOW BEN AND I'VE LEARNED FROM
BEN.
AND I'M HONORED TO SAY BEN IS
SUPPORTING ME IN THIS RACE.
MY CAREER IN ELECTIONS BEGAN IN
2005.
I WAS RECRUITING COWORKERS,
FINDING POLLING LOCATION AND
COUNTING BALLOTS WHEN WE WERE
STILL USING THE PUNCH CARD.
I'VE GONE ON TO EARN MY LAW
DEGREE AND WORK MY WAY UP TO A
POSITION WHERE I OVERSEE ALL
ASPECTS OF ELECTIONS IN ADA
COUNTY AND DO MUCH MORE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE
QUESTIONS TONIGHT AND TO
ULTIMATELY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS PHIL
McGRANE.
THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
SENATOR, YOUR OPENING COMMENTS.
>> HELLO, I'M MITCH TORYANSKI.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS
YEAR, I'VE TRAVELED TO EVERY
CORNER OF IDAHO, TALKING WITH
PEOPLE ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT
THE SECRETARY OF STATE PROVIDES.
AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE
THEM BETTER.
CUSTOMERS OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE INCLUDE LAWYERS,
ACCOUNTANTS, CANDIDATES FOR
OFFICE, CITIZENS AND BUSINESS.
AND WHAT THEY TOLD ME IS, THEY
WANT THE OFFICE MODERNIZED.
THEY KNOW IT'S BEEN UNDER THE
SAME MANAGEMENT FOR DECADES, AND
THEY WANT SOMEBODY TO COME IN
AND GIVE IT A FRESH LOOK.
THEY WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS LESS
INTERESTED IN DEFENDING THE
PRACTICES OF THE PAST, AND MORE
INTERESTED IN MAKING THINGS WORK
BETTER FOR THE FUTURE.
AS SOMEONE IN PRIVATE BUSINESS
WHO HAS BROUGHT HIGH-TECH
PRODUCTS TO MARKET, AS SOMEONE
WHO HAS HELPED THE PRODUCTIVITY
OF THE STATE AS A MEMBER OF THE
IDAHO TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY, AS
SOMEONE WHO HAS BUILT STATE
BUDGETS AND CARRIED THEM TO
PASSAGE, I HAVE THE SKILLS TO
GET THIS DONE.
BRINGING THE OFFICE INTO THE
21st CENTURY IS WHAT I WANT TO
DO FOR YOU AS YOUR SECRETARY OF
STATE.
>> THANK YOU.
AND SENATOR FRASURE.
>> THANK YOU.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE HAS
FOUR ROLES.
WE --
WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT
ELECTIONS.
I'VE GOT 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
WORKING ELECTION LAW, ALPHA
SETS.
BEING A CANDIDATE TO HELPING GET
A LOT OF FOLKS ELECTED, TO
ACTUALLY CHALLENGE CAN VOTES,
AND DOING THE REAL GRUNT WORK AS
FAR AS ELECTIONS ARE CONCERNED.
YOU GET INTO THE LAND BOARD,
THAT'S THE BIG ONE.
LAST YEAR WE MADE 48 MILLION FOR
THE CITIZEN EXPIS WANT TO
COMPLEMENT THE MEMBERS OF THE
LAND BOARD.
I THINK CE WESTBOUND MORE A--
WE CAN BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN
THAT AREA, AND CHALLENGE TO GET
CONTROL OF MORE LAND THAT COULD
GREATLY ENHANCE THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
AND THAT LEADS ME TO THE THIRD
ROLE, WHICH IS ONE THAT WASN'T
MENTIONED IN THE INTRODUCTION,
THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ALSO
THE CIVICS INSTRUCTOR.
IF YOU GO TO THE HOME PAGE
YOU'LL SEE THAT PAGE AVAILABLE
THERE FOR YOU.
THE LAST 12 YEARS I'M A TEACHER,
I TEACH OUT OF CENTURY HIGH IN
POKPOCATELLO, IDAHO.
I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB
OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE.
THE BUSINESS OFFICE, WE'LL TALK
ABOUT THAT AS TIME GOES ON.
EVAN FRASURE, I APPRECIATE BEING
HERE TONIGHT.
>> THE FIRST QUESTION GOES TO
SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> SENATOR, AS YOU KNOW THE
SECRETARY OF STATE OVERSEES THE
ELECTION PROCESS HERE IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO.
HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU WITH
LOOKING AT THE ELECTION RESULTS
AND BEING ABLE TO SPOT PROBLEMS?
THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WILL GO
TO ALL FOUR CANDIDATES.
>> WELL, I'M VERY COMFORTABLE.
I SERVED AS COUNSEL TO THE
SECRETARY OF STATE, AND IN THAT
ROLE WHEN THERE WAS A DIFFICULT
PROBLEM, WHEN SOMETHING HAD TO
BE WORKED THROUGH THAT WAS
UNCOMMON, THE SECRETARY OF STATE
CALLED ME.
AND I HELP HIM LOOK AT THE
PROBLEM AND DETERMINE A
SOLUTION.
I ALSO HELPED ON ELECTION
RECOUNTS.
I ORDERED BALLOTS TO BE
IMPOUNDED, TRANSPORTED, SECURED.
AND THEN I OVERSAW RECOUNTS.
ADDITIONALLY WHEN THERE WAS
CONTESTS, FOR INSTANCE WHEN
FRAUD WAS ALLEGED, I BECAME
INVOLVED IN THAT TOO.
SO I --
AS COUNSEL OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN
ELECTIONS.
>> MR. McGRANE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
MY BACKGROUND IS IN ELECTIONS.
IT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.
COUNTING BALLOTS AND GOING
THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I'M INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THE
STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION
DATABASE AND THE INTRICACIES OF
THAT AND BEING ABLE TO SPOT
CHALLENGES IN ELECTIONS.
OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE IS
NOT FRAUD, IT'S JUST ERROR.
AND BEING ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE
PROCESS AND ROOT OUT THOSE
ERRORS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE
MOST INTEGRITY IN OUR SYSTEM IS
SO IMPORTANT.
SO I THINK EXPERIENCE WORKING
FROM THE GROUND UP IN ELECTIONS
REALLY HELPS PREPARE FOR ME FOR
THAT ROLE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
IN 2008, THERE WERE A LARGE
NUMBER OF SAME-DAY REGISTRANTS
NEAR ADA COUNTY THERE.
WERE OVER 40,000.
AND I THOUGHT WHEN I CAME BACK
TO BOISE THAT WE SHOULD LOOK
INTO IF --
TO SEE IF ALL OF THOSE WERE
LEGITIMATE REGISTRATIONS.
SO WE REQUESTED A LIST OF THE
SAME-DAY REGISTRANTS IN ADA
COUNTY.
THIS WAS IN JANUARY OF 2009, AND
IT TOOK UNTIL THE END OF MARCH
BEFORE I GOT THAT LIST.
FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE ELECTION.
FOR ME, THAT WAS A PROBLEM.
WHEN YOU CAN SAY THAT YOU CAN
INSTANTLY CHECK A VOTER'S
REGISTRATION AND MAKE SURE
THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, WHY
DID IT TAKE FIVE MONTHS?
AND I THINK THIS IS ONE MUCH
THOSE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING
WHAT'S RIGHT SO THE PEOPLE HAVE
THE CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION.
WE DID SUBSEQUENTLY CHECK OUT
SOME OF THOSE REGISTRATIONS, AND
THE FIRST FILE THAT POPPED UP ON
MY COMPUTER WAS A LIST CALLED A
GO-BACK LIST.
A GO-BACK LIST WAS THOSE
REGISTRATIONS THAT HAD NOT BEEN
FILLED OUT COMPLETELY, OR THEY
HAD FORGOT TO SIGN THEM OR SOME
OTHER THING, AND SO TECHNICALLY
THEY WERE NOT REGISTERED.
THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED A
BALLOT AT ALL.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO REALIZE
THAT, WE NEED TO REALIZE THE
PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE
IN THEIR ELECTIONS.
>> SENATOR FRASURE.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION, I
REALLY DO.
MY BACKGROUND GOES BACK SOME 38
YEARS IN ELECTION LAWS.
THE FIRST RACE I WAS INVOLVED
IN, UNTIL THE FINAL TWO
PRECINCTS CAME IN I WAS ALMOST
ELECTED AT THE GRAND OLD AGE OF
27.
WE QUESTIONED THOSE BALLOTS, WE
RAN ANOTHER ELECTION LATER ON I
LOST BY 23 VOTES.
LONG STORY SHORT, EVERY VOTE
DOES COUNT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO
ARE PROPERLY REGISTERED DO VOTE.
THE REALITY IS THE COUNTY CLERKS
THAT COUNT THE BALLOTS, THEY ARE
OUR EXPERTS, THE ONES THAT HAVE
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO COUNT THOSE
BALLOTS.
AS SECRETARY OF STATE WE DON'T
COUNT BALLOTS.
WE COME IN IF THERE'S A PROBLEM
AND WE'LL ENFORCE THE NATURE OF
THE ELECTIONS, AND IF I COME IN
I'LL BE DRAGGING WITH ME THE
LEGAL COUNSEL THE SECRETARY OF
STATE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED FROM THE
A.G.'S OFFICE, BUT THE REALITY
IS THE CLERKS HAVE THAT
RESPONSIBILITY.
ONCE THEY'VE BEEN CANVASSED
THOSE BALLOTS END UP, WE
OFFICIALLY CERTIFY THE
ELECTIONS, WE ONLY HAVE A
HANDFUL OF PEOPLE ON ELECTIONS
ITSELF.
IT'S THE CLERKS.
AND FOR THAT REASON I DIDN'T
ACCEPT ANY ENDORSEMENTS FROM ANY
CLERKS.
I THINK IT'S INAPPROPRIATE,
BECAUSE THEY'RE THE FOLKS, THEY
ARE THE REFEREES.
IT'S LIKE HAVING A BASKETBALL
TEAM OUT THERE AND YOU GOT THE
FIVE GUYS PLAYING, REFEREES ON
ONE SIDE, IT'S A PROBLEM.
THEY NEED TO STAY OUT OF
PARTISAN ELECTIONS, CLERKS DO.
AND I APPRECIATE THE HANDFUL
THAT WANTED TO STEP FORWARD AND
SUPPORT ME BUT I THINK IT'S
INAPPROPRIATE, BECAUSE THOSE
FOLKS ARE IN FACT THE NEUTRAL
JUDGES FOR ELECTIONS.
>> WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION,
SENATOR FRASURE.
IT WILL GO TO ALL FOUR OF YOU AS
WELL.
>> OUR CURRENT SECRETARY OF
STATE HAS CHALLENGED POLITICAL
ACTION PARTIES AND HIS
REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER ISSUES HE
THOUGHT MAY ABPROBLEM.
HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU WITH
CHALLENGING YOUR OWN PARTY?
>> I HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING THAT.
IF YOU LOOK AT MY SUNSHINE
REPORT YOU'LL NOTICE THERE'S NOT
A LOT OF SPECIAL INTEREST OR
PACs INVOLVED.
THERE'S A REASON.
LY WAS A STATE SENATOR, I
CHALLENGED THEM, I PUT IN PLACE
SOME OF THE REFORMS WE HAVE.
THE LIMITATIONS THAT YOU
ACTUALLY HAVE IN IDAHO WAS
LEGISLATION I CARRIED IN BOISE.
WHEN IT GETS INTO THE WHOLE
SHIEWRKS I'VE HELPED SPONSOR
CIVIL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS,
ONE DEALING WITH
REAPPORTIONMENT.
I HAVE NO PROBLEMS
CHALLENGING --
WHEN I ACTUALLY GOT THOSE LIMITS
IN, UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
SUPPORTED ME HEAVILY.
AND THEY CAME IN TO KILL THE
BILL BECAUSE THEY WOULD GIVE ME
LITERALLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS TO GET REELECTED.
I THINK THAT WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
>> TIME TO MOVE ON.
SENATOR TORYANSKI, YOUR
RESPONSE?
>> I'M VERY COMFORTABLE DOING MY
DUTY UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, AND
UNDER LAW.
AS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE
LEGISLATURE WAS ONE OF MY
CLIENTS.
AND I SERVED DEMOCRATS, I SERVED
REPUBLICANS, WITH THE SAME HIGH
QUALITY OF SERVICE, WITH TOTAL
FAIRNESS TO BOTH.
I THINK WHEN DUTY REQUIRES YOU
TO DO THAT, THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.
I JUST LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING
ABOUT WHAT SENATOR FRASURE SAID
ABOUT THE CLERKS.
THE CLERKS ARE THE ELECTIONS
OFFICERS OF THE COUNTY, AND
UNFORTUNATELY MR. McGRANE PUT
THEM IN A VERY BAD POSITION.
HE PERSUADED THEM TO USE THEIR
POSITION AND THEIR TITLE TO
BOLSTER HIS CAMPAIGN.
AND THE IRONIC THING S. AT THE
SAME TIME HE DID THAT, HE TOLD
EVERYBODY THAT THE CLERKS JUST
ARE LIKE UMPIRES, THEY CALL THE
BALLS AND STRIKES.
AND THEY'RE NOT TO TAKE SIDES IN
ELECTIONS.
SO HERE WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF
WHAT MR. FRASURE SAID, WHERE
PHIL SAYS ONE THING, BUT WHEN IT
BENEFITS HIM HE DOES ANOTHER.
AND THAT BOTHERS ME.
>> MR. McGRANE, YOU HAVE A
LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME RIGHT
NOW BECAUSE OF YOUR SHORT
RESPONSE.
IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT
AS WELL AS ANSWER THE QUESTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I'M HONORED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT
OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE BEN
YSURSA AND THE MAJORITY OF THE
CLERKS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS RACE, VERY
FEW PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AND
THE ROLE IT SERVES.
FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, WE'VE HAD
THE SAME TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO
HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB AND
WE'VE COME TO RELY UPON THIS
OFFICE.
SO IT'S THOSE PEOPLE WHO WORK
MOST CLOSELY WITH THE SECRETARY
OF STATE'S OFFICE BEN YSURSA
KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE
WHAT THE JOB ENTAILS.
THE CLERKS KNOW EVEN BETTER.
THEY WORK SO CLOSELY, IT'S A
PARTNERSHIP IN TERMS OF HOW THE
CLERKS AND SECRETARY OF STATE
WORK TOGETHER.
THERE ISN'T A HAMMER TO BRING
DOWN.
NO ONE HAS EVER HAD A HAMMER
BROUGHT DOWN ON THEM AS A CLERK.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THE SUPPORT
THAT I HAVE FROM THE CLERKS
BECAUSE I'VE WORKED WITH THEM.
WE WORK THROUGH TROUBLES ON
ELECTIONS, WE WORK THROUGH OTHER
ISSUES AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE
THAT SUPPORT.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT
THE STATE, PEOPLE RELY UPON
THEIR CLERKS AND TRUST THEM IN
THIS PROCESS, AND I THINK WHEN
LOOKING AT WHO'S QUALITYL
QUALIFIED FOR THIS ROLE, THOSE
GUYS HAVE A GREAT VOICE IN THIS
PROCESS.
SO I'M HONORED TO HAVE THEM.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, YOUR
RESPONSE.
>> THANK YOU.
I TOO AM VERY COMFORTABLE
WITH --
BECAUSE WE CONSTRAINED BY THE
IDAHO CODE.
THE IDAHO CODE TELLS US HOW TO
RUN THE ELECTIONS, THE IDAHO
CODE TELLS US ABOUT THE SUNSHINE
DISCLOSURES AND THE LOBBYIST
REPORTS AND THE REST.
TO BE PARTISAN IN THAT, I THINK
IS BREAKING THE LAW.
AND I THINK THAT I'M VERY
COMFORTABLE FOLLOWING THE CODE,
FOLLOWING THE LAW, AND MAKING
SURE THAT WE DO THAT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS NEXT QUESTION IS DIRECTED
AT MR. McGRANE FROM EMILY
RITTER SAUNDERS.
>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ONE
PERSON WHO IS SUPPOSED TO
PROTECT THE VOTING PROCESS IN
IDAHO.
AS YOU KNOW IDAHO'S REPUBLICAN
PARTY RECENTLY CLOSED ITS
PRIMARY, REQUIRING A DECLARATION
OF PARTY AFFILIATION.
DO YOU THINK THAT HURTS THE
VOTING PROCESS, DOES IT LIMIT
ACCESS?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEDICATED MY
CAREER TO MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR
PEOPLE TO VOTE, I WANT TO SEE AS
MANY PARTICIPATION AS POSSIBLE.
I HOPE THAT THE VIEWERS TONIGHT
WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY VOTE
NEXT TUESDAY.
AND AS A MEMBER OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY, I WOULD LIKE
TO SEE OUR PRIMARY OPEN.
I THINK HAVING MORE
PARTICIPATION, THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY IS A BIG TENT AND I AGREE
WITH RONALD REAGAN AND GOVERNOR
BAT THAT THIS IS AN OPEN LARGE
PARTY AND WE NEED MORE
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS.
AND SO AS SECRETARY OF STATE MY
ROLE WOULD BE TO ENFORCE THE
LAW.
AND AS THE WAY THE LAW STAND,
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS A RIGHT TO
CLOSE THEIR PRIMARY UNDER THE
FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION.
AND I WILL ENFORCE THE LAW THAT
WAY.
BUT AS A MEMBER OF THE PARTY, I
WILL TRY TO FIGHT TO OPEN UP THE
PROCESS TO AS MANY VOTERS AS
POSSIBLE, BECAUSE I THINK HAVING
MORE PEOPLE ENGAGED IS BETTER
FOR OUR REPUBLIC.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, SAME
QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
I TOO SUPPORT THE CLOSED
PRIMARY.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS, EVEN
THOUGH THE STATE OF IDAHO IS
RUNNING THIS, THIS IS NOT AN
ELECTION.
IT IS A NOMINATION PROCESS.
AND I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE THE
ONES TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN
CANDIDATES.
EVEN THOUGH WE --
THE ONLY THING WE REQUIRE IS
THAT THEY CERTIFY OR THAT THEY
SIGN UP TO BE A REPUBLICAN
BEFORE THEY CAN VOIGHT IN OUR
PRIME --
VOTE IN OUR PRIMARY.
>> SENATOR FRASURE.
>> KEEP IN MIND, EVEN IN THE
CLOSE PRIMARY SITUATION, RIGHT
NOW YOU STILL HAVE OVER 90% OF
IDAHOANS THAT CAN VOTE IN A
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, AND I HOPE
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO A WEEK FROM TUESDAY IF YOU'RE
AN UNAFFILIATED VOTER YOU CAN GO
IN AND ON THE SPOT CHANGE YOUR
REGISTRATION AND VOTE IN THE
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.
THAT'S THE LAW.
AND SO IT'S STILL OPEN TO 90% OF
THE PEOPLE IF THEY CHOOSE TO
VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.
BUT THAT'S WHAT THE SECRETARY OF
STATE HAS PUT IN PLACE AND I
APPLAUD THAT.
SO PEOPLE STILL CAN GET INVOLVED
IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.
PARTIES DO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHT, THEY CHOSE.
IN '08 THE DEMOCRATS CHOSE TO
NOMINATE THEIR CANDIDATE THROUGH
THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.
BARACK OBAMA DEFEATED HILLARY
CLINTON, IN THAT PROCESS, HER
NAME WAS ALSO IN THE BALLOT THAT
LATER ON, EVEN THOUGH THEY
DECIDED IN THEIR PRIMARY, AGAIN,
HILLARY CLINTON DID VERY WELL IN
THE PROCESS.
SO PARTIES HAVE A RIGHT TO DO
THAT.
IT IS THE REAL ELECTION IS
NOVEMBER, THAT'S THE GENERAL
ELECTION.
THE PARTIES CERTAINLY HAVE THAT,
AND I SUPPORT THAT.
>> SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS THE RIGHT OF
ANY POLITICAL PARTY TO DECIDE
HOW IT'S GOING TO CHOOSE ITS
NOMINEES.
AND IT'S THE DUTY OF THE
SECRETARY OF STATE TO GIVE THEIR
DECISION EFFECT.
I WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT
MR. McGRANE SAID ABOUT OPEN
PRIMARIES.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS, A TOTALLY
OPEN PRIMARY MEANS THAT EVEN
SOMEBODY AFFILIATED WITH ANOTHER
PARTY, FOR INSTANCE, A DEMOCRAT,
SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO DEFEAT
REPUBLICAN PARTY, SOMEBODY WHO
WANTS TO SEEK ITS DEMISE,
MR. McGRANE IS INVITING THEM
TO HELP THE REPUBLICANS CHOOSE
THEIR NOMINEES.
LIKE I SAID, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY
WANT TO DO IT'S UP TO THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY TO --
IT'S UP TO THE SECRETARY OF
STATE TO SUPPORT IT.
BUT I WOULD SAY THIS --
AS MR. DENNEY SAID, WE'RE
CHOOSING NOMINEES FOR THE
GENERAL ELECTION, AND
MR. McGRANE'S POSITION ON THAT
IS COMPLETELY 180 DEGREES OUT
FROM WHAT HIS OWN PARTY HAS
CHOSEN TO DO.
>> BECAUSE THAT WAS A DIRECT
ATTACK ON YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO
RESPOND TO THAT?
>> I WOULD.
IDAHO HAS A LONG HISTORY OF
BEING ABLE TO SELECT OUR PEOPLE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT IDAHO, THOSE
PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH US, 80% OF
THE TIME ARE NOT OUR ENEMIES.
IDAHO HAS CONSERVATIVE VALUES
AND AS SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN IN
IDAHO, RAISED BY IDAHOANS, WITH
IDAHO VALUES, I SUPPORT HAVING
CONSERVATIVES BE ABLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROCESS.
AS EVAN ALLUDED TO THERE ARE 60%
OF THE STATE'S POPULATION
UNAFFILIATED AND NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS ELECTION.
I THINK AS SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO
OVERSEE THE ELECTIONS PROCESS,
WE NEED TO HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE
PARTICIPATE AS POSSIBLE.
OUR REPUBLIC IS STRONGER BY
HAVING PEOPLE ENGAGED.
>> THIS NEXT QUESTION IS FOR
REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY FROM SCOTT
LOGAN.
>> GOOD EVENING CANDIDATES.
REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, AS HE'S
PREPARING TO LEAVE THE OFFICE
YOU'RE SEEKING, SECRETARY OF
STATE BEN YSURSA SAYS HE'S VERY
DISCOURAGED BY THE DECREASE IN
VOTER TURNOUT.
SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO INCREASE
VOTER TURNOUT IN OUR STATE?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE
SEVERAL THINGS WE CAN DO TO
INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT.
NUMBER ONE IS BY EDUCATING
OUROUTS.
I THINK OUR YOUTH ARE OUR
FUTURE, AND CERTAINLY WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE INFORMED
AND THAT THEY DO VOTE.
WE'RE TURNING THIS COUNTRY OVER
TO THE YOUTH, AND WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE INFORMED
MUCH THE THINGS THAT WE ARE
DOING.
AND SO THEY CAN MAKE AN INFORMED
CHOICE.
SO I THINK THE WAY WE --
THE WAY THAT WE GET A HIGHER
VOTER PARTICIPATION IS TO START
WITH THEM YOUNG, AND CONTINUE
RIGHT THROUGH.
SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE
VOTING FOR.
>> SENATOR FRASURE.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM A CIVICS TEACHER.
THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING FOR
12 YEARS.
I'M PROUD OF THAT.
I TEACH GOVERNMENT OUT AT
CENTURY HIGH.
MY KIDS, THEY GET EXCITED ABOUT
GOVERNMENT.
I DO MOCK LEGISLATURE THAT THEY
ACTUALLY USE THE REAL BILLS THE
LEGISLATURE USES, THEY COME OUT
OF IT UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF
A LAWMAKER.
BECAUSE OF IT, VERY HIGH
PARTICIPATION RATE.
AND ONE OF MY SUPPORTERS, A
STUDENT, HE IS NOW THE STUDENT
BODY PRESIDENT OF IDAHO STATE
UNIVERSITY, AND I'M PROUD TO
HAVE HIS SUPPORT, AND THEY'RE
EXCITED.
MOST OF MY KIDS ARE HEAVILY
INVOLVED IN POLITICS.
SEVERAL ARE NOW STUDENT CENTERS
AT THE COLLEGE.
WORKING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, I'VE
GOT --
I THINK WE WILL DO IN-SERVICE
TEACHER-TO-TEACHER, TEACHING
THOSE CONCEPTS TO BOLSTER --
IT ISN'T JUST ME GETTING AN 85%
TURNOUT, BUT WE ACTUALLY GO OUT
TO STATEWIDE, TEACHING THE
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL EMPHASIZE,
THAT'S SOMETHING TOTALLY UNIQUE
I BRING TO THE TABLE.
I KNOW HOW TO DO THAT, AND WE
CAN HAVE INSTEAD OF VERY LOW
PARTICIPATION WE HAVE NOW, THEY
SHOULD BE LEADING THE
PARTICIPATION RATE.
THAT IS THE FUTURE OF AMERICA.
WE NEED TO DO A LOT BETTER JOB
OF ENCOURAGING AND SO FAR THAT
HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST
25 YEARS IN THE SECRETARY OF
STATE'S OFFICE.
>> SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> I'M FOR ONLINE VOTER
REGISTRATION, THERE'S NO REASON
WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT SAFELY.
GET MORE PEOPLE REGISTERED,
THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE LIKELY
TO VOTE.
ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE A
WONDERFUL CROP OF POLL WORKERS
THAT ARE LEAVING US.
THEY'VE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS,
IN SOME CASES DECADES, AND
THEY'RE LEAVING US NOW AND I
THINK WE SHOULD GROW A NEW CROP,
SPECIFICALLY SENIORS IN HIGH
SCHOOL.
AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.
RECRUIT THEM, AND ENCOURAGE THEM
TO REGISTER, TO VOTE.
ONCE YOU TAKE THAT FIRST STEP,
THE REST IS EASIER.
AND I THINK THAT WILL BOOST
PARTICIPATION.
>> MR. McGRANE.
>> FIRST, I'LL AGREE WITH MANY
HERE THAT I THINK HAVING YOUNG
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS
IS A GREAT THING.
BUT I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH MORE
WE CAN DO, ESPECIALLY WITH
TECHNOLOGY.
MAKING IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR
PEOPLE TO VOTE AND MORE SECURE
AT THE SAME TIME ENABLES US TO
MOVE FORWARD.
AND WE'RE DOING THAT.
I THINK HAVING AN ADVOCATE IN
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE
WHO IS WILLING TO OVERSEE THE
PROCESS AND ENCOURAGE
PARTICIPATION IS A GREAT THING.
AS CHIEF DEPUTY IN ADA COUNTY
I'VE ADVANCED EFFORTS TO MAKE
VOTING EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHILE
INCREASING SECURITY.
A GREAT EXAMPLE IS RIGHT NOW IN
TWIN FALLS COUNTY AND ADA COUNTY
AND BONNEVILLE COUNTY YOU CAN GO
TO YOUR EARLY VOTING
REGISTRATION AND THEY'LL BE
PRINTING YOUR BALLOT ONLINE.
THAT SAVINGS DOLLARS, MAKES IT
EASE EXPWRER MAKES PARTICIPATION
AS WE MOVE TECHNOLOGY FORWARD,
MORE AVAILABLE.
AND AS SECRETARY OF STATE I
WOULD BE DEAD INDICATED TO
FINDING NEW AVENUES.
MITCH MENTIONED OUR INCREASING
POLL WORKERS.
WE HAVE A GREAT CADRE OF POLL
WORKERS AND THEY'RE ALWAYS
TURNING OVER.
THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF MY CAREER
WAS SPENT RECRUITING AND
TRAINING POLL WORKERS.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE
WHEN THEY RETIRE GET ENGAGED IN
THE PROCESS AND BE WILLING TO
SPEND A DAY MAKING SURE YOU HAVE
THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
I CONTINUE TO HELP SUPPORT THAT
PROCESS.
>> WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP FROM
SCOTT LOGAN.
THIS IS DIRECTED AT
MR. McGRANE.
>> TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE --
SENATOR RAND PAUL SAID THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OFFENDING
PEOPLE WITH ALL ITS VOTER
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS,
SPECIFICALLY OF PHOTO I.D.
HE SAYS THE GOP IS GOING CRAZY,
THAT'S HIS WORDS, AND HE SAYS
THE GOP'S ALIENATING PEOPLE.
DO YOU THINK THERE'S SOMETHING
TO WHAT HE'S SAYING AND DO YOU
THINK THERE'S A BALANCE THAT
MUST BE STRUCK ON VOTER
IDENTIFICATION?
WHAT IS THE BALANCE?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION,
SCOTT.
IT'S GREAT.
SENATOR RAND PAUL IS GOING TO BE
JOINING US HERE IN THE STATE OF
IDAHO THIS SUMMER, AND I AGREE
WITH HIM, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR
OPEN AND CLOSED PRIMARY, WE TALK
ABOUT OTHER PROCESSES, BEING
ABLE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN
TRUST IN THE PROCESS IS
IMPORTANT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT ISSUES LIKE
VOTER I.D., VOTER I.D. FOR
SOMEONE WHO IS IN THE ELECTIONS
PROFESSION, IS JUST A
SUPERFICIAL EFFORT IN TERMS OF
PROTECTING IT.
WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS.
OUR VOTER I.D. LAWS WORK IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO.
BUT THE REAL SECURITY IS BEHIND
THE SCENES.
IT'S IN OUR STATEWIDE VOTER
REGISTRATION DATABASE.
WHEN SOMEONE REGISTERS IN THE
STATE OF IDAHO, MOST VOTERS
DON'T REALIZE THAT WE CHECK
AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR
VEHICLES.
WE CHECK AGAINST THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
WE CHECK AGAINST VITAL
STATISTICS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS.
WE VERIFY THAT YOU ARE WHO YOU
SAY ARE YOU AND THAT YOUR RIGHTS
TO VOTE ARE INSTILLED.
IT'S THROUGH THAT SYSTEM WE
PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
A GREAT EXAMPLE IS IN MARCH, WE
ACTUALLY HAD A LEVY ELECTION
HERE IN ADA COUNTY, SOMEONE
VOTED IN MOUNTAIN HOME, DROVE TO
BOISE, REGISTERED, AND VOTED
HERE IN BOISE.
OUR SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT IT
ON THE BACK END AND WE WERE ABLE
TO TAKE THAT INFORMATION, TURN
IT OVER TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE
AND PURSUE PROSECUTION.
THAT'S WHAT KEEPS VOTER FRAUD
LOW IN THE STATE OF IDAHO AND
I'M DEDICATED TO CONTINUING THE
GOOD WORK TO PROTECT OUR STATE
AND OUR VOTING PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU.
REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> THANK YOU.
IN A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC,
THE VOTE IS THE KEY TO THE
ENTIRE THING.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT I DON'T
THINK THAT IT'S --
I DISAGREE WITH SENATOR PAUL, I
THINK --
I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO
ASK SOMEBODY TO SHOW THEIR I.D.
BEFORE THEY GET A BALLOT.
I THINK THAT JUST GIVES US ALL A
MORE OF A SENSE OF SECURITY THAT
THE ELECTIONS ARE BEING --
ARE FAIR AND HONEST AND THAT
PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE VOTING OR
ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE, AND THOSE
WHO SHOULD NOT BE VOTING ARE NOT
ALLOWED TO VOTE.
>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION
FOR YOU, REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE NEED TO
INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT AND
ACCESS WITH THAT REQUIREMENT
THAT PEOPLE SHOW THEIR I.D.?
>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S
HARD FOR SOMEONE TO SHOW THEIR
I.D.
MOST EVERYONE HAS AN I.D. AND
HERE IN IDAHO, WE GO ONE STEP
FURTHER IN THEY DON'T HAVE A
PHOTO I.D., THEY CAN ACTUALLY
SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT SAYING THAT
THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE,
AND CONS QEBTLY THEY CAN VOTE
WITHOUT A PHOTO I.D.
BUT I THINK THAT --
I DON'T THINK SHOWING A PHOTO
I.D. IS SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY
DECREASES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
WHO ARE LEGALLY VOTING.
>> REPRESENTATIVE, DOESN'T THAT
AFFIDAVIT DEFEAT THE PURPOSE
THEN OF REQUIRING A PHOTO I.D.?
IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE YOU CAN
VOTE ANYWAY, JUST, I AM WHO I
SAY I AM AND I'LL VOTE?
>> IT DOTS, BUT THE COURTS
HAVEN'T OVERTURNED THAT, AND I
HAVE OVERTURNED A STRAIGHT PHOTO
I.D.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SENATOR FRASURE.
>> I'D LOVE TO GET AN EXCHANGE.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF VOTER I.D.
I'M GOING TO --
I'M GOING TO GO A DIFFERENT
DIRECTION.
WE NEED TO TEACH PEOPLE THEIR
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
SIMPLY --
WE'VE HAD THIS WHOLE MANTRA OF,
MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE AND TO
REGISTER.
AND SOMEHOW THAT'S GOING TO
SOLVE OUR ILLS.
AND WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS BETTER
EDUCATION TO VOTERS TO
UNDERSTAND THE RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES, WHAT THEY'RE
DOING WHEN THEY CAST THAT
BALLOT.
JUST TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
FOLKS THAT TO SAY, SOMEHOW IT'S
GOING TO HELP US, PERHAPS WE
SHOULD SAY, MAKE IT A
REQUIREMENT.
THAT'S THE OTHER EXTREME.
VERY CANDIDATELY, IF THEY'RE SO
RELUCTANT TO GET REGISTERED TO
VOTE TO FORCE THEM TO SOMEHOW
VOTE IN THIS PROCESS, DOES NOT
INCREASE WHAT I THINK IS THE
PROPER OLD GOVERNMENT.
I WANT WELL EDUCATED VOTERS, AND
WE DO A LOT BETTER JOB
EXPLAINING THE REASON WHY THEY
SHOULD VOTE AND THEY WILL COME
OUT.
LOOK AT YOUR --
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE
WORLD.
IN FORMER CAMANOIST COUNTRIES,
WHEN THOSE FOLKS GET A RIGHT TO
VOTE, WHAT HAPPENED IN IRAQ,
THEY PUT THAT INK UP THERE AND
THEY'RE EXCITED BECAUSE THEY
KNOW WHAT THE VOTE DOES FOR
THEM.
I THINK THAT HURTS THE PROCESS.
>> SAME QUESTION FOR SENATOR
TORYANSKI.
>> VOTER I.D. IS VERY REASONABLE
REQUIREMENT.
THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO WANT IT.
YOU HAVE TO SHOW AN I.D. TO GET
ON AN AIRPLANE, YOU HAVE TO SHOW
AN I.D. TO PICK UP A PIECE OF
FURNITURE.
SO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO BALANCE,
THOUGH, MAKING VOTING EASIER,
AND SECURING THE VOTE.
AND WE'RE ALWAYS SEEKING WAYS TO
MAKE VOTING EASY FOR THE HONEST,
BUT WE WANT TO MAKE IT DARN NEAR
IMPOTS FOR THE DISHONEST.
>> WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION
FROM EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS AND
I'D LIKE TO YOU KEEP YOUR
ANSWERS BRIEF.
SENATOR TORYANSKI, YOU'LL BE
ANSWERING FIRST.
>> AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
WAYS TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT,
I WANT YOU TO ADDRESS VOTING BY
MAIL, AND PEOPLE CAN ALREADY
REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BY
MAIL IF THEY CHOOSE.
DO YOU THINK IT'S WORTH
EXPANDING THAT TO GET MORE
PEOPLE TO VOTE?
>> VOTING BY MAIL IS NOT
ACTUALLY AN EXPANSION.
IT'S A RESTRICTION.
BECAUSE NOW EVERYBODY IS VOTING
BY MAIL.
AND THEY HAVE TO KEEP IN CONTACT
WITH THEIR COUNTY CLERK.
AND THEN WHETHER THEIR BALLOT
GETS DELIVERED TO THEM AND
WHETHER IT GETS COUNTED IS
DEPENDENT ON THE POSTAL SERVICE.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A BALANCED
SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE
SYSTEM SO YOU CAN VOTE BY MAIL,
BUT YOU CAN ALSO GO TO THE
POLLS.
AND YOU CAN ENJOY THE ASSISTANCE
THAT YOU GET THERE, IF YOU MESS
UP A BALLOT YOU CAN GET ANOTHER
ONE.
YOU CAN GET HELP.
SO I THINK WE HAVE A VERY
BALANCED SYSTEM AND WE SHOULDN'T
GO TO ALL MAIL VOTING.
>> MR. McGRANE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I THINK IN IDAHO WE HAVE A VERY
GOOD SYSTEM.
THERE'S SOMETHING CIVIC ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE POLLS TO
VOTE IN THE VOTING BOOTH AND
DROP YOUR BALLOT INTO THE BOX.
AND THE BALANCE WE HAVE, ABOUT
75% OF THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO
VOTE ON THE POLLS ON ELECTION
DAY.
I SUPPORT THAT PROCESS.
I THINK HAVING THE ABSENTEE VOTE
PROCESS AND HAVING EARLY VOTING,
AS WE LOOK AT EXPANDING OUR
EFFORTS, IT'S EARLY VOTING I
THINK OFFERS THE BEST
ALTERNATIVES.
BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST SECURE
PROCESS BECAUSE WE'RE RIGHT INTO
THE STATE DATABASE, BUT ALSO IT
PROVIDES CONVENIENCE WHERE THE
SAME PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES CAN GO TO ONE
LOCATION AND EASILY VOTE.
AND I SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS IN
TERMS OF GETTING MORE
PARTICIPATION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> THANK YOU, AND I AM OPPOSED
TO GOING TO A VOTE BY MAIL
SYSTEM TOTALLY.
AND I AM FOR TWO REASONS.
NUMBER ONE IS SECURITY.
AND ONCE THE BALLOT IS PUT IN
THE MAIL, WE CAN NO LONGER
GUARANTEE THE SECURITY OF THE
BALLOT AS I SEE IT.
AND THE SECOND REASON, OUR
CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES US A
SECRET BALLOT.
HOW CAN WE GUARANTEE SECRECY
ONCE THAT BALLOT IS PUT IN THE
MAIL?
I THINK THE ABSENTEE SYSTEM AND
THE EARLY VOTING IS A GOOD WAY
TO GET THAT VOTER PARTICIPATION
UP.
HOWEVER, IN THOSE CASES I THINK
THAT LIABILITY OF THE SECRET
BALLOT AND THE SECURITY IS
ASSUMED BY THE VOTER RATHER THAN
BY THE STATE.
>> THANK YOU.
SENATOR FRASURE.
>> I'M GOING TO GO A TOTALLY
DIFFERENT DIRECTION ON YOU HERE.
THAT IS, YOU GIVE THEM THE RIGHT
REASON TO VOTE, THEY'LL SHOW UP.
WE'VE BEEN ON THIS TREND FOR 30
YEARS, WE'VE WATCHED THE
PARTICIPATION RATE DROP FOR 30
YEARS AS WE'VE MADE IT EASIER
AND EASIER.
LET'S SPOON FEED THEM, VOLT AT
THE GROCERY STORE.
SIGN AND VOTE HERE AT THE
GROCERY STORE.
WE KEEP GOING THAT DIRECTION,
AND I WANT INFORMED VOTERS.
I THINK IT TAKES EFFORT TO GET
OFF YOUR BACKSIDE AND GO VOTE ON
ELECTION DAY.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT AT
ALL.
WE WANT WELL EDUCATED VOTERS,
AND IF THEY HAVE THE MOTIVATION,
THEY WILL BE THERE.
THE CONCEPT THAT SOMEHOW WE CAN
INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT BY MAKING
IT EASIER AND EASIER HAS NOT
WORKED.
YOU HAVE NO PROOF OF THAT IN
IDAHO.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES
AS THEY'VE GONE DOWN IN THE LAST
30 YEARS.
SO I THINK YOU MOTIVATE THEM,
TEACH THEM PROPER PRINCIPLE AND
YOU'LL SEAT HIGHER TURNOUTS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
NEXT QUESTION IS FROM AARON KUNZ
AND IT'S DIRECTED AT
REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, YOU'VE
BEEN A HIGH-PROFILE MEMBER OF
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
EVEN SERVING AS SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSE.
DURING THAT TIME I'M SURE YOU
MADE LOTS OF FRIENDS, BUT YOU
PROBABLY MAIDEN NEWS ALONG THE
WAY.
HOW DO YOU PUT THOSE
RELATIONSHIPS AND ALL THAT
BAGGAGE ON THE SIDELINES AND ACT
AS AN IMG PARTIAL REFEREE AS
SECRETARY OF STATE?
>> YOU KNOW, AARON, I THINK THE
MEDIA HAS PAINTED ME TO BE THE
PERSON THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED
THERE.
CERTAINLY I THINK IF YOU WOULD
VISIT WITH MOST ANY OF THE
LEGISLATORS THAT I HAVE SERVED
WITH, THEY WILL PAINT A LITTLE
BIT DIFFERENT PICTURE.
I THINK I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FAIR
AND HONEST IN MY DEALINGS FOR
THE MOST PART WITH EVERYONE.
IT IS A POSITION WHERE YOU DO
MAKE ENEMIES, YOU DO MAKE
FRIENDS.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY --
THE WAY I HAVE ALWAYS OPERATED
IS TO BE FAIR AND HONEST AND I
THINK EVEN THE MINORITY PARTY
WILL TELL YOU THAT IN MY
DEALINGS WITH THEM, I WAS ALWAYS
FAIR AND HONEST WITH THEM.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS TO
SENATOR FRASURE.
>> SENATOR FRASURE, YOU HAVE
BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN MENOPAUSE OF
THE GOP PARTY FOR QUITE SOME
TIME, FIERCELY DEFENDED
REPUBLICAN POSITIONS, YOU'VE
EVEN BEEN CALLED A PARTISAN
MISCHIEF MAKER.
WHY SHOULD THE VOTERS HAVE
CONFIDENCE THAT IN YOU THAT YOU
WON'T DOT SAME AS SECRETARY OF
STATE?
>> I FIND THAT FASCINATING.
A CHEAP SHOT, CANDIDLY.
I DID SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE
12 YEARS AGO, AND I CERTAINLY
HAVE THE BATTLE SCARS TO PROVE
IT.
AND I PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE
LEGISLATOR.
IF YOU'LL CHECK THAT RECORD.
ONCE I LEFT THE LEGISLATURE, I
HAVE BEEN ASKED, I WAS ASKED BY
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO COCHAIR
THE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION.
I HELPED CREATE THAT COMMISSION,
TO BE FAIR TO BOTH SIDES.
YOU HAVE THREE DEMOCRATS, THREE
REPUBLICANS.
PERHAPS IT HASN'T WORKED AS WELL
AS WE'D LIKED BUT IT SHOWS GREAT
DEFERENCE TO THE SYSTEM TO MAKE
SURE IT IS ROUNDED AND FAIR.
I'VE BEEN ASKED TO SERVE ON THE
STATE PERSONNEL COMMISSION.
THAT'S A GUBERNATORIAL
EMPLOYMENT, HI TO BE CONFIRMED
BY THE SENATE AND I CERTAINLY
WENT THROUGH THE QUESTIONS
THERE, BECAUSE YOU WANT A FAIR
REFEREE WHEN IT COMES TO STATE
EMPLOYEES IN THEIR FINAL
OPPORTUNITY TO --
WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP A
JOB IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.
THAT SPEAKS HIGHLY OF ME.
THE --
THE LEGISLATURE CHOSE ME IN THE
SENATE TO GO OVER AND REPRESENT
THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT CALF
BUILDING WAS PROPERLY BUILT.
FOR EVERYBODY, FOR THE CITIZENS
OF IDAHO.
MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF WHEN
IT COMES THROUGH BEING VERY FAIR
AND OPEN WITH EVERYBODY.
AND SO TO SAY I'M JUST --
YES, I GOT 12 YEARS AS AN
EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR.
I GOT A LOT OF STUFF DONE.
BUT SOMEHOW THAT EXCLUDED US.
I LOOK AT PETE, HE WAS A SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE BEFORE HE WAS
APPOINTED SECRETARY OF STATE.
IT IS A PARTISAN POSITION.
AND YOU WANT TO BE AS FAIR AS
YOU, BUT IT'S NOT A NEUTRAL
POSITION.
>> ALL RIGHT, THE NEXT QUESTION
GOES TO SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> BASICALLY THE SAME QUESTION,
DO YOU THINK YOU CAN FAIRLY
OVERSEE THE JOB AS SECRETARY OF
STATE EVEN AS A REPUBLICAN?
>> SO IF I WAS A KARATE COULD
AND IF I'M A REPUBLICAN I
COULDN'T.
YES, OF COURSE I CAN.
I TALKED ABOUT BEING DEPUTY
ATTORNEY GENERAL AND
SUPERVISING --
NOT SUPERVISING, BUT PROVIDING
SERVICE FAIRLY TO LEGISLATORS NO
MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY'RE IN.
I THINK THE SECRETARY OF STATE
CAN ALSO STRIVE TO NOT CREATE
THE APPEARANCE OF PARKIALITY,
THAT IS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE
IS OUR STATE'S CHIEF ELECTIONS
OFFICER, CANNOT TAKE SIDES IN
ELECTIONS.
NOT DO ENDORSEMENTS.
IT'S NOT ONLY BEING IMPARTIAL IN
THE OFFICIAL EXECUTION OF YOUR
DUTIES, BUT YOU ALSO SHOULD
STRIVE TO NOT CREATE THE
APPEARANCE OF PARKIALITY, TO
INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN THE
SYSTEM.
AFTER ALL, SAY THE SECRETARY
ENDORSED A CANDIDATE, ANOTHER
CANDIDATE HAS A QUESTION, WANTS
TO REPORT SOMETHING.
PERHAPS ABOUT THE CANDIDATE WHO
ENDORSED, WHO'S HE GOING TO GO
TO?
HIS HONORARY COCHAIR?
IT MAKES THE WHOLE THING
UNCOMFORTABLE.
>> SO WITH THAT IN MIND, SENATOR
TORYANSKI, LET'S REFRAME THE
QUESTION.
WOULD YOU STILL BE INTERESTED IN
THE JOB AND DO YOU THINK IT
SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A
NONPARTISAN POSITION, LIKE A
JUDGESHIP?
>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
POSITION WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE
ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION AS A
PARTISAN POSITION.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT IS
IN ALL STATES, BUT THAT'S THE
WAY IT IS HERE.
AND I THINK THAT IF SOMEONE HAS
THE RIGHT VALUES, IS DUTY BOUND,
IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER WHAT
PARTY THEY'RE IN.
THEY CAN PERFORM THE DUTIES OF
THE OFFICE IN AN IMPARTIAL AND A
FAIR WAY.
AND I CERTAINLY WILL DO THAT.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT QUESTION FOR
MR. McGRANE.
>> UNLIKE THESE OTHER THREE
CANDIDATES, NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE
KNOW YOU OUTSIDE THE VALLEY, SO
WHY --
I GUESS REASSURE VOTERS RIGHT
NOW WHY SHOULD THEY TRUST YOU
WITHOUT REALLY GETTING TO KNOW
YOU TOO MUCH YET?
>> WELL, AARON, I APPRECIATE THE
QUESTION.
I'LL SAY A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ME
OUTSIDE THE TREASURE VALLEY
BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TRAVELING THE
STATE THE PAST SIX MONTHS
MEETING WITH LOFTS IDAHOANS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
I BELIEVE HERE IN ADA COUNTY, IF
YOU ASK VOTERS THEY TRUST THE
THE PROCESS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
IMPARTIALITY AND THE FAIRNESS OF
OUR SYSTEM, IT'S THROUGH BEING
OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.
ALLOWING ANYBODY WHETHER IT'S A
CANDIDATE, WHETHER IT'S A VOTER,
WHETHER IT'S MEMBERS OF THE
MEDIA TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE
PROCESS AND ENSURE THAT IT IS
FAIR.
AND WE OPEN AND WE'RE OPEN HERE
IN ADA COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE
STATE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO OBSERVE
THE PROCESS.
ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS WE'VE
ADDED FOR THIS ELECTION WITHIN
OUR COUNTY IS WE'VE ADDED
WEBCAMS.
SO VOTERS ON ELECTION NIGHT WILL
BE ABLE TO SEE THE PROCESS LIVE,
BE ABLE TO SEE THE BALLOTS BEING
TABULATED AND ENSURE THAT THE
PROCESS IS FAIR.
AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT SECRETARY OF STATE BEN
YSURSA HAS LED THE STATE N
PEOPLE TRUST HIM.
AND IT'S BECAUSE HE'S DONE AN
EXTRAORDINARY JOB.
AND YES, HE IS A MEMBER OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT HE'S BEEN
ABLE TO ENSURE A PROCESS THAT
VOTERS IN IDAHO TRUST.
AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THE
LEGACY THAT HE'S BUILT TO ENSURE
THAT TRUST CONTINUES WELL INTO
THE FUTURE.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS AND
DIRECT AT SENATOR FRASURE.
>> UNDER IDAHO'S CURRENT
SUNSHINE LAW, IT'S DIFFICULT TO
SEE HOW LOBBYIST ARE INFLUENCING
LAWMAKERS.
THAT IT'S LAW PLUS A 1990s
ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM WHICH
MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR
THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY
WRONGDOING HAPPENING.
ARE YOU CONCERNED WITH THE LEVEL
OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE IN IDAHO
AND WOULD YOU YOURSELF AS
SECRETARY OF STATE LOBBY THE
LEGISLATURE TO MAKE CHANGES IN
THAT DISCLOSURE SYSTEM?
>> AND KEEP YOUR ANSWERS BRIEF,
PLEASE.
>> I'LL GO WITH YOUR BRIEF
ANNOUNCEMENT, THAT'S OK.
I LOVE THE QUESTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ASKING
THAT QUESTION.
YES, WE NEED CHANGES, ESPECIALLY
WHEN IT COMES TO THESE SUPER
PACS.
WHAT YOU HAVE, THEY'RE
MANIPULATING THE SYSTEM QUITE
EFFECTIVELY, ALSO YOU'LL HAVE
I'LL CALL IT A MOTHER PAC.
THEY'RE THE BIG ONES.
IT HAS ALL THESE LITTLE
BREAKAWAY PACs, AND IT'S ALL
COMING FROM ONE SOURCE.
WHEN I RAN THE STATE SENATE, I
NOTICED THAT.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TEACHERS'
UNION, EVEN THOUGH I'M AN
EDUCATOR, I COME FROM A PRETTY
STRONG DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT AND
THEY DID NOT LIKE THE FACT A
REPUBLICAN SOLD IN THAT
DISTRICT.
I WATCHED THEM CREATE PAC AFTER
PAC AFTER PAC TO GET AROUND THE
THOUSAND DOLLAR LIMIT.
ALL THOSE PACs ARE FUNDED BY
ONE SOURCE, THE TEACHERS' UNION.
AND THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.
AND TO SEE IT ON THE REPORTS IS
VERY DIFFICULT.
WE NEED TO LINK IT TOGETHER SO
PEOPLE CAN SEE WHERE THAT MONEY
IS COMING FROM AND HOW IT'S
SPENT.
THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE
SUNSHINE LAW ORIGINALLY.
AND THEY'RE GETTING AROUND IT.
WE DO NEED TIME PROVE THAT
PROCESS TO MAKE IT MORE
TRANSPARENT SO PEOPLE CAN SEE
WHERE THAT MONEY COMES FROM AND
HOW IT'S SPENT.
>> HOW DO YOU PLAN ON DOING
THAT?
>> BY CHANGING THE WAY WE REPORT
IT IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
OFFICE.
I'VE BEEN USE CAN THE SAME
FORMS, IT'S IN NEED OF AN
UPDATE.
WE CAN CHANGE THE TECHNOLOGY SO
YOU CAN LINK IT TOGETHER LIKE
YOU CAN ON ANY OTHER COMPUTER SO
YOU CAN PUNCH IT TOGETHER AND
SAY WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THEIR
MONEY, LET'S LINK ALL THOSE
SOURCES TOGETHER SO YOU CAN PULL
UP A CANDIDATE AND SEE HOW DOES
HE SPEND HIS MONEY IN ONE SHEET.
WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THEIR
MONEY?
CLICK, YOU HAVE IT.
WE DON'T HAVE THAT EXTRAS RIGHT
NOW.
>> SENATOR TORYANSKI?
>> REAL TIME CONTRIBUTION
REPORTING.
THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED.
SO WITHIN 24 HOURS ONLINE, ALL
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE REPORTED.
THE END OF THE REPORT LAST
REPORTING PERIOD WAS 31
DECEMBER.
THE END OF THE LAST ONE WAS
TODAY.
SO BETWEEN THE 1st OF THE YEAR
AND TODAY, WE'VE HAD NOVICE
BUILT ON WHO'S GIVEN MONEY TO
WHO.
AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE
VOTED.
VOTERS DESERVE TO KNOW WHERE THE
MONEY IS GOING BEFORE THEY CAST
THEIR VOTE.
>> MR. McGRANE.
>> THANK YOU.
I THINK YOU AND I AGREE WE NEED
MORE OPENNESS IN THE PROCESS.
I THINK THE SUNSHINE LAW IS WHAT
WE LOOK AT, BEN YSURSA WAS THE
ONE TO ROLL OUT THE SOCIAL
SECURITY LAWS IN THIS STATE.
IT'S THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE'RE
AT A TIME OF REVOLUTION WHERE
WE'RE ADDING IN TECHNOLOGY AND
MAYBE CAN IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE
TO SEE.
I'M PROUD TO SAY I WAS ONE OF
THE FIRST CANDIDATES IN IDAHO TO
USE THE ONLINE ELECTION TRON IX
FILING SYSTEM TO REPORT MY
CAMPAIGN FINANCE CONTRIBUTION.
AND WHENS WE LOOK AT THE
REPORTING I BELIEVE IN
TRANSPARENCY.
THAT'S WHY I FILED AS EARLY AS
POSSIBLE LAST WEEK WHEN WE WERE
ALL COMING UPON FILING.
MANY OF MY OPPONENTS WAITED
UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE AND MANY
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
BUT BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO VANTS FREQUENCY
OF REPORTING, BY MAKING IT
EASIER FOR THE FILERS WHICH WILL
INCREASE COMPLIANCE AND
ULTIMATELY MAKE THE PROCESS MORE
DISPREAPT THAT'S SOMETHING
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY I WOULD TRY
TO ADVANCE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA.
I'M NOT SURE THAT WE NEED TO GO
TO AN ONLINE SYSTEM WHERE YOU
REPORT YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AS YOU
GET THEM.
MOST OF OUR TREASURERS ARE
VOLUNTEERS.
AND CERTAINLY RIGHT NOW WE HAVE
SEVEN REPORTING PERIODS DURING
THE ELECTION YEAR AND SO WITH
THOSE REPORTING PERIODS, WE MAY
WANT TO CHANGE THE TIMING OF
THOSE, BUT IF YOU SAID ANY
DEADLINE, WE'RE GOING TO BUMP UP
AGAINST THAT DEADLINE EVERY
TIME.
I DO AGREE THAT THERE NEEDS TO
BE CHANGE IN THE SUNSHINE LAW.
I SEE WAY TOO MUCH OF THIS
INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE AND
NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING, AND I
THINK THE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING
IS SOME OF WHAT IS TURNING OFF
THE VOTERS AND ACTUALLY
DEPRESSING THE VOTER TURNOUT.
SO I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE
CHANGES.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I KNOW WHAT
THOSE CHANGES ARE RIGHT NOW.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM SCOTT
LOGAN, MR. McGRANE.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ROLE
OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND
THE LAND BOARD NOW.
OF COURSE THE LAND BOARD HAS A
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO MAXIMIZE
FINANCIAL RETURNS ON PROPERTY OR
TIMBER THAT THE STATE BUYS AND
THEN SELLS TO SUPPORT IDAHO'S
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU BELIEVE
THE STATE SHOULD MOVE AWAY FROM
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND INTO
NATURAL RESOURCES AS A WAY TO
GET MOORE REVENUE.
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT, SCOTT.
I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THE
LANDLORD AND THE ROLE IN ITS
INVESTMENTS MY GRANDFATHER WAS
AN INVESTOR, AND WE LOOK AT OUR
ROLE IT IS TO MAXIMIZE THE
LONG-TERM FINANCIAL RETURN FOR
THE BENEFICIARIES.
OVER 85% OF THE MONEY THAT WE
BRING IN AS THE LAND BOARD COMES
FROM THE HARVESTING OF TIMBER.
WE HAVE NATURAL RESOURCE
PROFESSIONALS WHO STAFF THE
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LAND, AND WE
NEED TO EMPOWER THEM TO DO WHAT
THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS IN DOING.
I THINK BY FOCUSING ON NATURAL
RESOURCE AND FOCUSING ON THOSE
RESOURCES THAT WILL SUSTAIN US
WELL INTO THE LONG TERM, NOT
JUST FOR THE BEE BENEFICIARIES
TOMORROW, BUT 50 YEARS FROM NOW,
THAT'S OUR OBJECTIVE.
I THINK WE DO THAT THROUGH
STEADY INVESTMENTS THAT GO WELL
INTO THE FUTURE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CONTROVERSY,
RIGHT NOW COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
MAKES UP LESS THAN 1% OF THE
TOTAL PORTFOLIO THAT THE LAND
BOARD MANAGES.
FOCUSING ON NATURAL RESOURCES
WHERE WE HAVE PROFESSIONALS IS
WHERE WE'RE STRONG AND SOMETHING
THAT I FAVOR.
>> CAN YOU MAXIMIZE THE
INVESTMENT IN NATURAL RESOURCES
WITHOUT COMPETING WITH PRIVATE
INDUSTRY?
>> MELISSA, NO.
ANYTHING THE LAND ABORTS DOES
WILL COMPETE WITH PRIVATE
INDUSTRY.
WHETHER IT'S POTLATCH, WHO IS
ALSO HARVESTING TIMBER, WE'RE
JUST VERY SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE
LOOK AT BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.
I THINK FOCUSING ON NATURAL
RESOURCES IS OUR STRENGTH AND
THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT IT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, DID
YOU HAVE THE SAME QUESTION FOR
HIM?
>> REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY, I
UNDERSTAND THAT YOU THINK IDAHO
SHOULD NOT BE COMPETING WITH
PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
I THINK ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT
HAS TOO GREAT AN ADVANTAGE
BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT,
GOVERNMENT DOESN'T PAY ANY
PROPERTY TAX, THEY DON'T PAY ANY
SALES TAX, OR ANY INCOME TAX.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH
THE SAME REGULATIONS THAT
BUSINESS DOES.
WHAT BUSINESS OUT THERE WOULD
LIKE TO GIVE THEIR COMPETITOR
THAT KIND OF AN ADVANTAGE?
I AGREE WITH MR. McGRANE THAT
WE DO NEED TO MAXIMIZE OUR
RETURNS IN THOSE NATURAL
RESOURCE AREAS, BECAUSE OUR
FOUNDERS SAW THE STABILITY IN
THOSE NATURAL RESOURCES AND I
THINK THERE'S LESS STABILITY
WHEN WE GO TO COMMERCIAL
PROPERTY AS WELL.
>> SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> IT'S IRONIC THAT LAND BOARD
WOULD BE INVESTING IN PRIVATE
BUSINESS, BECAUSE BUSINESSES ARE
NORMALLY CONSIDERED TOO
SPECULATIVE FOR TRUST.
AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO,
THE APPROACH WE NEED TO TAKE IS,
YES, WE WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE
HIGHEST LONG-TERM RETURN, BUT WE
ALWAYS LOOK AT IT THROUGH THE
LENS OF OUR VALUES, WHICH IS WE
LIVE IN A FREE ENTERPRISE
SOCIETY, BUSINESSES SHOULD
COMPETE WITH OTHER BUSINESSES.
AND GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE THE
ONE TO PICK THE WINNERS AND
LOSERS.
>> SO HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE THAT YOU
MAXIMIZE, THE INVESTMENT WITH
THIS IDEA OF ROLE OF GOVERNMENT?
>> WELL, THAT QUESTION WOULD
ASSUME THAT INVESTING IN A
BUSINESS WOULD BE THE BEST
CHOICE.
I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT PRESENT
THAT CHOICE, IT'S REALLY A FALSE
CHOICE.
IN THE MILITARY THERE'S A
SAYING, MISSION FIRST, MEN
ALWAYS.
YOU GOTTA ACCOMPLISH THE
MISSION, BUT YOU LOOK OUT FOR
YOUR MEN AND YOU DON'T DO ONE TO
THE EXCLUSION OF THE OTHER.
I THINK THE SAME APPROACH CAN BE
TAKEN HERE.
HIGHEST MAXIMUM RETURN, IT'S THE
FIRST IS JOB ONE, BUT WE ALWAYS
WANT TO CONSIDER OUR VALUES.
AND KEEP FROM COMPETING WITH
BUSINESS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
AND NOR FRASURE.
>> THANK YOU.
AGAIN, TAKE A LOOK AT HOW
ENDOWMENT BOARDS WORK.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR INVESTMENT
BOARD IN PERCY, FOR EXAMPLE.
THEIR RATE OF RETURN IS BETTER
THAN DOUBLE THE BEST RATE OF
RETURN THAT THEY'RE GETTING OUT
OF THE LAND BOARD CURRENTLY.
WE HAVE PROPERTIES THAT ARE
TURNING LESS THAN A FRACTION OF
1%.
THE BEST RETURNS ARE 6%.
I THINK WE NEED TO REEXAMINE THE
WHOLE ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO
CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY WE
HAVE AS MEMBERS OF THE LAND
BOARD.
YES, WE DO HAVE MUCH BETTER JOB
MANAGING THE PUBLIC LANDS WE
HAVE, COULD WE DO A BETTER JOB?
I THINK WE COULD, ESPECIALLY
IF --
AND I SUPPORT --
SPEAK --
THEY MET IN FIVE WESTERN STATES
AND SAID WHRARKS WOULD HAPPEN IF
WE ONLY HAVE TWO IN THE --
LESS THAN 2.5 MILLION ACRES OF
PUBLIC LANDS IF WE CONTROL?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE HAD
10 MILLION ACRES OF LAND?
SO IT ISN'T JUST A SPECK OF
PROPERTY.
IF YOU CONSOLIDATED THAT
MANAGEMENT AND WE HAVE A TRACK
RECORD OF MANAGING LANDS A LOT
MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
THAT'S THE DIRECTION I'D LIKE TO
SEE --
IF I WOULD BECOME AGGRESSIVE IN
THAT AREA.
I HAVE 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN
NEGOTIATING ON LAND DEALS.
THAT WAS MY PROFESSION.
AND I THINK I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE
TO BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.
WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF MORE
OF THOSE PROPERTIES, WE'RE NOT
CHALLENGING SOME OF THE FEDERAL
LANDS, THAT'S AN AREA I THINK WE
HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT
COMES TO INVESTMENTS.
>> WE HAVE LESS AN MINUTE LEFT.
YOU HAVE A VERY BRIEF FOLLOW-UP?
>> SURE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT
RELYING MORE ON NATURAL
RESOURCES WHICH IN IDAHO WOULD
BE TIMBER AND MINING.
I'M REMINDED OF THE HOUSING BEST
AND HIGHWAY THAT AFFECTED THE
INVESTMENTS HERE.
WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT IF
YOU'RE GOING MORE WITH NATURAL
RESOURCE AND TIMBER?
>> I THINK --
I WOULD DISAGREE SOMEWHAT THAT
WE ACTUALLY COMPETE WITH THOSE
TIMBER COMPANIES.
I THINK WE ARE SELLING A
COMMODITY WHEN WE'RE SELLING
TIMBER.
AND WE'RE NOT OPERATING A
LOGGING COMPANY AND WE'RE NOT
OPERATING A SAWMILL.
>> I'M SORRY, I HAVE TO CUT YOU
OFF.
IT'S TIME FOR CLOSING
STATEMENTS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND YOU'RE UP FIRST,
REPRESENTATIVE DENNEY.
>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US THIS EVENING.
IT'S BEEN GREAT.
I AM LAWERENCE DENNEY RUNNING
FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.
MY ENTIRE PRODUCTIVE LIFE I'VE
BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PRIVATE
SECTOR.
I'VE OWNED MY OWN BUSINESS WHERE
YOU'VE MANAGED A BUDGET,
SUPERVISED EMPLOYEES, MET A
PAYROLL, AND DEALT WITH TAXES
AND REGULATIONS.
I'VE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN THE
PUBLIC SECTOR, HAVING SERVED IN
THE LEGISLATURE SIX YEARS AS
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHERE
AGAIN I MANAGED A BUDGET AND
SUPERVISED EMPLOYEES.
SO I HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE
IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND THE
PUBLIC SECTORS.
VERY VALUABLE EXPERIENCE THAT I
WILL BRING TO THE SECRETARY OF
STATE'S OFFICE.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT DUTIES OF
THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS HIS
VOTE ON THE LAND BOARD.
THE LAND BOARD OVERSEATS
MANAGEMENT OF 2.4 MILLION ACRES
OF ENDOWMENT LANDS.
MY PRIVATE SECTOR BACKGROUND IS
IN NATURAL RESOURCES.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION
AGRICULTURE, I'VE WORKED IN THE
TIMBER INDUSTRY, AND I'VE BEEN A
PARTNER IN A SMALL MINING
OPERATION.
SO I HAVE SOME PRACTICAL
BACKGROUND.
I'VE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN
NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE PUBLIC
SECTOR, I'VE BEEN ON THE NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMITTEE IN THE
HOUSE, AND CURRENTLY SERVE AS
THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE.
SO MY BACKGROUND AND KNOWLEDGE I
THINK OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILL
HELP ME TO ASK THE RIGHT
QUESTIONS TO HELP MANAGE THOSE
EARN DOCUMENT LANDS.
AGAIN, MY NAM IS LAWERENCE
DENNEY, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE
YOUR SUPPORT ON MAY 20th.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
MR. McGRANE.
>> I'M PHIL McGRANE AND I WANT
TO THANK IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION, BOISE STATE AND THE
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR
HAVING US HERE THIS EVENING.
IF THERE'S NOTHING YOU TAKE AWAY
FROM TONIGHT, PLEASE GO VOTE.
NO MATTER WHO YOU'RE SUPPORTING
IN THE PROCESS, NEXT TUESDAY,
PLEASE GO TO YOUR POLLING
LOCATION, AND CAST YOUR BALLOT.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE YOU CAN DO
TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS
THAN TAKING THE TIME TO VOTE.
BEFORE YOU DO, I HAVE ONE
REQUEST.
TAKE TIME TO RESEARCH AND
UNDERSTAND THE CANDIDATES.
I BELIEVE THROUGH THAT PROCESS
YOU WILL SEE THAT I HAVE THE
EDUCATION, THE EXPERIENCE, AND
THE DEDICATION TO SERVE THIS
STATE WELL.
AS A CURRENT CHIEF DEPUTY IN ADA
COUNTY I OVERSEE ALL ASPECTS OF
ELECTRICKING BUT DO MUCH MORE.
I MANAGE AN OFFICE OF 140 DEPUTY
CLERKS AND A 9.7 MILLION DOLLAR
BUDGET.
I SERVE AS THE TRUSTEE ON THE
ADA COUNTY HEALTH CARE TRUST.
AND I BELIEVE IT'S THIS
EXPERIENCE AND THE RELATIONSHIP
I'VE BELT THROUGH THIS PROCESS
THAT ENABLE ME TO BE A GREAT
SECRETARY OF STATE.
WHEN BEN YSURSA ANNOUNCED HIS
SUPPORT FOR ME, HE USED THE
WORDS OF HENRY CLAY IN
DESCRIBING GOVERNMENT --
GOVERNMENT IS A TRUST.
AND THE OFFICERS OF THE
GOVERNMENT ARE TRUSTEES.
AND BOTH THE TRUST AND THE
TRUSTEES ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE PEOPLE.
AND TONIGHT I'M ASKING FOR THE
PRIVILEGE TO SERVE YOU AS A
TRUSTEE.
SO I ASK NEXT TUESDAY ON MAY
20th, THAT YOU VOTE FOR ME.
AGAIN, I'M PHIL McGRANE, FOR
SECRETARY OF STATE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND SENATOR TORYANSKI.
>> AFTER 40 YEARS UNDER THE SAME
MANAGEMENT, THERE'S NO DOUBT
THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
OFFICE NEEDS TO MODERNIZE.
AMONG THE FOUR OF US, I'M THE
ONE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY
BACKGROUND, THE FUNDING KNOW-HOW
AND THE IMPLEMENTATION SKILLS TO
GET IT DONE.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER CANDIDATES?
I'LL TELL YOU THIS --
DON'T SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO
MR. FRASURE BECAUSE HE STILL USE
AS FLIP PHONE.
MR. DENNEY, HE'S THE DUCK
DYNASTY CANDIDATE.
HE SEEMS MORE INTERESTED IN THAT
THAN MODERNIZING THE OFFICE.
MR. McGRANE IS THE STATUS QUO.
HE'S SO JOINED AT THE HIP WITH
THE CURRENT SECTION OF STATE AND
SO INVESTED IN THE PAST HE CAN'T
SEE THE FUTURE.
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, HE'S NEVER
WORKED AT THE STATE LEVEL, HE'S
ALWAYS WORKED AT THE COUNTY
LEVEL.
WHERE HIS BOSS, THE ADA COUNTY
CLERK TELLS HIM WHAT TO DO.
YOU SEE, PHIL DOES WHAT HE'S
TOLD.
AND THAT'S WHY SOME ASSOCIATIONS
WHO WOULD LIKE TO INFLUENCE THE
LAND BOARD ARE TRYING SO HARD TO
ELECT HIM.
I'M THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND
LEADERSHIP BACKGROUND.
I'VE BUILT BUDGETS, AND GUIDED
THEM TO PASSAGE.
I'VE A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND
A HISTORY OF WORKING WITH PEOPLE
AND SUPPORTING THEM.
AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THIS
MILITARY VETERAN WILL LEAD THE
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN A
WAY THAT WILL MAKE YOU PROUD.
I'LL MODERNIZE IT, TO FULFILL
YOUR NEEDS AND MEET YOUR
EXPECTATIONS.
I'M MITCH TORYANSKI AND I ASK
FOR YOUR VOTE THIS MAY 20th.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND SENATOR FRASURE.
>> THANK YOU.
I GET TO WRAP UP ON THIS.
APPRECIATE BEING HERE TONIGHT,
THANKS FOR YOU FOLKS OUT THERE
PAYING ATTENTION TO US TONIGHT.
BACKGROUND, I'VE GOT 30 YEARS
EXPERIENCE NEGOTIATIONS.
THAT WILL PLAY IN VERY NICELY ON
THE LAND BOARD IF I'M
SUCCESSFUL.
THE CIVICS TEACHER, WE WANT MORE
PEOPLE TO VOTE?
LET'S GET A TEACHER OUT THERE
THAT'S COMMITTED AND WORKING
WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, WE CAN TURN
AROUND THE YOUTH, THEY'LL ALSO
TURN AROUND THEIR PARENTS.
WE CAN CHANGE, IF PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND WHY THEY SHOULD VOTE
THEY WILL INCREASE THE TURNOUT.
THOSE ARE TWO AREAS.
THE ONE I WANT TO FINISH WITH,
WE NEVER TOUCHED IT.
THE BIGGEST FUNCTION OF THE
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS
DEALING WITH THE BUSINESS
COMMUNITIES.
YOU NEVER ASKED A QUESTION ON
THAT.
YOU LOOK AT TOTAL EMPLOYMENT,
WHICH DIVISION EMPLOYS MORE
PEOPLE?
THE BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
THOSE ARE THE FOLKS, WHEN YOU --
THAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU SEE
WHEN YOU FILE YOUR CORPORATE
PAPERWORK.
WHAT I'D LIKE, RATHER THAN A
BUREAUCRAT, AND THERE'S
DIFFERENT VIEWS, I'D LIKE TO
HAVE A BUSINESSMAN THERE THAT'S
BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END.
AND NOT THE GUY BEHIND THE
COUNTER.
THINK ABOUT IT --
THE IRS, WHO DO YOU WANT RUNNING
THE IRS?
SOMEBODY THAT'S PAID A TON OF
TAXES AND HAS GONE OUT THERE AND
STRUGGLED TO MAKE INCOME, OR A
BUREAUCRAT THAT'S GOING TO DOT
AUDITING AGAINST YOU?
THE COMPARISONS THAT WE HAVE
HERE, THEY'RE VERY CONTRASTING.
THE OLDEST, YOUNGEST, I'M ONE OF
THE OLDER ONES, I'VE GOT THAT
EXTRA 30 YEARS ON PHIL, HE HAS
BENT ASSISTANT CLERK, BUT
EXPERIENCE COUNTS.
AND THIS POSITION, THE
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND, THE
BUSINESS BACKGROUND AND THE
TEACHING BACKGROUND IS EXACTLY
WHAT WE NEED IN THE SECRETARY OF
STATE.
AND I'M EVAN FRASURE ASKING FOR
YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL FOUR
OF YOU.
THANKS TO REPORTERS AARON KUNZ,
EMILIE RITTER SAUNDERS, AND
SCOTT LOGAN FOR YOUR GREAT
QUESTIONS.
AND THANKS TO YOU AT HOME FOR
WATCHING.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE
CANDIDATES ON OUR WEBSITE,
IDAHOPTV.ORG/ELECTIONS/2014.
AND WHILE YOU'RE THERE CHECK OUT
ANY OF THE DEBATES YOU MISSED
AND REMEMBER TOMORROW NIGHT AT
8:00 P.M. THE FOUR CANDIDATES
FOR GOVERNOR WILL TAKE THE
STAGE.
THANKS AGAIN, GOOD NIGHT.
AND SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.
Captioning Performed By
LNS Captioning
www.LNScaptioning.com
>> THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE MADE
POSSIBLE BY BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY.
COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE IN
OUR COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF
IDAHO FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS.
OFFERING UNDERGRADUATE AND
GRADUATE DEGREES IN PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION, PUBLIC POLICY,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE, COMMUNITY, AND
REGIONAL PLANNING, ECONOMICS,
AND MORE.
THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE ALSO
BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT.
THANK YOU.