A LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES ON THE
GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE A
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG THE
IDAHO PRESS CLUB, BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO'S
MCCLURE CENTER, IDAHO STATE
UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE, THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS' VOTER EDUCATION
FUND, AND IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
FUNDING FOR THEY IDAHO DEBATES
IS PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF
PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT.
>> Melissa: HELLO AND WELCOME TO
THE IDAHO DEBATES ON IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION.
TONIGHT THE CANDIDATES VYING TO
BE YOUR CONGRESSMAN FOR IDAHO'S
-- LIEUTENANT GOVERNMENT BE HERE
TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
I WANT TO WELCOME THE
CANDIDATES: DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
KRISTIN COLLUM AND REPUBLICAN
NOMINEE REPRESENTATIVE JANICE
MCGEACHIN, WHO WILL INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES IN JUST A MINUTE.
ASKING THEM QUESTIONS TONIGHT
WILL BE REPORTERS SELECTED BY
THE IDAHO PRESS CLUB: DOUG
PETCASH OF KTVB CHANNEL 7, JAMES
DAWSON OF BOISE STATE PUBLIC
RADIO, AND REBECCA BOONE OF THE
ASSOCIATED PRESS.
I'M MELISSA DAVLIN, HOST OF
"IDAHO REPORTS" HERE ON IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION.
I'M MODERATING TONIGHT'S DEBATE
AND WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE SURE
ALL THE CANDIDATES GET EQUAL
TIME AND STAY ON POINT.
TO HELP ME AND TO REMIND THE
CANDIDATES HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN
TALKING IS A VOLUNTEER
TIMEKEEPER FROM THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS, KENDAL SHABER.
WE'VE ASKED THE CANDIDATES TO
ENGAGE EACH OTHER ON THE ISSUES,
IN OTHER WORDS, LESS EMPHASIS ON
A RIGID FORMAT AND MORE FOCUS ON
AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION THAT
HELPS YOU THE VOTER CAST A MORE
INFORMED BALLOT.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN 90
SECONDS FOR OPENING COMMENTS AND
90 SECONDS FOR CLOSING.
WE FLIPPED A COIN A FEW MINUTES
AGO AND REPRESENTATIVE MCGEACHIN
WILL BEGIN WITH THEIR OPENING
REMARKS.
>> Rep. McGeachin: A FAMOUS
AUTHOR ONCE SAID THERE ARE TWO
WAYS OF GETTING HOME AND ONE OF
THEM IS TO STAY THERE.
IDAHO IS EXPERIENCING AN INFLUX
OF NEW RESIDENTS, MANY WHO ARE
FLEEING STATES WHO HAVE WANDERED
WELL KNOWN FROM THE AMERICAN
STANDARD OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
WEIR FORTUNATE ALREADY TO BE
RIGHT HERE IN IDAHO, OUR HOME,
BUILT ON TRADITIONAL VALUES AND
SOLID CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES.
I WANT TO HELP KEEP IDAHO
CONSERVATIVE.
GOOD EVENING, MELISSA,
PANELISTS, KRISTIN AND THE
FELLOW IDAHOANS ACROSS THE
STATE.
IDAHO MORE FULLY EMBRACES THE
PRINCE PETS CONTAINED WITHIN OUR
FOUNDING DOCUMENTS.
WE TAKE A MORE THOUGHTFUL AND
MEASURED APPROACH TO THE LAWS WE
PASS AND THE IMPACT THOSE LAWS
HAVE ON OUR INDIVIDUAL
LIBBERTYS.
WITH MY TEN YEARS OF LEGISLATIVE
EXPERIENCE, HELPING TO SOLVE
STATEWIDE PROBLEMS, MY FORMAL
EDUCATION IN FINANCE, MY
SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS
BACKGROUND, I WILL HELP PROVIDE
A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR ALL
IDAHOANS.
I HAVE THE WISDOM AND KNOW-HOW
TO GET THIS DONE.
MY FAMILY AND I ARE DEDICATED TO
ONE ANOTHER AND OUR GREAT STATE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ALWAYS
CALLED IDAHO HOME AND TO OUR
NEWEST IDAHOANS, WE ARE AT A
FORK IN THE ROAD.
WE EITHER HOLD FAST TO OUR IDAHO
VALUES OR BECOME LOST, TRAVELING
DOWN THE PROGRESSIVE PATH.
IDAHO IS GREAT, AND I LOVE
IDAHO.
PLEASE HELP KEEP IDAHO
CONSERVATIVE.
I'M JANICE McGEACHIN CANDIDATE
FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> Melissa: AND MS. COLLUM, YOUR
THOUGHTS.
>> Ms. Collum: GOOD EVENING.
I'M KRISTIN COLLUM, ARMY
VETERAN, TECH SECTOR LEADER,
WIFE AND MOTHER OF FOUR.
I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR AS A MODERATE AND
PRAGMATIC LEADER WHO FEELS DEEP
LOYALTY TO OUR STATE AND COUNTRY
AND SEEKS TO PULL US BACK INTO
THE MIDDLE IN THESE DIVISIVE
TIMES AND PUT PEOPLE BEFORE
PARTY.
FROM GREAT FALLS, MONTANA, I
JOINED THE ARMY OUT OF HIGH
SCHOOL AND LEFT WITH A MASTERS
DEGREE, JOINED AS ENLISTED AND
LEFT AS AN OFFICER.
I SERVED IN NATO, WORKED IN THE
PNTAGON FOR COLIN POWELL AND
LED AS AN OFFICER PLATOON
LEADER.
FOR 21 YEARS I'VE LIVED IN IDAHO
AND WORKED IN THE TECH SECTOR
ACCIDENT SUCCESSFULLY LEADING
DOZENS OF TEAMS AND
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS.
I PULL TOGETHER THE STAKEHOLDERS
ISSUE THE EXPERTS, AND THE
OPPOSING SIDES TO ALIGN ON
WINNING GOALS AND ACCOMPLISH THE
MISSION.
I SUPPORT PROP 2, MEDICAID
EXPANSION THAT HELPS WORKING
PEOPLE KEEP WORKING, AND
INCLUDES 5,000 VETERANS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.
I WANT TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE
STATE'S CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM TO
PROTECT OUR PRIVATE DATA.
IDAHO, EXTREMISTS FROM EITHER
SIDE ARE THE PROBLEM.
LET'S MEET IN THE MIDDLE.
I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> Melissa: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND THE FIRST QUESTION IS FOR
MS. COLLUM FROM DOUG PETCASH.
>> THANK YOU, MELISSA.
IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR VISION
FOR WHAT YOU SEE AS YOUR ROLE AS
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?
HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THAT
POSITION?
>> Ms. Collum: WELL, SO AS
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, IT'S
ALL ABOUT THAT PROCESS, THAT
PARLIAMENTARY RULE AND BEING
VERY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.
AS THE ACTING GOVERNOR, IT'S
STEPPING IN AND LEARNING QUICKLY
HOW TO BE THAT FILL-IN FOR
WHICHEVER GOVERNOR THE IDAHOANS
VOTE FOR.
THERE'S TWO SPECIAL THINGS I'M
LOOKING TO WORK MORE IN.
FIRST IT'S BEING THE VETERAN.
IT'S HELPING THE GOVERNOR WHO IS
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE
IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD, AND HAS
NOT YET -- HAS NEVER WORN THE
UNIFORM.
AND IT'S ALSO VETERAN PROGRAMS.
I HAVE CROSSED THE STATE AND
BEEN TO ALL 44 COUNTIES.
THERE ARE SO MANY VETERANS, SO
MANY VETERAN PROGRAMS, BUT
THEY'RE NOT REALLY MEETING
TOGETHER.
THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN
CONNECT THEM BETTER.
THE OTHER THING WOULD BE
CYBERSECURITY.
WITH MY TECHNICAL BACKGROUND,
I'M HOPING TO HELP THE STATE
INSURE THAT OUR PRIVATE DATA
STAYS PRIVATE.
>> THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE OR A
CHANCE I SHOULD SAY THAT THE
GOVERNOR COULD BE FROM A
DIFFERENT PARTY AND YOU WOULD BE
SERVING WITH A GOVERNOR AS
OPPOSITE POLITICAL PARTIES.
HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THAT
SITUATION?
WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR
IN HIS OR HER AGENDA?
AND EVEN IF THERE ARE DEEP
IDEALOGICAL DIFFERENCES?
>> Ms. Collum: FIRST AND
FOREMOST I'M A PROFESSIONAL.
I SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND WORK
HARD, AND ONCE WE'RE TOGETHER,
WE'RE TEAM IDAHO.
AND SO THAT'S THE IMPORTANT
THING, THAT WE MAY NOT AGREE ON
EVERYTHING, BUT WE'RE BOTH ON
THE SAME TEAM, AND WE'RE GOING
TO GET THE JOB DONE.
>> AND FOR REPRESENTATIVE
McGEACHIN, SAME QUESTION FOR
YOU.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE POSITION
OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND YOUR
ROLE IN IT?
>> Rep. McGeachin: THE VICE CEO
OF THE STATE OF IDAHO IS NOT A
ROLE FOR AN APPRENTICE.
THIS IS WHAT ESTABLISHES A CLEAR
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MYSELF AND
MY OPPONENT.
THE EXPERIENCE THAT I SERVED IN
THE LEGISLATURE HAVING 1 FOOT IN
THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF
GOVERNMENT AND ONE BRANCH IN THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
THE PRIORITIES THAT I WOULD HAVE
IN THAT CAPACITY, THE VOTERS
KNOW WHERE I STAND ON ANY GIVEN
ISSUE, WHETHER IT'S TAX POLICY,
SPENDING, HEALTH CARE, LIFE, THE
VOTER KNOWS I HAVE A PROVEN
RECORD THERE.
AND SO YOU CAN HELP -- YOU CAN
HELP UNDERSTAND HOW I WILL
GOVERN IN THAT CAPACITY.
IN THE CAPACITY OF EXECUTIVE
BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, I WOULD
LIKE TO -- THERE'S THREE THINGS
I'D LIKE TO DO.
I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ADVISE
AND CONSENT THE GOVERNOR ON BOTH
AGENCY AND COMMISSION
APPOINTMENTS, BECAUSE CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND ORIENTATION AND
TAKING A LOOK AT BUDGET THROUGH
ZERO BASE BUDGETS IS CRITICAL TO
MAKE SURE WE'RE SPENDING
TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS EFFICIENTLY.
SECONDLY I'D LIKE TO BE AN
ADVOCATE OF THE INL AS A
COCHAIR.
THE INL IS A NATIONAL GEM WHERE
IDAHO CAN LEAD THE NATION ON
ENERGY POLICY INCLUDING
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SMALL CELL
NUCLEAR REACTOR.
I'D LIKE TO CLOSE THE SKILLS GAP
IN IDAHO THROUGH INTERNSHIP AND
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SO OUR
KIDS CAN HAVE A HOPE FOR A
FUTURE AND GREATER OPPORTUNITIES
IN OUR STATE.
>> IF PAULETTE JORDAN WIN, WILL
YOU BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HER?
AND HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THAT
WORKING RELATIONSHIP?
>> Rep. McGeachin: I WOULD
PREFER TO SERVE WITH BRAD
LITTLE, BUT I WILL SERVE WITH
WHICHEVER PERSON THE VOTER SENDS
IT TO BE OUR NEXT GOVERNOR.
I HAVE DEMONSTRATED AN ABILITY
TO WORK WITH THOSE ACROSS THE
AISLE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES
DURING MY TEN YEARS IN THE
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE.
>> Melissa: THE NEXT QUESTION IS
FROM REBECCA BOONE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN,
VOTERS WILL DECIDE NEXT MONTH
WHETHER OR NOT TO EXPAND
MEDICAID COVERAGE TO ROUGHLY
62,000 IDAHOANS WHO DON'T
QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID BUT DON'T
MAKE ENOUGH TO AFFORD HEALTH
CARE INSURANCE.
YOU'VE BEEN OUTSPOKEN IN TO PROP
2.
YOU HAVE URGED REPUBLICANS TO
FIGHT AGAINST MEDICAID EXPANSION
IN IDAHO.
IF PROP 2 PASSES AND YOU'RE
CALLED ON TO BREAK A TIE VOTE IN
THE SENATE ON LEGISLATION THAT
WOULD MOVE THAT FORWARD, WOULD
YOUR VOTE REFLECT THE WILL OF
THE PEOPLE OR YOUR PERSONAL
PREFERENCE?
>> Rep. McGeachin: I AM OPPOSED
TO PROPOSITION TWO.
IT IS A PEOPLE ISSUE THAT MUST
BE EXPRESSED BUT IT'S AN
EXPANSION OF OBAMA CARE IN OUR
STATE THAT I HAVE ALWAYS
OPPOSED.
AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, I
MADE SURE MY COMMITTEE HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO CAREFULLY STUDY
THE LAW, UNLIKE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS WHO COBBLED THE LAW
TOGETHER AND PASSED IT.
WE WERE LIED TO ABOUT BEING ABLE
TO KEEP OUR DOCTOR AND INSURANCE
COSTS GOING DOWN.
IT IS A FUTURE FISCAL
CATASTROPHE.
THERE IS NO FUNDING MECHANISM
ATTACHED TO THE PROPOSAL, AND
THERE WILL BE BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS OF DEBT DOLLARS IN COST
OVERRUNS.
I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS
INITIATIVE WILL WORK TO TAKE
DOLLARS, PRECIOUS TAXPAYER
DOLLARS AWAY FROM ALL OTHER
RESOUR
RESOURCES SUCH AS EDUCATION AND
TRANSPORTATION.
AND WE'RE SEEING THAT IN OUR
BUDGET EVEN TODAY BEFORE THE
EXPANSION OF OBAMA CARE.
SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT
WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD USE MY
VOTE TO OVERTURN THE WILL OF THE
PEOPLE, I AM THE CANDIDATE WHO
WALKS THE WALK AND NOT TALKS THE
TALK.
I AM THE ONE WHO HONORED THE
VOTE OF THE PEOPLE ON TERM
LIMITS BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE
IN CAREER POLITICIANS.
SO AFTER SERVING MY TEN YEARS OF
TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, I TERM
LIMITED MYSELF AND WENT BACK
HOME AND STARTED A SMALL
BUSINESS.
I HONESTLY CANNOT RESPOND TO
THAT QUESTION, BECAUSE IT
WILL -- AND I'M NOT TRYING TO
EVADE THE QUESTION, BUT THE WAY
THAT THIS -- IF PROP 2 PASSES IN
IDAHO, THE WAY THAT THE
LEGISLATIVE POLICY BODY CHOOSES
TO IMPLEMENT THAT, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT THAT IS GOING TO BE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO
CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM,
AND REDUCE FUNDING IN ALL OTHER
AREAS OF OUR STATE BUDGET.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO
CHOOSE TO RAISE A TAX OR WHICH
TAX THAT MIGHT BE.
SO HONESTLY, I CANNOT ANSWER
THAT QUESTION.
IT WILL BE UP TO THE LEGISLATIVE
BODY TO DETERMINE IF IT PASSES,
HOW TO MAKE IT WORK.
>> AS A FOLLOW-UP, ARE THERE ANY
STEPS YOU'D BE WILLING TO TAKE
IF IT PASSES TO ENACT THAT
LEGISLATION?
OR HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO STOP
IT?
WOULD YOU BLOCK ANY OF THE SAY
THE FUNDING PIECES FROM GOING TO
THE SENATE FLOOR?
>> Rep. McGeachin: NO.
THAT'S NOT HOW A OPERATE.
I DO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO TRY
TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND I'VE
DEMONSTRATED THAT ABILITY IN MY
SERVICE.
WHAT I WOULD DO IS WORK WITH MY
FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONCERNED
LEGISLAT
LEGISLATO
LEGISLATORS, ABOUT THIS
INITIATIVE.
I WOULD WORK WITH THEM TO TRY TO
FIND A SOLUTION THAT WOULD WORK
BEST FOR IDAHO.
THE CONCERN WITH THE PROPOSITION
2 AND THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID,
WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF THE STATE
TO DO ANY KIND OF PRIORITIZING,
THAT'S WHERE WE PUT EVERYTHING
AT RISK.
WE COULD APPLY TO THE FEDERA
GOVERNMENT FOR A WAIVER PROGRAM
THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO
PRIORITIZE SO THAT UNDER THIS
PROPOSAL, AND MANY PEOPLE IN
IDAHO MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT A
WIDOW WITH SEVERAL KIDS WILL BE
LESS ADVANTAGED TO BENEFIT FROM
THE PROGRAM THAN A SINGLE
ABLE-BODIED ADULT.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS A STATE IS
CAREFULLY AND CAUTIOUSLY
CONSIDER THIS AS WE HAVE IN THE
PAST AND MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE
DO FOR OUR STATE SERVES OUR
PEOPLE BEST, THAT THE STATE OF
IDAHO, A SOVEREIGN STATE COMES
UP WITH A SOLUTION AND DOESN'T
HAVE TO HAVE EVERY ONE OF OUR
DECISIONS DICTATED TO US BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
>> SO JUST TO CLARIFY, ARE YOU
SAYING YOU WOULD LOOK -- IF PROP
2 PASSES YOU WOULD LOOK FOR NOT
NECESSARILY MEDICAID EXPANSION
BUT OTHER STEPS TO TAKE?
>> Rep. McGeachin: ABSOLUTELY.
THE FIRST THING I SAID, THIS IS
A PEOPLE PROBLEM, AND WE DO NEED
TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT NOT JUST
FOR THIS POPULATION.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM,
THES A
THE EXACERBATING HEALTH CARE
COSTS THAT WE ALL SUFFER FROM,
AND I HAVE SOME IDEAS IN THAT
AREA.
I HOPE WE GET TO TALK ABOUT THEM
TONIGHT.
>> MS. COLLUM, YOU'VE BEEN
CAMPAIGNING ALONGSIDE --
PROMOTING PROP TIGZOSITION TWO
THROUGHOUT YOUR CAMPAIGN.
IF YOU'RE ELECTED LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR, AND PROP 2 PASS, WHAT
ROLE WILL YOU PAY IN MEDICAID
EXPANSION?
>> Ms. Collum: ONCE IT PASSES
AND GOES INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND WELFARE TO GET RAMPED
UP AND OPENED UP.
I WOULD JUST INSURE THAT THAT
HELPS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS SOME OF
THE POINTS THAT MY OPPONENT
MADE.
CAREFUL AND CAUTIOUS APPROACHES
SHOULDN'T TAKE SIX YEARS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN SIX YEARS
AND MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE
COME ACROSS TO THE LEGISLATORS,
TO THE GOVERNOR, AND IT'S FAILED
EVERY YEAR.
PEOPLE ARE DYING.
PEOPLE ARE SICK.
PEOPLE ARE FALLING THROUGH THE
CRACKS.
AND THIS IS WRONG.
SO THE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS STATE
HAVE GOTTEN THIS ON THE BALLOT
THIS YEAR.
AND THEY ARE READY TO VOTE IT
IN.
THIS IS GOING TO BRING IN NEW
MONEY, 5,000 JOBS AT AN AVERAGE
OF $51,000.
IT'S GOING -- WHICH COMES OUT TO
$27.8 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.
IT'S BRINGING BACK OUR FEDERAL
TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR STATE
WHERE IT HASN'T BEEN COMING IN,
AND THESE ARE -- THE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE ENDORSED THIS, THE IDAHO
SHERI
SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION, THE IACE,
THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARD.
THEY'RE ALL SAYING THAT THESE
WILL HELP EVEN OUR CHILDREN,
BECAUSE WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE
HEALTHY, THEN THE CHILDREN WILL
THRIVE.
IT IS NOT TAKING AWAY MONEY LIKE
SHE'S INDICATING.
IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A NET
AND EVEN A NET PLUS IN THE END,
AND WE NEED TO APPROVE IT.
IT'S BEEN A TRAVESTY IT'S GONE
SIX YEARS.
>> YOU'VE SAID IT WOULD
ULTIMATELY SAVE THE STATE MOAN.
IF IT PASSES AND YOU'RE ASKED TO
HELP IMPLEMENT IT IN THE ROLE AS
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE STARTS WORKING TO
GET THE FUNDS, WHERE SHOULD THEY
GO TO FIND THAT CASH?
>> Ms. Collum: IT WILL BE COMING
FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, IF WE
NEED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING, IT
WOULD BE LIKE MAYBE FROM THE
TOBACCO TAX OR SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, YOU
WANTED TO RESPOND.
>> Rep. McGeachin: YES, THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
MY OPPONENT MENTIONED IT'S BEEN
SIX YEARS SINCE THE IDAHO
LEGISLATURE HAS ADDRESSED THIS
PROBLEM.
THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH.
MY FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE
HAVE MADE SEVERAL EFFORTS TO
ADDRESS THIS AND OFFER SOLUTIO SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS.
PRIOR TO TWO YEARS AGO, THEY
WERE DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT
ADMINISTRATION THAT WAS HOSTILE
TO ANY CHANKIND OF CHANGES TO THE
OBAMA CARE LAW.
SECONDLY, THE DISCUSSION THAT
WE'RE BRINGING DOLLARS BACK INTO
OUR STATE, THOSE DOLLARS ARE OUR
KIDS' DOLLARS.
THEY'RE OUR KIDS' KIDS' GRAND
KIDS' DOLLARS.
THIS IS DEBT FINANCED.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT.
THERE'S ALSO A 10% MATCH RATE
THAT THE STATE WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR.
AND THAT WILL BE -- THEY WILL
NEED TO FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR
THAT 10%.
AND THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
SO IT IS A MATTER OF CHOICES.
>> DID YOU WANT TO RESPOND
BRIEFLY, MS. COLLUM?
>> Ms. Collum: I WOULD BE
SURPRISED THAT YOU HAVE VERY
MUCH SUPPORT.
EVEN REPRESENTATIVE FRED WOOD,
CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE HEALTH AND
WELFARE COMMITTEE SPONSORS AND
SUPPORTS PROP 2.
>> AT LEAST 30 OTHER LEGISLATORS
IN THE HOUSE WHO IS FORMERLY
SIGNED A RESOLUTION IN
OPPOSITION TO THIS.
>> IF PROP 2 DOESN'T PASS, WILL
YOU CONSIDER THE MATTER SETTLE
OR WORK TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO
EXPAND MEDICAID?
>> Ms. Collum: I'D LIKE TO SEE
WHAT MADE IT NOT PASS AND SEE IF
THERE'S MORE WORK THAT WE CAN DO
THERE, ABSOLUTELY.
IT IS A GAP POPULATION THAT
NEEDS TO BE SERVED.
>> Melissa: THE NEXT QUESTION
FOR MS. COLLUM FROM JAMES
DAWSON.
>> DO YOU THINK THAT WOMEN HAVE
THE RIGHT TO SAFE AND EASILY
ACCESSIBLE ABORTIONS?
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
>> WHAT WOULD DO YOU IF A BILL
FROM THE LEGISLATURE
CRIMINALIZING OR RESTRICTING ANY
ASPECT OF ABORTION SERVICES CAME
BEFORE THE SENATE?
>> Ms. Collum: SO IDAHO IS
FIERCELY INDEPENDENT, AND THE
LAST THING WE WANT IS OUR
GOVERNMENT GETTING INTO OUR A
PERSONAL AND INTIMATE DECISION
AS THAT, AND I WOULD BE OPPOSED
TO THAT.
WE'RE TOO INDEPENDENT FOR THAT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN,
YOU'VE SAID THAT YOU ARE
ANTIABORTION, PRO LIFE, AND WITH
THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE
SUPREME COURT, THERE MAY BE A
CHANCE TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
OR AT LEAST RESTRICT ACCESS TO
ABORTION OR CERTAIN TYPES EVER
BIRTH CONTROL.
WHAT POLICIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO
IMPLEMENT IN IDAHO IF ROWE V
WADE WERE TO BE WEAKENED?
>> Rep. McGeachin: THAT'S
ANOTHER BETWEEN ME AND MY
OPPONENT.
I BELIEVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT
THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION AND THE
STATE HAS A VESTED INTEREST TO
PROTECT NOT JUST THE LIFE AND
HEALTH OF THE MOTHER BUT ALSO
THE UNBORN CHILD.
ROE V. WADE IS A LAW THAT WAS
PASSED WHICH PERMITS ABORTION ON
DEMAND.
WHAT MY OPPONENT MAYBE DOESN'T
UNDERSTAND IS THERE WAS ANOTHER
CASE THAT WENT BEFORE THE
SUPREME COURT, THE CASEY CASE,
WHICH GAVE THE STATES THE RIGHT
TO MAKE PLACE RESTRICTIONS
BECAUSE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND
THE CHANGING ATTITUDE IN OUR
COUNTRY ABOUT LIFE.
THAT AT A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME
IN THE WOMB, THE STATES DO HAVE
A VESTED INTEREST TO PROTECT THE
LIFE, THE HEALTH, AND THE SAFETY
OF THE UNBORN MOTHER AND THE
CHILD.
TO ANSWER YOUR -- FOLLOW UP ON
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT IF THIS --
IF ROE V. WADE IS OVERTURNED ON
THE SUPREME COURT, IF IT IS,
THEN IT WILL RETURN BACK TO THE
STA
STATES AS IT SHOULD, AND AT THAT
POINT OF PROCESS, THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY WOULD WORK TO
DETERMINE WHICH RULES AND
REGULATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR
OUR STATE, HAVING RECEIVED
APPROPRIATE PUBLIC INPUT AND TO
INSURE CONSTITUTIONAL STRENGTH.
>> AND MS. COLLUM, YOU WANTED TO
RESPOND.
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
SO MY OPPONENT IS ALL ABOUT LIFE
AT SOME POINTS BUT NOT ABOUT
LIFE WHEN IT'S MEDICAID
EXPANSION AND PROP 2 WHERE
PEOPLE CAN DIE AND HAVE.
SO IT'S FUNNY THAT IT COUNTS
MORE IN SOME CASES AND NOT IN
OTHERS.
IT'S JUST THAT DICHOTOMY.
BEING PRO CHOICE IS NOT SAYING
THAT ANYONE WANTS AN ABORTION.
IT'S JUST SAYING THAT IT HAS TO
BE SOMEWHERE ON THE LIST OF
OPTIONS, BUT WE DO EVERYTHING WE
CAN.
WE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON THAT WE
CAN DO GOODNESS FOR WOMEN,
GOODNESS FOR YOUNG FAMILIES.
WE CAN HELP THEM WITH PLANNING
PARENTHOOD AND HELP THEM WITH
BIRTH CONTROL AND SAFE HEALTH
CARE ACCESS.
BUT MAN, YOU KNOW, TO TAKE THAT
OFF THE LIST, AND WHEN IT'S SO
PRIVATE.
IT'S NOT ANYONE'S BUSINESS
ESPECIALLY NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
>> MS. COLLUM, I HAVE A QUESTION
FOR YOU.
OFTEN LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS END
UP ACTING GOVERNOR AND SOMETIMES
SIGN LEGISLATION.
IF YOU WERE ACTING GOVERNOR WHEN
AN ANTIABORTION PIECE OF
LEGISLATION CROSSED YOUR DESK,
WOULD YOU VETO IT EVEN IF IT WAS
AGAINST THE GOVERNOR'S WISHES?
>> Ms. Collum: A LOT OF -- NOT
KNOWING THE LEGISLATION AND ALL
EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS, BUT I
WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER IT, AND
GENERALLY, I WOULD SAY THAT IF
IT'S FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, IF
IT WON'T BE LI-TITIGIOUS, AND WE
HAVE TALKED, I MAY HAVE.
I WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER IT VERY
HEAVILY AT THAT TIME.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN,
YOU'RE AHEAD ON TIME.
I'LL GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS.
>> Rep. McGeachin: IT'S
UNFORTUNATE.
ANY PROPOSAL WORKS ITS WAY
THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
TO GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
FOR YOU TO IMPOSE YOUR WILL OVER
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS
STATE, THAT'S NOT KIND OF LEADER
THAT WE NEED.
>> YOU HAD A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
>> I DID.
FOR REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN.
SHOULD ROE V. WADE BE
OVERTURNED?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WOMEN OR
DOCTORS BE PUNISHED FOR
PROVIDING OR RECEIVING AN A
ABORTION, AND IF NOT, HOW WOULD
YOU PREVENT ABORG ON ABORTIONS
IN IDAHO IF THERE WAS NO
PUNITIVE MEASURE.
>> Rep. McGeachin: I'VE MADE MY
POSITION CRYSTAL-CLEAR IN THE
PRIMARY.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN PENALIZING
THE WOMEN.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN MAKING TWO
WOMENS OUT OF AN ISSUE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
REBECCA BOONE.
>> GOVERNOR ANDRUS CALLED PUBLIC
LANDS THE SECOND PAYCHECK.
THEY ATTRACTED SKILLED WORKERS
TO COME HERE AND STAY HERE.
WHAT DO YOU SEE PUBLIC LAND
SERVING IDAHO?
>> Ms. Collum: PUBLIC LANDS
DRIVE IDAHOANS TO IDAHO.
WE'RE OUTDOORS PEOPLE.
WE HUNT AND FISH AND HIKE AND
RAFT.
IT'S WHAT MAKES US SO SPECIAL.
SO WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC
LANDS.
WE NEED TO KEEP THEM PUBLIC AND
KEEP THEM ACCESSIBLE.
SO MANY TIMES RECENTLY IN THE
NEWS, AUTHORITHERE'S BEEN WRITE-UPS
ABOUT HOW ROADS ARE BEING
BLOCKED OFF.
THEY'RE BEING SOLD OFF OR
PRIVATE LANDS ARE BEING SOLD TO
PRIVATE ENTITIES, BILLIONAIRES
FROM TEXAS, BUT WE'RE NOT BEING
ABLE TO GET TO OUR PUBLIC LAND
BEHIND THAT.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
KEEP OUR PUBLIC LANDS, AND THEY
STAY ACCESSIBLE TO IDAHOANS.
>> SO THEN WHO MANAGES THESE
LANDS?
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
THE STATE?
PRIVATE INDUSTRY?
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM
HANDLED?
>> Ms. Collum: IT'S A
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND THE STATE.
EVEN THE LOCAL IN SOME CASES.
IT'S A COLLABORATION.
>> CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC?
>> Ms. Collum: I'VE SEEN CASES
WHERE THE BLM AND THE U.S.
FOREST SERVICE AND THE STATE CAN
WORK -- WHEN THEY'RE
COMMUNICATING AND SHARING
RESPONSIBILITY, AND THAT THEY'RE
WORKING TOGETHER, THEN IT'S ALL
WORKING.
IT'S WHEN THEY STOP TALKING TO
EACH OTHER AND STOP WORKING
TOGETHER THAT THINGS HAVE GOTTEN
BAD WITHIN THIS STATE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN,
WHAT FUNCTIONS DO YOU SEE PUBLIC
LANDS SERVING IN IDAHO?
>> Rep. McGeachin: AS AN OUTDOOR
ENTHUSIAST MYSELF AND MY FAMILY
WHERE WE ENJOY HIKING, BIKING,
SKIING, FISHING, BOATING, IT'S
CRITICAL THAT WE KEEP OUR PUBLIC
LANDS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THERE IS NO DISPUTE THERE, AND
AS A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I WILL
WORK TO PROTECT THAT.
ON THE ISSUE OF HOW WE CAN
MANAGE OUR RESOURCES, I
ABSOLUTELY WOULD ADVOCATE THAT
THE STATE BE MORE INVOLVED IN
HELPING TO MANAGE THOSE
RESOURCES.
I'M PART OF A CITIZEN ADVISORY
COMMITTEE IN THE CHALICE SALMON
FOREST THAT IS BEING
RECONSIDERED BY THE U.S. FOREST
SERVICE.
UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE HAVE SEEN
OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS IS A
CONTINUAL SHUTDOWN OF THESE
LANDS, A CONTINUAL EROSION OF
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO
LIVE IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE SEEN A REDUCTION IN
REVENUE-SHARING MONEY BECAUSE
THE HISTORIC INDUSTRIES OF SHEEP
HERDING, GRAZING, HARVESTY OF
OUR TIMBER AND MINING HAS BEEN
SHUT DOWN MORE AND MORE.
>> GRAZING HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A
FLASH POINT WHEN IT COMES TO
DISCUSSIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS.
FOR INSTANCE, THE BUNDY FAMILY,
AND THEIR VARIOUS PROTESTS
INCLUDING THE OCCUPATION OF
FEDERAL LAND NOW HERE IN OREGON.
DO YOU SUPPORT THE BUNDYS AND
THEIR ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTEST?
>> Rep. McGeachin: ABSOLUTELY I
DO.
AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T
KNOW ALL THE FACTS OF WHAT
HAPPEN
HAPPENED, THEN I WOULD JUST
SUGGEST THAT YOU DO SOME
RESEARCH, BECAUSE THERE ARE
INDIVIDUALS THAT WENT ALL
OVER -- CAME FROM ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY TO GO DEFEND THE BUNDY
FAMILY AND WAS PROVEN DURING THE
TRIALS THAT OUR VERY OWN FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO KILL
AND LAUNCH WEAPONS ON RESIDENTS
IN THAT AREA.
SO I'M PROUD THAT THERE ARE VERY
MANY PEOPLE THAT WILL GO AND
STAND UP AGAINST THIS TYRANNICAL
GOVERNMENT THAT IS TAKING OVER
MORE AND MORE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL
RESOURCES AND OUR LANDS AND
ROBBING FAMILIES FROM THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FOR
THEMSELVES.
>> I WAS ACTUALLY AT THE
WILDLIFE REFUGE AND TALKED TO A
LOT OF THE PEOPLE THERE
INCLUDING SOME MEMBERS OF THE
BUNDY FAMILY.
CERTAINLY THEIR FRUSTRATIONS
WITH GRAZING AND THE WAY LAND
WAS MANAGED IS PALPABLE.
I DIDN'T SEE A WHOLE LOT OF ARM
ARMED AT LEAST AT THE REFUGE
ITSELF, I DIDN'T SEE A WHOLE LOT
OF ARMED FEDERAL OR LOCAL AGENTS
GETTING READY TO LAUNCH ANY
WEAPONS AS A POINT TO MAKE
THERE.
THERE CERTAINLY WAS -- WE'RE IN
EASTERN OREGON.
WE'RE IN IDAHO.
A LOT OF PEOPLE OWN WEAPONS.
>> Rep. McGeachin: THERE HAVE
BEEN SOME OTHER CASE WHERE IS
THAT HAS OCCURRED, AND JUST ALSO
FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, THAT THE
BUNDYS HAVE BEEN GIVEN -- THEIR
CHARGES AGAINST THEM HAVE BEEN
TAKEN AWAY BY OUR CURRENT
PRESIDENT.
>> ONE OF THE -- SPEAKING OF
GRAZING, HISTORICALLY GRAZING
RATES HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY
BRE
BELOW MARKET VALUE.
WOULD YOU FAVOR RAISING GRAZING
FEES TO MARKET VALUE AND MONEY
GOING TO EDUCATION?
>> Rep. McGeachin: TYPICALLY THE
WAY THAT WORKS IS THESE
LANDOWNERS HAVE A RIGHT -- IT'S
A PROPERTY RIGHT THAT IS
DEFINED.
IT'S A CONTRACT THEY HAVE WITH
THE GOVERNMENT.
AND SO FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO
PULL AWAY FROM THEIR CONTRACT
WITH THE LANDOWNER, I DON'T
THINK THAT'S FAIR.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM DOUG
PETCASH FOR MS. COLLUM.
>> MS. COLLUM, THE ECONOMY SEEMS
TO BE DOING PRETTY WELL.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN IDAHO
IS UNDER 3%, A RATE WE HAVEN'T
SEEN IN MORE THAN A DECADE.
GROWTH IS THROUGH THE ROOF.
18,000 PEOPLE A YEAR MOVING TO
THE TREASURE VALLEY ALONE, NOT
TO MENTION THE REST OF THE STATE
OF IDAHO.
CONSIDERING THOSE FACTORS WITH
THE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, THE
RAPID GROWTH WE'RE SEEING, WHAT
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY DO YOU
FEEL NEEDS TO BE ZEROED IN ON
FOR JOB CREATION OR BETTER JOB
CREATION OF HIGHER-PAYING JOBS I
SHOULD SAY?
>> Ms. Collum: COMING FROM THE
TECH SECTOR, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY
THAT IT NEEDS TO BE THE TEKT --
TECH SECTOR.
THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITY
THERE IS AND SO MANY WE HAVEN'T
TAPPED INTO YET.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, FIRST OF
ALL, TO GET A BETTER
INFRASTRUCTURE CREATED WITHIN
OUR STATE.
WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY REACTIVE TO
THE GROWTH AND NOT BUILDING UP
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WHETHER IT'S
EDUCATION, ROADS OR BRIDGES OR
EVEN BROADBAND INTERNET.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO
DRAW IN THESE TECH COMPANIES IS
TO HAVE THROUGHOUT OUR STATE
HAVE BROADBAND AT A RELIABLE
SPEED THAT'S SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH
THAT THEY'LL COME.
SO I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE IN THAT
AREA.
>> A LARGE PORTION OF IDAHO'S
ECONOMY IS ALSO TOURISM.
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
>> WE'VE SEEN STRUGGLES AND MANY
OF OUR WONDERFUL TOWNS AND
CITIES ACROSS THE STATE WITH
KEEPING -- GETTING WORKERS
BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY
THEM ENOUGH OR UNAFFORDABLE
HOUSING.
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE STATES
THAT IDAHO LEADS THE NATION IN
THE PERCENTAGE OF MINIMUM-WAGE
JOBS.
HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO INCREASE
THE MINIMUM WAGE IF THAT'S WHAT
YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE DONE?
CAN YOU CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE
TO DO THAT?
>> Ms. Collum: SO MINIMUM WAGE
HASN'T BEEN RAISED IN TEN YEARS,
AND YET THE COST OF LIVING
CONTINUES TO RISE.
AND SO WHAT IT'S ENTITLING
CORPORATIONS TO DO IS ACTUALLY
PAY WORKERS SO LITTLE THAT THEY
HAVE TO BE ON GOVERNMENT
SUBSIDIES.
THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY ALLOWING
CORPORATE WELFARE.
AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT.
SO WE HAVE GOT TO RAISE THE
MINIMUM WAGE TO A LIVING WAGE,
AND IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT
IS GRADUAL AND CONSIDERED MAYBE
EVEN JUST A LOCAL OPTION WHERE
THE HIGHER COST OF LIVING AREAS
CAN RAISE IT MORE, BUT THE RURAL
AREAS CAN KEEP AT THIS TIME
SAME.
IT DOES NEED TO INCREASE, AND IT
DOES NEED TO BE A LIVING WAGE.
>> YOU DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE
A STATE-WIDE MANDATE BUT AS YOU
MENTIONED MORE OF A --
>> Ms. Collum: IT COULD EVEN BE
A MIX OF BOTH.
I'M NOT GOING TO EXCLUDE
ANYTHING.
7.25 AN HOUR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
>> ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS ABOUT
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE IS ITS
IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES WHO
MAYBE DON'T HAVE LARGE WORK
FORCES AND THEY'RE THE LIFEBLOOD
AS WE HEAR OFTEN FOR THE ECONOMY
IN OUR STATE AND MANY OTHERS.
HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO LESSEN
THAT IMPACT ON BUSINESS WHO IS
MAYBE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THAT
MUCH?
>> Ms. Collum: YEAH.
SO THAT'S ALL A MATTER OF
COMMUNICATION AND WORKING OUT
FAR ENOUGH IN ADVANCE SO THEY'RE
AWARE OF THAT AND CAN PLAN.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS.
IT LIFTS ALL BOATS WHEN THE
MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP.
IT HELPS EVERYONE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
AND THEY CAN TAKE THAT TOO.
>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
TYPICALLY WORKS TO PROMOTE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IDAHO,
TRADE MISSIONS, THINGS LIKE
THAT, CONFERENCES.
DO YOU FEEL THAT THAT IS AN
IMPORTANT ROLE OF A LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR, AND WOULD YOU FOCUS ON
TOSE TYPES OF EFFORTS TO
ATTRACT BUSINESS, TO CREATE
JOBS?
>> Ms. Collum: OH, ABSOLUTELY.
AND I THINK WITH MY 21 YEARS IN
THE TECH SECTOR, I WOULD BE SUCH
A BOONE -- BOON TO THAT.
IF IT'S TECHNICAL JOBS AND
TECHNICAL COMPANIES, I'M GOING
TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK THAT
LANGUAGE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT
THEY'RE SAYING AND FIND THAT
SWEET SPOT WHERE WE CAN BRING
THEM IN TO IDAHO.
>> THANK YOU.
REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, AS I
MENTIONED THE UN.
.
RATE BEING SO LOW, WHAT DO YOU
THINK IS THE SECTOR OF THE
ECONOMY THAT SHOULD BE ZEROED IN
ON, FOCUSED CREATE JOBS AND KEEP
THE WHEELS TURNING?
>> Rep. McGeachin: ANOTHER AREA
OF CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN
MYSELF AND MY OPPONENT, AND THAT
IS -- IT'S UNNERVING TO THINK
THAT POLICY MAKERS OF OUR STATE
ARE LOOKING AT SAMPLE DATA THAT
DOES NOT APPLY STATEWIDE AND
THAT HAS NO REAL EXPERIENCE KNOW
KNOWING WHAT TRUE WAGES ARE.
EVEN THOUGH 7.25 IS THE MINIMUM
FEDERAL WAGE, WITH THE ECONOMY
THAT WE HAVE IN IDAHO, LESS THAN
3% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
IF YOU WERE A SMALL BUSINESS
OWNER, IF YOU WERE A JOB CRET
CREATOR, YOU WOULD KNOW IN THIS
ECONOMY, YOU CAN'T HIRE SOMEONE
FOR LESS THAN $TEN PER HOUR.
WHEN YOU DO REMOVE THAT 7.25 PER
HOUR, THE POPULATION THAT THAT
HURTS MOST IS OUR HIGH SCHOOL
KIDS WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO GET
ENTRY-LEVEL JOB AND TRY TO EARN
A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO ROLE IN
DETERMINING WAGES.
THE AREAS WE COULD WORK TO
IMPROVE OUR ECONOMY HAS ALL TO
DO WITH PRODUCTION AND OUTPUT.
WHAT WE DO IN IDAHO TO TURN --
TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING
IN SUFFERING, IN THE WAY THAT WE
UTILIZE OUR RESOURCES, BECAUSE
THAT IS HOW WE BECOME WEALTHY IN
OUR STATE IS TAKING SOMETHING
OUT OF NOTHING.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF AREAS THAT
WE CAN APPLY THAT TO, BUT HOW TO
GET THERE, AS I MENTIONED
EARLIER, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TO CLOSE
THAT SKILLS GAP, TO MAKE SURE
THAT OUR KIDS ARE EARNING THE
SKILLS THEY NEED FOR THOSE JOBS.
>> MS. COLLUM, YOU WANTED TO
RESPOND.
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
IF WE COULD RELY ON
CORPORATIONS, SMALL BUSINESSES,
TO PAY PEOPLE WHAT THEY WERE
WORTH, WE WOULD BE WAITING A
LONG TIME.
WE, AS A STATE, ARE LAST -- WE
HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF
LOW-WAGE EARNERS.
42% ARE EARNING MINIMUM WAGE,
AND THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT
WORKING, EVEN WITH SUPPLY AND
DEMAND.
SOMETHING'S BROKEN THERE IF THAT
MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO
SURVIVE.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
JAMES DAWSON.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, IN
HIS ASSENT FOR LEGALIZING
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, CHIEF JUSTICE
ROBERTS CATEGORIZED THE DECISION
AS ONLY ABOUT THE RIGHT TO
MARRIAGE, NOT THE OTHER LEGAL
BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
UNION.
SO NOW THAT THE COURT HAS SWUNG
A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO THE
RIGHT, AND ALREADY EXPRESSED AN
INTEREST IN NARROWING THE
EFFECTS OF GAY MARRIAGE
DECISION, WOULD YOU BE IN FAVOR
OF LEGISLATION TO RESTRICT THE
OF MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES?
>> Rep. McGeachin: IT'S PUBLIC
RECORD THATSA A STATE
REPRESENTATIVE, I DID VOTE TO
SUPPORT THE DEFINITION OF
MARRIAGE AS BETWEEN A MAN AND A
WOMAN.
THAT'S HOW I WAS RAISED TO
BELIEVE.
THAT'S WHO I AM.
AND BECAUSE IT WAS A
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IT HAD
TO GO BEFORE THE VOTERS OF IDAHO
WHO OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED
THAT VOTE BY A MEASURE OF OVER
60% APPROVAL.
>> DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU WOULD
SUPPORT ROLLING BACK THE ABILITY
OF A SPOUSE TO VISIT HIS OR HER
PARTNER IN THE HOSPITAL OR
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
>> Rep. McGeachin: ABSOLUTELY
NOT.
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
AND THERE'S NO REASON -- THERE
ARE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE
TODAY, THE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE,
THE HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE,
DRAWING UP CLEARLY DEFINED
WILLS.
THOSE ARE TOOLS THAT ARE ALREADY
AVAILABLE TO IDAHOANS SO THEY
CAN PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS IN
THOSE AREAS.
>> MS. COLLUM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO
RESPOND?
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
IT'S SO KIND OF YOU TO ALLOW
THAT POSSIBILITY THAT THEY COULD
SEE THEIR LOVED ONES IN THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THAT DENIES THEM
THEIR RIGHT TO LOVE WHO THEY
LOVE AND TO -- IT'S -- WOW!
>> YOU HAD A QUESTION FOR MOS.
COLLUM.
>> HOW WOULD YOU TREAT
LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO ROLL
BACK THE RIGHTS OF SAME-SEX
MARRIED COUPLES IF YOU ARE VOTED
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?
>> Ms. Collum: SO TECHNICALLY, I
AM THERE AS A COLLABORATOR, AS
AN OVERSEEING PARLIAMENTARY
RULE.
I DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S MY PLACE
TO GET TOO INVOLVED IN THAT.
I WOULD STAY TO MY JOB.
>> Melissa: IS THAT ONE YOU
WOULD CONSIDER A VETO IF YOU
WERE ACTING GOVERNOR?
>> Ms. Collum: THAT'S SUCH A FAR
CASE.
I WOULD ALWAYS RESPECT THE VOTE
OF -- THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
>> Melissa: ALL RIGHT.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
REBECCA.
>> ALL RIGHT.
MS. COLLUM, YOU'VE SAID YOU'RE
PRO GUN OWNERSHIP AND WOULDN'T
TAKE ANYONE'S GUNS AWAY.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY DOES THAT
MEAN?
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON
FIREARMS YOU SUPPORT LIKE
RAISING THE AGE TO BUY CERTAIN
GUNS TO 21 OR UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS?
>> Ms. Collum: I BELIEVE --
COMING FROM MY MILITARY
BACKGROUND, IN THE MILITARY, WE
NEVER JUST HANDED GUNS OUT.
PEOPLE HAD TO BE TRAINED.
WE DIDN'T HAVE AMMUNITION
AVAILABLE.
WE SIGNED THAT OUT.
WE KEPT TRACK OF IT.
THERE'S SAFETY AND
RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I LIKE TO SEE THOSE TWO
COMPONENTS IN ANY KIND OF GUN
OWNERSHIP AND USE.
IF THERE'S A LACK OF THAT IN
SOME CASE, I MIGHT BE MORE
FAVORABLE TO LETTING A GUN LAW
PASS, BUT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T SEE
A PROBLEM IN IDAHO FOR MOST GUN
OWNERS.
THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE.
THEY'RE HUNTERS, AND THEY'RE NOT
TRYING TO GO OUT OF MY WAY TO
TAKE AWAY THEIR GUNS.
>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
CONCERNS IN THE PUBLIC EYE
RECENTLY WITH SCHOOL SHOOTINGS,
PA
MASS SHOOTING AT WORKPLACE.
ARE THERE ANY TWEAKS THAT NEED
TO BE MADE TO PREVENT INCIDENTS
LIKE THAT HAPPENING IN IDAHO?
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE
RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS WILL
REMAIN RESPONSIBLE AND NOT GET
IN THE WRONG HANDS.
>> Ms. Collum: ARE YOU TALKING
SCHOOL SHOOTING SPECIFICALLY?
>> GUN VIOLENCE IN GENERAL.
>> Ms. Collum: WE ALL NEED TO
BE -- YEAH, I THINK WE'RE ALL --
SO FAR, MAYBE WE'RE LUCKY, BUT I
THINK WE'RE DOING WELL, AND I'M
NOT LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN ANY
GUN LAWS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, ON
YOUR WEBSITE, YOU SAID YOU FIGHT
ANY AND EVERY ENCROACHMENT ON
THE SECOND AMENDMENT.
WITH GUN SILENCE -- VIOLENCE IN
THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE
ANY TWEAKS THAT NEED TO BE TO
PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS IN IDAHO
OR ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT ALL
GUN OWNERSHIP SHULZ -- ALWAYS
BE LEGAL.
>> Rep. McGeachin: THAT'S WHAT
OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT SAYS
THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BEAR
ARMS NOR SHALL ANY LAW PERMIT
THE CONFISCATION OF FIREARMS
EXCEPT FOR THOSE USED IN THE
COMMISSION OF A FELONY.
I SUPPORT OUR CONSTITUTION.
AND I WILL ADVOCATE AND STRONGLY
PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO KEEP AND
BEAR ARMS IN OUR STATE.
>> Melissa: THE NEXT QUESTION IS
FROM DOUG PETCASH.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN,
WE'LL START WITH YOU ON THIS
ONE.
THE TEACHER CAREER PAY LADDER
RAISE PROGRAM HAS ONE MORE YEAR
TO GO.
IDAHO STILL FACES A TEACHER
SHORTAGE AND CHALLENGES WITH
RECRUITING AND RETAINING GOOD
TEACHERS.
THE WAGES HAVE GONE UP
SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE LAST FOUR
YEARS.
WILL YOU PUSH TO CONTINUE THE
CAREER LADDER PROGRAM OR
SOMETHING SIMILAR?
>> Rep. McGeachin: ABSOLUTELY.
I TOTALLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS
THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO BRING
TEACHERS' PAY BACK UP, AND I
WISH TO THANK THE TAXPAYERS OF
IDAHO WHO HAVE, SINCE OUR DEEP
RECESSION IN 2008 WHEN MANY
IDAHO FAMILIES LOST JOBS AND WE
HAD A 20% REDUCTION IN TAX
REVENUES INTO OUR STATE, SINCE
THAT TIME, THE TAXPAYERS OF
IDAHO HAVE GIVEN ALMOST -- MORE
THAN HALF A BILLION DOLLARS BACK
INTO OUR SCHOOLS, AND SO FOR
THAT, I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE
SUPPORT OF THE IDAHO TAXPAYERS
FOR OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN
IDAHO, AND THAT IS PROPERLY
EDUCATING OUR KIDS AND PREPARING
THEM FOR THEIR FUTURE.
>> THAT BEING SAID, THERE WAS A
$100 MILLION TAX CUT LAST YEAR.
IS THERE A CONCERN THERE WILL
STILL BE MONEY TO CONTINUE TO
RAISE TEACHER PAY AND TO FUND
AND CONTINUE BUMPING UP K-12
FUNDING?
>> Rep. McGeachin: I BELIEVE
WE'RE ON AN ECONOMIC BOON.
LESS THAN 3% UNEMPLOYMENT.
AS LONG AS WE REMAIN PRUDENT AND
DILIGENT WITH OUR SPENDING,
UNDER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP, WE
HAVE BUILT -- YOUR TAXPAYER
DOLLARS HAVE BEEN BUILT BACK UP
TO HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN
VARIOUS SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
WE'RE VERY WELL PREPARED FOR
GOING INTO THE FUTURE,
CONTINUING OUR COMMITMENT OF
EDUCATION, PROTECTING THE
TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS.
THANK YOU.
>> AND YOU WANTED TO RESPOND MS.
COLLUM.
>> Ms. Collum: OUR IDAHO
CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT WE
PROVIDEEDUCATION UNIFORMLY AND
THOROUGHLY, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE
NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE WE'RE
FORCING THESE RURAL COUNTIES TO
COME UP WITH THEIR OWN BONDS AND
LEVIES, AND THEY'RE SUFFERING.
THEY HAVE FAILED TO PASS YEAR
AFTER YEAR, AND THE WEALTHIER
COUNTIES PASS THEM AND ARE
SUPPLEMENTING.
IT'S NO LONGER EVEN.
IT'S NO LONGER UNIFORM, AND IT'S
NOT PROVIDING THE COVERAGE THAT
OUR CONSTITUTION REQUIRES US TO
PROVIDE.
>> Melissa: YOU WANTED TO
BRIEFLY RESPOND.
YOU'RE A BIT AHEAD OF TIME.
>> Rep. McGeachin: THE REASON
WHY OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE
HAVING A HARD TIME PASSING
LEVIES IS BECAUSE THEY'RE
SUFFERING.
IT'S BECAUSE OF THE LIBERAL
POLICIES THAT ARE THREATENING
THE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES IN
OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.
AND THAT CONTINUAL EROSION OF
THAT VERY IMPORTANT SECTOR OF
OUR ECONOMY.
>> Melissa: .
>> Ms. Collum: THE CONSERVATIVES
HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE OF OUR
GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES.
HOW CAN IT BE THE LIBERAL
POLICIES THAT HAVE CAUSED THIS
DAMAGE?
>> Rep. McGeachin: IT'S THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER THE
PRIOR ADMINISTRATION.
>> Melissa: DOUG HUYOU HAD A
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
>> WHAT WAS THE ON THE TAX CUT
LAST YEAR.
DO YOU THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT
THING TO DID AT THE TIME?
JUD
>> Ms. Collum: IT WAS
INTERESTING TODAY.
A REPORT CAME OUT JUST TODAY
SAYING HOW THE POORER PEOPLE IN
IDAHO ARE ACTUALLY PAYING A
HIGHER TAX BURDEN THAN THE
WEALTHIER, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.
THERE'S A 2% DIFFERENCE.
WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING OUR
COMMUNI
COMMUNITIES EQUALLY, AND THE TAX
CUT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
I AM VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
I HAVE A BIG DAY ON FRIDAY.
MY FINAL MORTGAGE FINAL IS
HAPPENING.
AND I WILL OWN MY HOME.
I WORKED THROUGH MY DEBT, AND I
ALWAYS SAVE FOR THE FUTURE, AND
INVEST IN THINGS.
I WOULD HAVE PUT IT BACK INTO
INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS
EDUCATION AND OUR ROADS AND
BRIDGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT,
BUT WE'RE ALREADY USING MORE AND
MORE RESOURCES.
WE KNOW THAT WE'RE THE THIRD
FASTEST-GROWING STATE RIGHT NOW,
AND WE'RE NOT PREPARED FOR IT.
WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT
IT.
WE'RE GIVING THE MONEY BACK TO
CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHY.
LIKE THAT IS NOT PRUDENT.
THAT IS NOT FISCALLY
RESPONSIBLE.
>> Melissa: THE NEXT QUESTION IS
FROM JAMES.
>> MS. COLLUM, BEFORE THE
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, YOU AND
REPRESENTATIVE PAULETTE JORDAN
ANNOUNCED YOU WERE RUNNING ON A
JOINT TICKET WITH HER SEEKING
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
ARE YOU STILL RUNNING TOGETHER?
>> Ms. Collum: SO I'VE BEEN TOLD
EVER SINCE MAY 8 WHEN WE DID
THAT, YOU KNOW, KRISTIN, THAT'S
REALLY NOT A THING HERE IN
IDAHO.
AND SO APPARENTLY IT'S NOT A
THING IN IDAHO, AND ANYONE CAN
VOTE FOR EITHER GOVERNOR, AND
THEY CAN ALWAYS VOTE FOR ME.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S A THING.
I WILL GO WITH WHOEVER THE
VOTERS VOTE IN IS WHO I'M
WORKING WITH, BECAUSE I'M A
PROFESSIONAL, AND I SHOW UP
EVERY DAY.
>> IT WAS A THING WHEN YOU DID
ANNOUNCE IT.
YOU HAD A WHOLE PRESS ROLL-OUT.
IT WAS A VERY BIG DEAL.
ARE YOU STILL RUNNING TOGETHER?
>> WE HAVE SEPARATE CAMPAIGNS
AND SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNTS AND
SEPARATE STAFF.
WE HAVE GONE DIFFERENT PLACES.
SHE HAS A DIFFERENT OPPONENT.
SO WE ARE NOT CAMPAIGNING
TOGETHER, AND WE HAVEN'T -- WE
RUN INTO EACH OTHER OCCASIONALLY
AT EVENTS.
VERY FEW WORDS HAVE PASSED.
I WOULDN'T QUITE CALL US THAT
NO.
>> WHY ARE YOU DISTANCING
YOURSELF FROM PAULETTE JORDAN AT
THIS MOMENT?
>> Ms. Collum: I WOULD SAY IT'S
A MATTER OF FACT LOOKING BACK
OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND
SAYING YEAH, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
I'VE BEEN VERY BUSY ON MY OWN
CAMPAIGN, GOING TO EVERY SINGLE
COUNTY ACROSS THE STATE, MEETING
PEOPLE, AND BEING AND
ESTABLISHING MY OWN REPUTATION
FOR LEADERSHIP, AND SHOWING WHAT
A VETERAN LOOKS LIKE AND SHOWING
WHAT A TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL
LOOKS LIKE AND SHOWING THE IDEAS
OF HOW I CAN LEAD AS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR, AND IF I WERE TO GO
WITH HER, THAT WOULD TAKE ME OFF
MY CAMPAIGN STRATEGY.
>> Melissa: REPRESENTATIVE
McGEACHIN, YOU WANTED TO
RESPOND.
>> Rep. McGeachin: HOW
CONVENIENT AFTER PAULETTE
JORDAN'S CAMPAIGN STARTS FALLING
APART THIS YOU DISTANCE YOURSELF
FROM HER WHEN AT A LOCAL RADIO
STATION IN MY HOME COMMUNITY,
YOU WERE PRESSED, IS THERE ANY
SPACE BETWEEN YOU AND PAULETTE
JORDAN.
AND YOUR VERY WORDS WERE NO, I
CAN'T THINK OF ANY, NO.
IDEALOGICALLY.
>> Ms. Collum: I'M N--
>> Rep. McGeachin: I'M NOT DONE
TALK.
YOU'VE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED
TOGETHER AT RECENT EVENTS.
> Reporter: IT'S A BITS
DISINGENUOUS TO BE WALKING BACK
FROM WHAT YOU SAID PRIOR.
>> Melissa: PLEASE RESPOND.
>> Ms. Collum: YES.
WE SHOW UP AT MANY EVENTS
TOGETHER.
IT HAPPENS.
AND I'M NOT DENYING THAT SHE'S
MY GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, BUT WE
DON'T TALK THAT MUCH.
WE ACTUALLY DON'T.
>> REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, IN
A CONTENTIOUS 5-WAY PRIMARY, YOU
ALIGNED YOURSELF WITH GROUPS
LIKE THE LIBERTY CAUCUS AND EYED
IDAHO FREEDOM FOUNDATION THAT
KOENT -- HOW WILL YOU WORK
YOURSELF WITH MODERATE REPS --
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS?
>> Rep. McGeachin: I ALIGN
THEMSELVES WITH THEM.
THEY WANT A DELICATE
GOVERNMENTAL TOUCH.
I HAVE TEN YEARS WORKING IN THAT
GOVERNMENTAL BODY.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S AN
OPPORTUNITY TO ANY GIVEN ISSUE
TO TRY TO WISHING TOGETHER TO
SOLVE THE PROBLEMS.
I HAVE DONE IT IN THE PAST, AND
I WILL DO IT AGAIN AS YOUR NEXT
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> Melissa: DID YOU WANT TO
RESPOND TO THAT?
>> Ms. Collum: IT FROM WHAT I
SEE, IT'S AN EXTREME, WHETHER
IT'S THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT, IT'S
THE EXTREME EYE IDEOLOGY THAT
TAKES US AWAY FROM MOVING
FORWARD.
WE ARE FEELING LIKE RIGHT NOW,
EVERYONE IS FEELING THE
DIVISIVENESS.
AS I HAVE TRAVELED THE STATE,
THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN
OUT OF EVERYONE I MEET IS
THEY'RE FEELING THAT STRETCH,
THAT RIP IN THE FABRIC.
IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S
DIVISIVENESS ON BOTH SIDES
STRETCHING IT LIKE A RUBBER
BAND.
IT'S GOING TO BREAK.
WE NEED MORE IN THE MIDDLE, MORE
COLLABORATION, AND I DON'T THINK
SOMEONE WITH HER EXTREME
CONSERVATIVE VALUES WHO IS
ALIGNED WITH THE IDAHOAN CAN
ACTUALLY EVEN WORK WITH OTHERS,
EVEN WITHIN HER OWN PARTY.
SHE CANNOT WORK WITH THEM.
>> Rep. McGeachin: I'VE GOT TO
RESPOND TO THAT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EXTREMISM.
WHO IS THE EXTREME PERSON HERE?
I SUPPORT LIFE THAT BEGINS AT
THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION, AND WE
SHOULD RESPECT LIFE AT ALL
STAGES.
MY OPPONENT IS SUPPORTED BY NOW
THAT WANTS TO TARGET CRISIS
PREGNANCY CENTERS HERE IN IDAHO.
I SUPPORT AND DEFEND OUR RIGHT
TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
I'M ENDORSED BY THE NRA AND HAVE
RECEIVED 100% RATING WITH THE
IDAHO SECOND AMENDMENT ALLIANCE.
MY OPPONENT HAS REFUSED TO
ANSWER THE CANDIDATE SURVEY ON
GUN RIGHTS.
AND SHE DOES ALIGN HERSELF WITH
THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WHO
FAMOUSLY QUOTED THAT THERY IS NO
PLACE FOR THE AR-15 IN IDAHO.
I ALSO BELIEVE IN HEALTH CARE
THAT WE NEED TO SOLVE THAT.
BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IN UNIFERAL
HEALTH CARE OR MASSIVE
GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IN HEALTH
CARE BUT RATHER SUPPORT THE FREE
MARKET.
>> Melissa: WE CAN FIND YOUR
POSITION STATEMENTS ON YOUR
WEBSITE.
MS. COLLUM, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU
A CHANCE TO RESPOND.
WE'RE ALMOST THE OUT OF TIME.
>> Ms. Collum: ALL THE THINGS
SHE DOESN'T SUPPORT LIKE
MEDICAID EXPANSION AND THE BASIC
THINGS WE NEED IN OUR STATE TO
HELP BRING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
AND HEALTH CARE BACK TO OUR
STATE AND TO A LEVEL THAT'S
ACCEPTABLE.
>> Melissa: ALL RIGHT.
WE HAVE TIME FOR ABOUT ONE MORE
TOPIC AND THAT WILL COME FROM
REBECCA BOONE.
>> I THINK THIS WILL BE A
QUICKER ONE.
THE IDAHO DARY AND RANCHING
INDUSTRIES ARE SOME OF THE
LARGEST CREATORS OF CARBON IN
THE STATE AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD WE
NEED TO CUT CARBON EMISSIONS BY
HALF IN THE NEXT 12 YEARS TO
STAVE OFF CATASTROPHE.
MS. COLLUM, DO YOU BELIEVE IN
HUMAN-CAUSED CLIMATE CHANGE AND
IF SO WOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO
REGULATE THE CARBON EMISSIONS IN
THESE TWO INDUSTRIES?
>> Ms. Collum: I BELIEVE IN
HUMAN-CAUSED CLIMATE CHANGE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD IMPOSE
ANYTHING.
I WOULD CONSULT THE STAKEHOLDERS
AND THE EXPERTS, AND WE WOULD
COME UP WITH OPTIONS AND SEE HOW
WE WOULD APPROACH THAT.
>> Melissa: ALL RIGHT.
AND REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN, I
WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO
RESPOND.
>> Rep. McGeachin: I BELIEVE WE
NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR
ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECT THE
QUALITY OF OUR AIR FOR OUR
FUTURE GENERATIONS.
AND SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I DO
SUPPORT THE EFFORTS, THE
WONDERFUL EFFORTS THAT ARE
HAPPENING AT THE IDAHO NATIONAL
LABORATORY TO FIND ALTERNATIVE,
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES,
BUILDING WITH THESE SMALL
MODULAR REACTORS, BUILDING THESE
ENERGY MODELS THAT CAN UTILIZE
ALL THESE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF
ENERGY.
>> Melissa: WE KNOW YOU'RE PRO
INL.
WOULD YOU WORK TO REGULATE ANY
OF THE CARBON EMISSIONS COMING
FROM THE AG INDUSTRY.
YES OR NO?
>> Rep. McGeachin: NO.
>> Melissa: IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR
CLOSING REMARKS.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH REPRESENTATIVE
McGEACHIN.
>> Rep. McGeachin: THANK YOU,
MELISSA AND TO THE VOTERS OF
IDAHO.
TONIGHT WE HAVE ENGAGED IN A
VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION FOR
VOTERS ACROSS OUR STATE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY HEART
IS FOR IDAHO, OUR HOME.
WE HAVE A BINARY CHOICE TO MAKE.
WE ARE DECIDING NOW THE
DIRECTION OUR STATE WILL EMBRACE
AND PROMOTE FOR YEARS TO COME.
IN IDAHO, WE HAVE EMBRACED THE
ORIGINAL DESIGN OF OUR
GOVERNMENT, A CONSTITUTIONAL
REPUBLIC WHERE CITIZENS ARE
GOVERNED WITH A LIGHT TOUCH,
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LIMITED,
AND OUR GOD-GIVEN UNALIENABLE
RIGHTS ARE SANK RO SACROSANCT.
THEY HAVE WORKED TO PRESERVE THE
AMERICA WE GREW UP IN AND WANT
TO PASS DOWN TO OUR CHILDREN AND
GRANDCHILDREN.
THESE CONSERVATIVE VALUES ARE
NOW AT RISK.
WE MUST STAND FIRM AND KEEP
IDAHO CONSERVATIVE, DESPITE THE
ATTACKS FROM THE LEFT.
IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE VOTE FOR
ME, JANICE McGEACHIN ON
NOVEMBER 6.
THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.
>> Melissa: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH,
REPRESENTATIVE McGEACHIN.
MS. COLLUM, YOUR CLOSING REMARKS
PLEASE.
>> Ms. Collum: THANK TO YOU
IDAHO DEBATES AND ALL
PARTICIPANTS AND ESPECIALLY
JANICE McGEACHIN.
THIS LET'S IDAHO CLEARLY SEE AND
KNOW WHO OUR CHOICES ARE FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
HERE'S WHY I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
I'M A PROFESSIONAL, A MODERATE
FOR TEAM IDAHO WHOSE FIRST
PRIORITY IS THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO,
ALL PEOPLE.
I'M IN THE MIDDLE LOOKING
FORWARD TO WORKING UP, DOWN, AND
ACROSS, TO GET THINGS DONE
EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
AS A VETERAN, THE VALUES OF HARD
WORK, RESPONSIBILITY, AND
INTEGRITY ARE BAKED INTO MY DNA.
I'M WITH THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO WHO
ARE VOTING FOR PROP 2 MEDICAID
EXPANSION ON NOVEMBER 6, BECAUSE
THEY WANT WORKING PEOPLE TO KEEP
WORKING, RURAL HOSPITALS TO STAY
OPEN, AND OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BE
SPENT WISELY AND COMING BACK TO
IDAHO.
AS THE ONLY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
OR CANDIDATE WHO HAS SERVED IN
UNIFORM, I'LL GLADLY ASSIST THE
GOVERNOR WHO IS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE IDAHO
NATIONAL GUARD AND PROUDLY
REPRESENT IDAHO VETERANS AND OUR
FAMILIES.
I BRING A UNIQUE TECHNICAL SKILL
TO THIS OFFICE AT A TIME WHEN
CYBERSECURITY WITHIN OUR STATE
NEEDS TO GET A LOT STRONGER TO
KEEP OUR PRIVATE DATA SAFE.
I'M KRISTIN COLLUM, RUNNING FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND I ASK
FOR YOUR VOTE.
>> Melissa: THANK YOU ALL FOR
THE TIME TONIGHT, AND THANKS TO
THE REPORTERS FOR THE GREAT
QUESTIONS AND TO OUR VIEWERS AT
HOME FOR WATCHING.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE
CANDIDATES ON OUR WEBSITE
IDAHOPTV.ORG/ELECTIONS.
WE HAVE ONE MORE LEFT ON
OCTOBER 29.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE
BETWEEN RUSS FULCHER AND
CHRISTINA
CRISTINA McNEIL.
PLUS, YOU CAN STREAM ON DEMAND
ALL OF THE DEBATES AT ANY TIME
AFTER THEY AIRED.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, GO VOTE.
THE ELECTION IS TUESDAY,
TUNE IN TO OUR TWO-HOUR SPECIALS
THIS FRIDAY OCTOBER 19 AND NEXT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26.
NOVEMBER 6TH. YOU CAN FIND OUT
WHERE TO VOTE, WHAT'S ON YOUR
LOCAL BALLOT AND MUCH MORE AT
IDAHOVOTES.GOV.
THANKS AGAIN, GOOD NIGHT, AND
WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE POLLS.
*
>> THE IDAHO DEBATES ARE A
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG THE
IDAHO PRESS CLUB, BOISE STATE
UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF PUBLIC
SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO'S
MCCLURE CENTER, IDAHO STATE
UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE, THE LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS' VOTER EDUCATION
FUND, AND IDAHO PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
FUNDING FOR THE IDAHO DEBATES IS
PROVIDED BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE IDAHO
PUBLIC TELEVISION ENDOWMENT.