>>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELL THE TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM CORPORATION, BUILDINGS THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.
BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.
>>> THE LEGISLATURE KICKS OFF ON MONDAY WITH GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
AND WHILE WE DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF HIS SPEECH, YOU CAN BET THAT TAX CUTS WILL BE A BIG PART OF IT.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER LAWMAKERS WILL BE ON THE SAME PAGE.
I'M MELISSA DAVLIN.
"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."
THIS WEEK SENATORS LORI DEN HARTOG AND MELISSA WINTROW JOIN ME TO DISCUSSION THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BUT FIRST, ON FRIDAY GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ADDRESSED THE IDAHO CAPITOL PRESS CORPS TO GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT WE MIGHT SEE ON MONDAY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND IN COMING WEEKS.
THE THEME, WHAT TO DO WITH THE STATE'S $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS.
>> TWO YEARS AGO, I THINK, IS WE STARTED DOING A FIVE-YEAR BUDGET FORECAST.
SO WE -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE PLUGGING NUMBERS INTO IT.
WE KNOW THAT THESE FEDERAL, WHETHER IT BE CARES OR ARPA OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO GO DOWN.
SO WE'RE DOING A FIVE-YEAR FORECAST, WHICH THE STATE LONG SHOULD DO, AND SO THAT'S -- THAT'S PART OF THE WAY WE DO THAT.
BUT WE'RE -- WE WILL NOT BE WILLY NILLY SPENDING MONEY.
WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT WE'RE SURE NOT GOING TO INCREASE THIS CONTINUE -- CONTINUE WITH THIS WAY -- WAY OVER OUR PROJECTIONED REVENUE GOING INTO THE FUTURE.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW BASE BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEW JOBS AND WELLS THAT'S BEEN -- CREATED HERE.
>> THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T GIVE MANY DETAILS, BUT EXPECT HIM TO FOCUS HEAVILY ON EDUCATION IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
>> THE STATE, WHETHER IT'S MY EXECUTIVE AGENCIES OR THE LEGISLATURE, TO WORK WITH, THE SAME THING WITH CITIES AND SEWER AND WATER AS IT IS WITH SCHOOLS AND WHAT THE STATE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DOES ABOUT OUR GOAL TO GET MORE KIDS READING PROFICIENTLY AT THE END OF THE THIRD GRADE, TO HAVE KIDS COLLEGE-READY, AND YOU KNOW, PROBABLY THE MOST URGENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY OF THE LEARNING LOSS, SOME OF IT WE WILL NEVER MAKE UP.
BUT THAT WE DO THE BEST WE CAN TO MAKE UP FOR THE LEARNING LOSS FROM THE LAST TWO YEARS.
>> BOTH GOVERNOR LITTLE AND LEGISLATORS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A POLITICALLY CHARGED PRIMARY SEASON WILL LIKELY HAVE SOME EFFECTS ON THIS YEAR'S DEBATES.
>> REAPPORTIONMENT.
THEY ALL HAVE AN IMPACT.
AND -- ON THINGS THAT YOU GO -- EXACTLY WHY DID THAT BILL GET INTRODUCED OR THAT LEGISLATOR DO THAT -- WELL, IT MIGHT BE RELATIVE TO THE NEW DISTRICT LINE OR WHAT HAPPENS.
BUT I -- THIS IS NOT MY FIRST RODEO.
>> IT'S GONNA GET IN THE WAY.
WE SAW IT PLAY OUT ON FRONT ROW SEATS LAST YEAR IN THE HOUSE.
AND IT CAUSES ME A LOT OF CONCERN.
EVERY HOUR WE SPEND TALKING ABOUT SOME MADE-UP SOCIAL ISSUE THAT LACKS SUPPORT OF DATA, FACTS, SCIENCE, THAT'S DONE TO PLAY TO A BASE, THAT'S DONE TO GET CLICKS AND DONATIONS, IS AN HOUR WE DO NOT SPEND ON THINGS THAT ARE REALLY CRITICAL TO IDAHO'S YOUNG FAMILIES.
AND AGING FAMILIES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES THAT ARE OUT OF CONTROL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND QUALITY K-12 EDUCATION.
THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
EVERY HOUR WE SPEND PLAY INDICATING THE -- PLACATING THE CAR RIGHT IN THE HOUSE IS AN HOUR WE DO NOT SPEND GETTING REAL WORK DONE FOR IDAHO FAMILIES.
>> SPEAKER SCOTT BEDKE TOLD REPORTERS HE'D LIKE TO SEE THE HOUSE INTRODUCE A TAX RELIEF PACKAGE IN JANUARY.
AS FOR DETAILS, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE BUT DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE PROPOSAL DOESN'T INCLUDE A GROCERY TAX REPEAL.
>> I THINK FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ANY TAX RELIEF, IS GOING TO BE PERCEIVED BY THE PUBLIC IN A GOOD WAY.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT SOME OF THE PUBLIC IS SAYING, NO, I DON'T REALLY WANT A TAX RELIEF.
I'D RATHER SEE YOU PUT THE MONEY INTO ROADS AND SCHOOLS AND DO THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO KEEP OUR STATE AND OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES RUNNING PROPERLY.
SO THAT'S GOING TO BE THE DEBATE AS TO HOW BEST TO DO THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SEEM TO FORGET SOMETIMES IS NO MATTER WHAT TAX YOU CALL IT, STILL THE SAME PEOPLE PAYING IT.
IT'S STILL THE AVERAGE CITIZEN OUT THERE THAT PAYS THE TAX.
YOU'LL SEE SOME DISCUSSIONS PROBABLY ABOUT, WELL, LET'S ELIMINATE THE GROCERY TAX.
AND THAT'S A BIG NUMBER TO DO THAT.
THAT SOUNDS GOOD.
BUT WITH THE TAX CREDITS THAT GO WITH IT, WE'RE ACTUALLY I THINK BETTER OFF AS IDAHO CITIZENS TO HAVE IT AND TO GET THE CREDIT AND WE CAN INCREASE THE CREDIT.
WE CAN DO SOME THINGS.
BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE TO RECREATE THAT HAVE SECOND HOMES PAY THAT GROCERY TAX.
THAT'S THE ONLY TAX THEY PAY OTHER THAN MAYBE A FUEL TAX WHEN THEY BUY SOME FUEL.
SO THAT DOES HELP US AS A STATE.
AND IT'S A BIG NUMBER.
AND IF YOU TAKE THAT AWAY, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO REPLACE THE MONEY SOME WAY.
>> ALL OF THE RHETORIC THAT WE HEAR AROUND THIS FORGETS THE FACT THAT IDAHO HAS A REFUNDABLE GROCERY TAX CREDIT.
MOST OF THE -- AND -- THAT THEY GATES THE SALES TAX ON FOOD FROM -- FOR MOST I'D YEAEN -- IDAHOANS TO A LARGE DEGREE.
WE CAN RAISE THAT.
IF IT'S OUT OF WHACK, THAT CAN BE USED.
-- RAISED.
BUT YOU RAISE 2.6 BILLION DOLLARS ON SALES TAX STATEWIDE.
APPROXIMATELY 12% OF THAT TOTAL COMES FROM TAXING FOOD AS DEFINED BY FOOD STAMPS.
ALL RIGHT.
SO THAT'S ABOUT $320 MILLION LESS MONEY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BRING IN.
BUT YOU GET TO GET RID OF THE CREDIT SYSTEM AND THAT BULLPEN -- BUT THAT ONLY COSTS ABOUT WHEEN 70.
-- 170.
SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE 140 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAX BENEFIT COMING FROM THIS CHANGE THAT IS GOING TO ACCRUE TO TWO DEMOGRAPHICS HERE.
PEOPLE THAT DO NOT FILE INCOME TAXES AND PEOPLE THAT ARE FROM OUT OF STATE.
NOW, I BELIEVE THAT OUR TAX POLICY SHOULD ALWAYS BENEFIT THE HARDWORKING TAX PAYING IDAHOANS.
IN AUR AN ENTITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HERE WHO RELIES ON THE REVENUE SHARING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, THE FIRST 11 1/2% OF THAT SALES TAX MONEY GOES TO THE DISTRIBUTION FORMULA AND YOU JUST TOOK COLOR 320 MILLION -- $320 OUT OF THAT DISTRIBUTION STREAM.
>> I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THE SPEAKER OR THE PRO TEM ON THE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH THESE UNSPENT FUNSDZ.
-- FUNDS.
THEY ARE NOT UNLIMITED AND I DO AGREE THAT THERE IS A COMPONENT OF ONE-TIME MONEY THAT SHOULD NOT BE SPENT IN AN ONGOING WAY.
GROCERY TAX CUT WOULD BE AN ONGOING COMMITMENT OF FUNDS TO THAT TAX RELIEF.
HOWEVER, THE LEGISLATURE HAS COME VERY CLOSE.
IN FACT, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A GROCERY TAX CUT.
IT WAS VETOED BY GOVERNOR OTTER AND GOVERNOR LITTLE COMMITTED HIMSELF WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR TO GROCERY TAX CUT.
NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED ON THAT ISSUE.
AND IT IS THE KIND OF TAX RELIEF THAT EVERYBODY GETS, WHETHER YOU'RE RICH, POOR, OR EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
AND WE HAVE SEEN OUR INCOME TAX GO UP, STARTED AT 3%.
WE'RE NOW AT 6.
AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN IDAHO WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
THEY DO NOT ENJOY MUCH IN THE WAY OF INCOME TAX RELIEF BECAUSE THEY DON'T PAY MUCH IN INCOME TAXES.
AND THIS WOULD BE A WAY TO HELP THEM.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A COST INVOLVED AS SENATOR WINDER POINTED OUT, BUT THE COST IS WELL WORTH IN IT MY ESTIMATION.
>> THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS ALSO ADDRESSED DAYCARE STAFF SHORTAGES IN THE STATE AS WELL AS A PUSH TO GET FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.
AND WHETHER THIS IS THE YEAR THE STATE WILL ADOPT IT.
>> I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT IT IS.
BUT AS YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE FULL LEGISLATURE.
WE'RE SPEAKING AS BEST WE UNDERSTAND CIRCUMSTANCES AND TRY AND RELATE THAT TO YOU.
BUT I THINK THERE'S A GOOD EFFORT GOING ON BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND IT STARTED DURING THE LAST SESSIO.
AND SO I THINK THERE'S A VERY GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD HAPPEN THIS YEAR.
>> I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN.
I THINK WE WERE WITHIN A NANOMETER IN THE LAST -- I'LL CALL IT THE WINTER SESSION THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.
I THINK WE WERE VERY CLOSE.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THE VERY BEST OF OUR LEGISLATEORS WORKING VERY HARD ON THIS ISSUE.
SO I -- I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.
>> THERE IS AN EFFORT ALREADY GOING ON BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO BRING FORWARD FULL-TIME KIND -- KINDERGARTEN.
BUT THERE ARE SOME DISTRICTS FROM THE STATE THAT ALREADY HAVE IT.
THERE ARE SOME DISTRICTS THAT DON'T EVEN HAVE THE SPACE AVAILABLE TO DO IT.
SO IT CAN'T JUST BE SOMETHING WHERE YOU SAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN.
WE'VE GIVEN DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO THE DISTRICTS TO USE.
I THINK YOU'LL SEE PROPOSALS TO GIVE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO DISTRICTS TO USE FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.
I THINK IT'S PART OF THE WHOLE DAYCARE ISSUE THAT GOES ON OUT THERE.
BUT BETTER WE CAN PREPARE OUR STUDENTS IN THE KINDERGARTEN LEVEL TO COME IN TO FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD GRADE, THE BETTER OFF WE'RE GOING TO BE.
FROM THE STANDPOINT OF DAYCARE, AS YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THAT IN HIS RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTIONS, THAT THAT PROBABLY WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU'D HEAR MORE DETAIL ABOUT ON MONDAY.
BUT I THINK THERE ARE REAL REASONS TO LOOK AT DAYCARE AND HOW DO WE -- HOW DO WE PROVIDE THAT, HOW DO WE HELP THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ACTUALLY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.
>> PROVIDING RELIABLE -- RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.
WHEN MY WIFE AND I -- WHEN WE LEFT THE MILITARY, WE HAD TWO YOUNG KIDS.
WE WENT BACK TO SCHOOL.
THE ONLY REASON WE COULD GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND THAT WE COULD FOCUS ON GETTING AN EDUCATION TO BETTER OUR LIVES WAS BECAUSE WE HAD AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, QUALITY CHILD CARE.
AND YOU'LL HEAR THAT FROM EVERYBODY.
AND WHAT HACHTION WHEN YOU DON'T -- HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T?
GRANDPARENTS FILL THE VOID.
SOMETIMES THEY WORK.
YOU HAVE WORKING FAMILIES.
THEIR SCHEDULES GET DISRUPTED WHEN THEY CAN'T GET AFFORDABLE, QUALITY, AND RELIABLE CHILD CARE.
AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
THAT MEAN IT CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR THE EMPLOYERS.
THIS IS A BUSINESS ISSUE.
AND OUR LARGEST BUSINESSES, OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, THEY'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT IT.
>> ON MONDAY JANUARY 10TH IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS AIRING GOVERNOR LITTLE'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LIVE AT 1:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN NINE, NOON PACIFIC.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ADDRESS, IDAHO REPORTS WILL BRING YOU LIFE ANALYSIS AND REACTIONS.
YOU CAN WATCH ON AIR AND ON OUR YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK CHANNELS.
JOINING ME TO DISCUSS THE UPCOMING SESSION IS SENATOR LORI DEN HARTOG, CHAIR OF THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND SENATOR MELISSA WINTROW, MEMBER OF THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
SENATOR DEN HARDOG, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO SEE IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON MONDAY?
>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR GAVE US A GREAT PREINTERVIEW TODAY OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE ON MONDAY.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS AGAIN INTO TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
EVEN WITH THE GREAT WORK FROM THE PACKAGE THAT WE PASSED LAST YEAR, WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY -- WE DID A LOT OF WORK LAST YEAR ON NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION.
THIS YEAR I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A FOCUS ON MAINTENANCE AND BRIDGE REPAIR, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY EXCITING.
>> OUTSIDE OF YOUR PURVIEW ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, ARE THERE ANY THINGS YOU'LL BE WATCHING FOR?
>> CERTAINLY, ALL THE DIFFERENT TAX POLICY PROPOSALS THAT WE'LL SEE COMING FROM OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE AND WHAT THEY COME UP WITH.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.
THOSE PIECES OF LEGISLATION ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE.
BUT OBVIOUSLY WE LIKE TO BE INVOLVED AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEFORE IT GETS OVER TO THE SENATE.
SO I THINK WE'LL SEE SOME ADDITIONAL TAX RELIEF AS A WAY TO USE THE LARGE SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE COMING INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> SENATOR WINTROW, I LOVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT SURPLUS.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT A PART OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ANYMORE.
I WAS IN THE HOUSE FOR FOUR YEARS AND LEARNED A TON AND I DO MISS IT.
>> I REALLY APOLOGIZE ABOUT THAT.
>> NO WORRIES.
>> I THOUGHT -- >> HEALTH AND WELFARE, TRANSPORTATION, SO NO WORRIES.
BUT I WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT.
I HAVE IMPOSTER SYNDROME.
BUT THE THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR DID ADDRESS.
AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, EDUCATION.
AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.
WE KNOW THAT IF WE WE HAVE A FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN THAT NOT ONLY HELPS PEOPLE GET TO WORK BUT IT HELPS KIDS IN LITERACY.
AND I ACTUALLY VISITED WITH THE BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND THEY WERE SHARING SOME REALLY GREAT DATA AND RESEARCH THEY'VE DONE ON FOLKS -- ON KIDS THAT HAVE GONE HALF-DAY AND FULL-DAY AND ALSO SHARING ANECDOTAL INFORMATION FROM TEACHERS.
SO FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AND I HOPE EARLY LEARNING, I WOULD LOVE THAT.
AND I THINK JUST LIKE THE -- WHAT WE'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER IS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
AND I'D LIKE TO SEE US GET BACK TO THE HOMEOWNER'S EXEMPTION AND WHERE IT SHOULD BE AT THIS POINT.
WE COULD DO A LOT BETTER THERE AND FIX THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BECAUSE WE KICKED SOME FOLKS OFF OF THAT I THINK INADVERTENTLY.
SO EDUCATION, PROPERTY TAX, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SURE, AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE US LOOK AT WAGES, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE WITH THE RISING HOME PRICES, THE POPULATION GROWTH, YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING JUST TO -- STAY -- YOU KNOW, KEEP THEIR KIDS IN SCHOOL AND KEEP THEIR HOMES.
SO WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING THERE.
>> AND FOR FOLKS WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE CIRCUS BREAKER, THE TERM, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT AND WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES LATELY.
>> THAT'S THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM THAT FOLKS CAN APPLY FOR IF THEY'RE 65 AND OVER, A VETERAN, OR DISABLED.
AND WE HAVE THAT THERE BECAUSE AS FOLKS GET OLDER AND THEY DO WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, PAY IT OFF, LIVE AND DIE IN THEIR HOME, THAT AS PROPERTY VALUES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND THAT THE JUST GOOD POLICY AND PRACTICE FOR SO MANY FOLKS.
SO WHAT HAPPENED I THINK IN THE LAST BILL WAS WHEN WE SET THAT MEDIAN HOME PRICE, THAT BASICALLY IT CHANGED WHO COULD APPLY AND THAT -- IN THAT NUMBER.
AND SO I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 4,000 FOLKS THAT PROBABLY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO -- JUST TO APPLY TO IT.
AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.
I WANT TO SAY IT WAS LIKE 85% OF THE APPLICANTS OF 26,000 FOLKS ARE 65 AND OLDER.
THEY'RE ELDERLY.
SO YEAH.
>> I THINK ON THE PROPERTY TAX, IT'S -- IT'S ALWAYS AN INTERESTING DEBATE BECAUSE THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE VERY MANY WHEREVERS TO PULL -- MANY LEVERS TO PULL ON PROPERTY TAX.
THEY'RE LEVIED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND SO IT'S NOT -- I KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL, NONE OF THAT REVENUE, NONE OF THAT TAX REVENUE COMES TO THE STATE.
SO THERE'S VERY FEW LEVERS WE HAVE TO PULL AT THE STATE.
IT HAS TO LOT TO DO WITH THE RATES FOR YOUR LOCAL FIRE DISTRICT OR SCHOOL DISTRICT, YOUR CITY, COUNTY, THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT.
LOOK AT THE LONG LIST ON YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AND I THINK THAT TELLS THE STORY THERE, TOO.
SO THERE'S JUST A FEW THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND THAT'S USUALLY WHAT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION WHEN WE COME IN TO SESSION.
AND SOME OF THAT IS THE HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, AND SOME OF THESE OTHER THINGS.
SO I THINK THIS YEAR, MORE THAN ANY OTHER, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME UNIQUE PROPOSALS ABOUT HOW THE STATE CAN IMPACT MAKING PROPERTY TAXES SO THEY'RE NOT SUCH AN ISSUE FOR FOLKS, LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS, TOO.
THE FOLKS ON A FIXED INCOME AND NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE INCREASING PROPERTY TAX.
>> AND I THINK, DO -- TOO, WHAT I HEAR IS PROPERTY TAX, NOT INCOME TAX, RELIEF.
I'VE HAD CONSTITUENTS SAY MELISSA, IF I'M HEARING ABOUT INCOME TAX, I DON'T NEED THAT.
MY $50 REBATE DIDN'T HELP ME THAT MUCH.
BUT THE PROPERTY TAXES, THE LEVER IS IF THE STATE WERE TO FUND CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION, BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE BONDS AND LEVIES ARE ABOUT EDUCATION, AND IF QUESTION -- ARE ABOUT EDUCATION, AND IF WE COULD DO BETTER IN THAT REALM, THAT MAY HELP WITH PROPERTY TAXES STATEWIDE.
>> SENATOR WINTROW MENTIONED FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN EARLIER.
WE HEARD THAT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TODAY.
YOU'RE ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT WILL FALL THIS YEAR?
IS THIS THE YEAR?
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER AROUND IT.
I DO THINK IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A YEAR, THIS WOULD BE IT.
I STILL THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE AND CONVERSATION HAPPENING AMONGST OUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT FUNDING ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AT THE STATE LEVEL IS WHAT'S APPROPRIATE.
SO I STILL THINK THERE'S A PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE THAT HAS TO HAPPEN ASIDE FROM THE COST.
AND THOSE ARE BOTH IMPORTANT -- THOSE ARE BOTH IMPORTANT COMPONENTS TO THAT CONVERSATION.
YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR WE SAW A PROPOSAL -- WELL, IT WOULD HAVE FELT QUITE LATE IN THE NORMAL SESSION, BUT TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH AND IT WAS A KINDERGARTEN BILL THAT WAS TOUTED AS BEING -- UP, FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PART OF THEIR LEVY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT ADDITIONAL HALF-DAY OF KINDERGARTEN BECAUSE THE STATE CURRENTLY PAYS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF KINDERGARTEN.
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING BUT NOT ALL DISTRICTS HAVE A LOCAL LEVY.
SO IF WE DO SOMETHING THAT ADDRESS -- THIS LOCAL ISSUE, MY AREA FOR INSTANCE, THEY HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED TO PASS A LOCAL LEVI IN OVER A DECADE.
-- LEVY IN OVER A DECADE.
SO THERE'S EQUITY ISSUES WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT.
AND THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONVERSATION TODAY AND THE LEADERSHIP CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT LATER.
>> YOU KNOW, THE THING I WOULD ADD THERE.
I TOADLY -- TOTALLY APPRECIATED THAT CONVERSATION.
WE CAN IF I CAN OUT THE EQUALIZATION OF THAT.
BUT TO ME, I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO PUT THE PHILOSOPHIC DISCUSSIONS ON HOLD AND LOOK AT OUTCOMING.
THE BASIC OUTCOMES THAT WE SEE OF COMPARING KIDS IN HALF-DAY AND FULL-DAY, EXTRAORDINARY GIVEN.
AND IF -- DIFFERENT.
AND IF WE WANT TO GET KIDS READ, INCREASE THEIR LITERACY, WHICH CORRELATES TO INCARBS RACE LATER, WE LOOK AT OUTCOMES.
WE KNOW THIS IS A GOOD THING.
IT GETS THEM ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR THEIR LEARNING PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE TIME, AS WELL AS I THINK THAT FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN HELPS FOLKS GET OUT IN THE WORKFORCE, TOO.
AND THAT -- AND THAT'S A LEVER AS FAR AS REDUCING THE CHILD CARE COSTS AS WELL.
SO I THINK THAT -- THAT PRE-K AND EARLY LEARNING KINDERGARTEN, COMPLEMENT CHILD CARE ISSUES BUT ALSO INCREASE THE LEARNING.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
>> YOU BOTH BRING UP A REALLY GOOD POINT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR SURPLUS AND EDUCATION OUTCOMES AND PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ON THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY GOING INTO AN ELECTION YEAR.
AND A CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY.
HOW MUCH OF THE PHILOSOPHY IS GOING TO BE DRIVING THE CONVERSATIONS?
>> I THINK A LOT.
I THINK -- YOU KNOW, IT FEELS LIKE EVERY YEAR, IT IS.
IT'S ALWAYS A PART OF IT.
WE'RE IN POLITICS.
AND SO IT'S ALWAYS A PART OF IT.
PEOPLE WANT TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHY WE'RE VOTING A CERTAIN WAY, WHY WE'RE ADDRESSING AN ISSUE A PARTICULAR WAY AND A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH SOMEONE'S BASIC, YOU KNOW, POLITICAL FOUNDATION IS DO YOU BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM OR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
AND THERE'S ALWAYS ATTENTION THERE.
AND I THINK ON THE KINDERGARTEN ISSUES, I THINK WHEN -- I WAS IN I THINK IN IDAHO ED NEWS ARTICLE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THAT THE NUMBER WAS THROWN OUT THAT THERE WAS EIGHT DIFFERENCE PIECES OF LEGISLATION PROPOSALS KINT.
I THINK WE'LL -- KINDERGARTEN.
I THINK WE'LL SEE UNIQUE PROPOSALS AND THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE THAT I'M AWARE OF, BUT I THINK WE ALSO CAN THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
THAT IT DOESN'T JUST HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, SENDING FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.
THAT MAYBE THERE'S SOME OTHER UNIQUE THINGS WE COULD DO THAT WOULD GET KIDS WHAT THEY NEED FOR THAT EARLY LEARNING.
AND STILL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OUR FAMILIES AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OUR DISTRICTS.
SO I'M EXCITED FOR SOME OF THE UNIQUE PROPOSAL THAT IS I THINK ARE GOING -- THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE.
>> I WOULD SAY IN THOSE PROPOSALS, I WAS AT A SUPERINTENDENT'S MEETING AND I TRY TO GO -- WE ALL TRY TO GO BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM FOLKS WORKING IN THE TRENCHES ON THE GROUND WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T.
SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALLY -- YOU KNOW, CONSULT WITH TEACHERS, SUMMITS, PARENTS -- SUPERINTENDENTS, PARENTS, ET CETERA, FOR WHAT WORKS.
WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE PEOPLE WERE BANGING ON ME ABOUT FULL/DAY KINDERGARTEN.
HERE WE ARE STILL HAVING THAT CONVERSATION.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE WANT.
IT'S BENEFICIAL TO KIDS.
IT INCREASES LITERACY.
IT HELPS IN CRITICAL THINKING.
ALTHOUGH THINGS.
I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE AND LISTEN TO THE FOLKS IN THE TRENCHES THAT KNOW HOW IT WORKS.
>> I'M CURIOUS HOW MUCH OF THIS SESSION IS GOING TO BE A REHASHING OF THE RECONVENED SESSION IN NOVEMBER.
HOW MUCH MORE DISCUSSION IS THERE GOING TO BE ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES AND WHETHER EMPLOYERS CAN DO THEM AND WHETHER OR NOT THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE A MORE FORCEFUL ROLE IN PUSHING BACK AGAINST THOSE FEDERAL MANDATES.
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?
>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE ISSUES COME UP AGAIN THIS SESSION.
I THINK THAT WAS CERTAINLY WHERE WE LEFT THINGS IN THE SENATE.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME COLLEAGUES OF OURS IN THE HOUSE THAT REQUEST QUITE FRUSTRATED THAT WE DIDN'T ACT ON ANY OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT THEY SENT US, SO I DON'T THINK THAT CONVERSATION IS DONE.
I THINK WE KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE AND WE'LL SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE LAY OF THE LAND IN TERMS OF WHAT THE STATE -- WHERE THE STATE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T INTERVENE.
SO I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND I'M STILL HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN US TAKING THAT ISSUE UP.
>> AND I KNOW YOU WERE AMONG THE SENATORS WHO WAS FRUSTRATED THAT THE SENATE DIDN'T DO MORE, DIDN'T TAKE UP MORE OF THE HOUSE BILLS.
ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR FELLOW CHAIRMEN THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HEAR THOSE PROPOSALS IF THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE SENATE AGAIN?
>> YES.
I BELIEVE SO.
AND I THINK WHAT WE SAW AND I THINK THE PRO TEM EVEN SPOKE TO IT THIS MORNING, BECAUSE OF WHAT FELT LIKE THE RUSHED NATURE OF THAT SPECIAL SESSION IN NOVEMBER, WE ALWAYS LEARN THINGS THROUGH THE HEARING PROCESS.
THAT IS -- WITHOUT FAIL, THAT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME.
WE THINK WE HAVE THE PERFECT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WE GET TO A HEARING AND WE LEARN SOMETHING WE DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE WE CAME INTO THAT HEARING.
SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOD IF I CAITIONDZ TO THOSE PROPOSAL -- MODIFICATONS TO THOSE PROPOSALS IN NOVEMBER.
I THINK WE'LL SEE NEW PROPOSALS.
I FULLY ANTICIPATE THAT.
>> ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HEARD TODAY, YOUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR BURGOYNE, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REPEAL OF THE GROCERY TAX.
NOT A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FROM HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND SOME SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS ON THAT.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE WHEN IT COMES TO GROCERY TAX?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IS AN INTERESTING ISSUE, BECAUSE WHEN I WAS ON THE JOINT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, THAT CAME UP AND I ASKED FOR A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FISCAL ANALYSIS OF THAT.
AND WHAT I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO MY CONSTITUENTS IS THAT AT ITS FACE VALUE, YOU WONDER SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY BE TAXING SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO LIVE, RIGHT?
I GET THE FOUNDATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.
HOWEVER, I DON'T -- I THINK THERE ARE BETTER WAYS IN REPEALING THE WHOLE TAX AND MAYBE DOING GROCERY TAX CREDIT TO GET WHERE WE WANT.
THAT WOULD HELP THE PEOPLE WE WANT TO HELP.
AND I THINK SENATOR WINTROW MADE A GOOD POINT -- SENATOR WINDER MADE A VERY GOOD POINT, WITH THE GROWING TOURISM IN OUR STATE AND PEOPLE HAVING SECOND HOMES, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TAXED.
HELPS THE FOLKS THAT HAVE LIVED HERE THEIR WHOLE LIVES.
IT'S NOT SOLD ON THE GROCERY TAX.
I GET THE PHILOSOPHY AND THE BACKGROUND.
BUT I THINK THE TAX CREDIT IS A BETTER WAY TO GO.
>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A SUPPORTER OF REPEALING THE SALES TAX ON FOOD.
WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE ANALYSES SHOWING THAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE BETTER OFF WITH THE WHY THAT WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS ALWAYS BOTHERED ME IS FOR THE FOLKS THAT REALLY NEED IT THE MOST IS THAT IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT AT THAT POINT OF SALE.
YOU KNOW, HAVING TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR TO GET THAT CREDIT OR, YOU KNOW, TO GET -- IT'S A REFUNDABLE CREDIT, SO EVEN IF YOU AREN'T PAYING INCOME TAX, YOU GET IT.
SO FOR SOME FOLKS WAITING A WHOLE YEAR TO GET THAT BACK FROM THE STATE IS REALLY -- IS REALLY A BURDEN.
AND I THINK THAT'S -- THAT'S THE BALANCE.
I THINK WE'RE ALL TRYING TO STRIKE AS WE DEBATE THIS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, FOR SOME FOLKS WAITING THAT WHOLE YEAR DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
FOR SOME FOLKS THEY'RE BETTER OFF WITH IT.
BUT IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT AT THAT POINT OF SALE.
>> AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
AND I THINK WHEN YOU GO STAND IN LINE AT WHO ELSE FOODS VERSUS THE WINCO, YOU SEE WHO IT MIGHT BENEFIT MORE.
AND IT'S REALLY THE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE FOODS SEX VERSUS THE WIN DO.
-- SECTION VERSUS THE WINCO.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE BENEFIT IS GOING WHERE IT NEEDS TO.
AND THEN THE HUGE LOSS I THINK AT THAT TIME WAS 80 TO $100 MILLION THAT WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE COFFERS THAT COULD BE USED FOR EDUCATION OAR OTHER THINGS THAT WE REALLY DRASTICALLY NEED THAT.
WAS MY HESITATION AS WELL.
>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.
AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY FOR OUR LIVE STATE OF THE STATE COVERAGE.
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