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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><img width="624" height="147" style="width:6.5in;height:1.5277in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D6FBC5.2796C650" alt="Graphical user interface, application
Description automatically generated"></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">February 5, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Building Idaho’s future requires looking forward, not back<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">By Governor Brad Little<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">I am sure glad to live in Idaho. We have a proud history and bright future ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">We have the strongest economy in the nation. We have one of the best employment rates in the country. We have been open longer than almost every other state
during the pandemic and added thousands of employers during 2020, blowing previous years out of the water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">We also have the most financially solvent state budget. Quick action during the darkest months of our pandemic fight, combined with years of fiscal conservatism,
have resulted in a record budget surplus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">We are positioned to provide citizens with historic tax relief and make strategic investments where they count.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">This is all good news. Pointing this out is not meant to downplay the lives we have lost during the pandemic and the hardship many parents, children, and
businesses have endured. It was a hard, tragic year and the challenges continue as we get through the final stretch of our pandemic fight together. It’s also not meant to say we’re perfect – nothing can be perfect. For one, the vaccine rollout needs to happen
more quickly, and it remains my top priority.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">But consider other states. Instead of taking steps to give money back to citizens through tax relief, other states are considering tax increases to handle
the 20- to 40-percent budget cuts they face because they haven’t managed their economy and state budgets as well as Idaho.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">There has been a lot of focus on the past 11 months. That is fine, but Idahoans are better served when we focus on our future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">My plan to provide Idahoans tax relief and make strategic investments in transportation, education, broadband, other important areas. It is called “Building
Idaho’s Future.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">I am proposing more than $450 million in tax relief – among the single largest tax cuts in Idaho history. These tax cuts will boost your prosperity while
keeping our tax rates competitive and our business climate vibrant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">I am also proposing major investments in our roads to help preserve one of your most precious commodities: your time. We cannot ignore a growing problem
that steals Idahoans’ time and threatens their safety and our economic prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">I am proposing investments in literacy to close achievement gaps that widened for some students during the pandemic, along with investments in higher education
and career technical education training programs across Idaho. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">My plan also includes expanding broadband infrastructure, to better connect Idaho and improve commerce, economic growth, and education. In addition, my plan
supports major water infrastructure projects and needed projects for agriculture and outdoor recreation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">I am seeking more support for small businesses, on top of the $300 million in direct support for small businesses last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">“Building Idaho’s Future” also invests in the items necessary to support frontline personnel at the Idaho State Police and training for our local frontline
police officers. While other states seek to defund the police, I am proud to say Idaho “Backs the Blue.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Beyond my “Building Idaho’s Future” plan, my “no frills” budget for Fiscal Year 2022 leaves a prudent surplus, bolsters rainy-day funds, and reflects my
continued priority on education, including our valuable teachers. My budget proposal is among the most conservative in years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Idahoans are fearless, forward-looking people. We have dealt with the pandemic by making the best of it and caring for our neighbors.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">But the battle isn’t over yet. We must remain vigilant and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Idaho as we work to get more and more Idahoans vaccinated. My
partners at the local public health boards will continue to have my support, as they have had all along, in taking steps to protect the communities they serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Given all our success and the bright future ahead of us, if you’re like me, you’re glad to live in Idaho, too.</span>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Let’s continue to work together to build Idaho’s future!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">648 words<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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