From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Dec 4 09:59:46 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2020 16:59:46 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?SWRhaG8gbGF3eWVyIEJyYWR5IEhhbGwgdG8gc2VydmUgYXMgR2VuZXJhbCBD?= =?utf-8?B?b3Vuc2VsIGZvciBHb3Zlcm5vcuKAmXMgT2ZmaWNl?= Message-ID: [cid:image003.png at 01D6CA24.31B5A6B0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2020 Idaho lawyer Brady Hall to serve as General Counsel for Governor?s Office Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little announced today the hiring of Idaho lawyer Brady Hall to serve as General Counsel for the Office of the Governor. ?Brady will serve Idahoans well in his new role as General Counsel for my office and a member of my leadership team. He is an experienced and skilled attorney. I look forward to his work and leadership on important legal and policy matters affecting the people we serve,? Governor Little said. An Idaho native, Hall received his law degree and bachelor?s degrees in criminal justice, political science, and sociology from the University of Idaho. He has been a partner at Boise-based law firm Moore Elia Kraft & Hall since 2007 and served as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Department of Defense where he deployed to Iraq in support of U.S. counterinsurgency operations. Hall is an experienced litigation and trial attorney who has spent the last dozen years defending Idaho and other governmental entities in complex state and federal lawsuits. He represented Idahoans and their businesses in courts throughout the state. Hall also handled numerous cases in the U.S. District Court of Idaho and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and was recently lead counsel in a case filed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Hall has volunteered hundreds of hours protecting the interests of children in court proceedings. Hall took over for Brian Wonderlich, who is leaving the Governor?s Office to work in the private sector. ?I sincerely thank Brian Wonderlich for serving the people of Idaho so capably as my General Counsel for the past two years and as the chair of my transition team after my election. He is a loyal friend and an intelligent lawyer, and he will be deeply missed in my office. I wish him well as he takes another career step,? Governor Little said. In addition, Governor Little announced he promoted Bobbi-Jo Meuleman to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff. She will retain her duties as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Governor?s Office. In her new role, she will direct day-to-day management of the Governor?s Office and engage in a variety of other projects while still serving as the primary liaison between the Governor?s Office and legislators, tribes, the business community, and officials in federal, state, county and city government. # # # ? NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 96568 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Mon Dec 7 12:47:42 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2020 19:47:42 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?R292LiBMaXR0bGUgc2F5cyBJZGFob2FucyBtdXN0IGNob29zZSB0byBrZWVw?= =?utf-8?B?IG90aGVycyBzYWZlIGFuZCBwcm90ZWN0IElkYWhv4oCZcyBzdHJvbmcgZWNv?= =?utf-8?Q?nomic_trend?= Message-ID: [cid:image003.png at 01D6CC97.26EFB520] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2020 Gov. Little says Idahoans must choose to keep others safe and protect Idaho?s strong economic trend Boise, Idaho ? November was the best month yet for state revenue figures in the new fiscal year, and Governor Brad Little said Idahoans must choose to do a better job to slow the spread of COVID-19 if we are going to continue our strong economic rebound during the pandemic. ?Idaho?s economy is open and strengthening, and we are poised to achieve the largest budget surplus in Idaho history. However, our plan to achieve tax cuts and long-lasting needed investments is threatened if our hospitals are maxed out and our workforce is sick. Health and the economy are intertwined. Idahoans must choose to do a better job of wearing masks and avoiding gatherings with people outside their households if we are going to continue this trend,? Governor Little said. The Idaho Division of Financial Management posted the November revenue report today. It is available at https://dfm.idaho.gov/publications/eab/gfrr/gfrr2021/gfrr_dec2020.pdf. While other states face budget cuts of 20- to 40-percent or more, Idaho?s November revenue figures came in 16.5-percent or $44.5 million ahead of forecast, the strongest month since July. Year to date, state revenues are ahead of forecast by 10.6-percent, or $168.3 million. Governor Little said he will put forth a package in January for legislative approval that provides tax cuts and makes one-time investments in transportation, education, water projects, and more. ?COVID-19 is deadlier and more dangerous than the flu, period. More COVID-19 transmission results in more COVID-19 hospitalizations and fewer available healthcare workers to care for the patients. The result is diminished healthcare access for all of us, whether we have COVID or not. We all have a choice ? practice safe measures consistently to protect yourself and others, keep our economy open and our workforce healthy, and keep our kids in school,? Governor Little said. # # # ? NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 49182 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Mon Dec 7 16:46:21 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2020 23:46:21 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?Gov._Brad_Little=92s_calendar_for_the_week_of_Dec._7-11?= Message-ID: [cid:df2e33ef-98bc-4aec-b3ab-deee7bb5c4e1] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 7, 2020 Included below is information on some of the public events on Governor Brad Little?s calendar for the week of December 7-11. TUESDAY, December 8, 2020 Governor Little will host a statewide AARP telephone town hall to provide information and answer questions regarding COVID-19 in Idaho. The hour-long conversation begins at 12 p.m. MT. Participants can join by dialing toll-free 866-767-0637 or register in advance by visiting https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/. THURSDAY, December 10, 2020 Governor Brad Little will hold a virtual press conference updating Idahoans on COVID-19 in the state Thursday, December 10 at 12 p.m. MT. The conference will be streamed to the public online at https://www.idahoptv.org/shows/idahoinsession/governor/ and broadcast live on Idaho Public Television statewide on the Idaho channel (.1). Media requiring access should RSVP to Emily Callihan. # # # NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Outlook-vzqza5rf.png Type: image/png Size: 83585 bytes Desc: Outlook-vzqza5rf.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Thu Dec 10 12:03:58 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2020 19:03:58 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little explains Crisis Standards of Care, highlights steps to address hospital constraints Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6CEEA.85402150] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2020 Gov. Little explains Crisis Standards of Care, highlights steps to address hospital constraints Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little explained today that Idahoans can expect diminished healthcare access if the State of Idaho must activate the Crisis Standards of Care, and he outlined many of the actions the state has taken to address the constraints facing hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State of Idaho would activate Crisis Standards of Care if the healthcare system becomes overwhelmed over a broad geographic region and if resources cannot be obtained quickly enough to address the shortage. ?If the State of Idaho must activate the Crisis Standards of Care, you or someone you love may be turned away from the hospital or given a lower standard of care because we simply may not have enough beds, critical care doctors, nurses, and technicians to handle the number of COVID-19 patients in need of care. Hospitals are telling us the need to activate Crisis Standards of Care will arrive in Idaho if individual Idahoans do not make the choice to reverse the trend in our rising COVID-19 cases,? Governor Little said. The Governor provided specific examples of what Idahoans could expect under the activation of Crisis Standards of Care: * If your son or daughter gets in a car crash, a hospital bed may not be available, or your child will receive care in a repurposed conference room. * If your wife is diabetic and gets an infection, she may not get a hospital bed. * If your husband has a stroke or heart attack, it may take longer for paramedics to arrive. * Breathing machines and ICU beds may need to be directed to patients who are most likely to survive. Eighty percent of Idaho?s hospitals are not operating normally right now because healthcare workers are out sick with COVID-19 and too many very sick COVID-19 patients are coming through their doors. Governor Little outlined the steps his administration has taken to prepare hospitals: * In the spring, we worked to equip our hospitals, clinics, and first responders with the PPE and staff to handle the influx of patients. * We expanded access to medical professionals by lifting regulations at the state level and facilitating staffing contracts with federal sources. Through the state?s actions, out-of-state medical professionals and retired or inactive practitioners may treat patients in Idaho. Since March, we have licensed 1,100 new nurses to help in the fight and we have gotten nursing students to start work faster to help our hospitals. * Use of telehealth rose 40-fold after we rolled back dozens of regulations, and Governor Little signed an executive order making those changes permanent moving forward. * We allocated and distributed new and effective treatments for COVID patients. * We put more than $100 million to testing and contact tracing. We increased testing lab capacity and testing in schools and long-term care facilities. We enabled pharmacists to administer testing in our rural communities. * We designated six long-term care facilities as COVID-only facilities and put millions toward testing of facility workers in order to better protect residents. * We activated the National Guard to obtain staffing for Idaho?s hospitals. The guardsmen are deployed across the state to help with testing, decontamination and sanitization and planning. ?My administration will continue to do the job of ensuring hospitals are equipped with the resources they need to avoid Crisis Standards of Care. We will continue to improve access to testing. We will continue to move toward broadly available therapeutics and a vaccine. Those actions are the responsibility of government. But government alone is not going to solve our problem. The solution is each and every one of us and our personal actions. Our success or failure to protect our loved ones comes down to personal responsibility. Please make the right choices,? Governor Little said. Idaho will remain under the Governor?s Stage 2 statewide public health order. Under the order: * Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. This does not pertain to religious or political expression. Physical distancing is required. * At-risk Idahoans should self-isolate. * All Idahoans are encouraged to telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations. * Masks are required at long-term care facilities. * Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants continue to operate with seating only. ?I want to commend our hospitals across the state for working around the clock to share resources so we can avoid a devastating situation as much as possible. I also want to express my deep appreciation to our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who are overworked and pulling extra shifts to help in the fight. You are true heroes,? Governor Little said. # # # ? NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 45838 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Thu Dec 10 16:49:45 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:49:45 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little joins with Idaho GOP in supporting Texas lawsuit on election integrity Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6CEEA.85402150] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2020 Gov. Little joins with Idaho GOP in supporting Texas lawsuit on election integrity Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little announced today he proudly stands with the Idaho Republican Party in supporting Texas in its efforts to ensure American's elections meet the highest standards and expectations of the U.S. Constitution, and he will file an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit. "Idaho's elections are safe and secure, and we expect the same of other states. Protecting the sanctity of the voting process is paramount to ensuring a strong democratic process, and our citizens need the confidence that their vote counts,? Governor Little said. # # # ? NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 45838 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Dec 11 14:11:35 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2020 21:11:35 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little increases Idaho National Guard response to battle COVID-19 Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6CFC6.BF6E4F00] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2020 Gov. Little increases Idaho National Guard response to battle COVID-19 Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little authorized an increase in Idaho National Guard support from 100 to up to 250 personnel serving on active duty in an effort to enhance medical capacity and COVID-19 response throughout Idaho. The authorization comes nearly a month after his executive order mobilizing 100 personnel for 30 days, coinciding with the public health order rolling Idaho back to a modified Stage 2 of the Idaho Rebounds plan. The new authorization also allows Guard personnel to continue performing their mission through March of 2021. For nearly a month, Guard personnel have been assisting at facilities across the state, from multiple hospital and medical clinic locations to food banks and public health district facilities. Guard personnel are performing tasks that include COVID-19 testing and screening, patient data entry, traffic control, and facility decontamination and sanitization. ?As medical providers across the state continue to call on the Guard for assistance, this additional authorization enables our guardsmen to continue helping in the fight,? Governor Little said. ?With members of the Guard performing these missions, it frees up healthcare workers to focus on providing critical patient care. We are deeply grateful for their service.? # # # ? NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Callihan, Communications Director 208-854-3032 or Emily.Callihan at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 43502 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Dec 11 14:24:20 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2020 21:24:20 +0000 Subject: OPINION: The enemy is the virus, not each other Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2020 The enemy is the virus, not each other By Governor Brad Little The pandemic has presented great challenges for everyone across our state, country, and the world. One of the greatest challenges perhaps is this - choosing to show compassion and support when the instinct is to fight and attack others who think, feel, and act differently than we do. Communities, public officials, and even families are at odds in their views on COVID-19 and the response to it. Never have we seen this level of divisiveness. And there certainly is a lot of blame being thrown around. Everyone questions who is responsible for protecting ourselves, our loved ones, the economy, healthcare access, and our kids' ability to learn in their classrooms. The answer is all of us. We are all responsible, each in our own way, for doing our part to get us through this dark and difficult time. The public health district boards, who are the default decision makers for public health under Idaho law, have made tough decisions to protect their communities. Mayors, county officials, and school board members, too, have stepped up. These courageous leaders have always had and will continue to have my support. At the state level, we have equipped our hospitals with the resources they need to handle the impacts of COVID-19. We've also improved access to testing statewide and will continue to make therapeutics and a vaccine broadly available. We've taken numerous statewide actions over the past ten months to communicate the need to reduce transmission in our communities while protecting jobs and education. And in our individual lives, we must do all we can to stay vigilant and consistently practice simple measures, including wearing a mask, avoiding gatherings and crowds, and keeping physical distance from others. Government alone is not going to prevent a crisis in our healthcare system. It is up to each of us as individuals to make the right choices. There is an ugliness out there that we can overcome only by uniting around the true enemy - the virus, not each other. Let us not be trapped into thinking the problem is someone else. The solution is all of us. We all have a role to play in fighting the enemy virus. I know at times it can be hard to have compassion. But this Christmas season is a time to reflect on family, faith, and unity. Choose to support others while seeking to understand those who do not view things the way you do. We should not let the pandemic divide us, but make us stronger. # # # 416 words -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 10484 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Dec 16 08:57:44 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2020 15:57:44 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little issues proclamation for Health Care Worker Appreciation Month in Idaho Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6CFC6.BF6E4F00] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2020 Gov. Little issues proclamation for Health Care Worker Appreciation Month in Idaho Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little issued a proclamation today naming December Health Care Worker Appreciation Month in Idaho. ?I ask all Idahoans to share their gratitude for health care heroes in Idaho,? Governor Little said. ?We can show our gratitude by minimizing transmissible moments this holiday season. Wear a mask, avoid gatherings with people outside your household, continue to keep safe physical distance, and wash your hands regularly. As individuals, we must choose to do all we can to combat COVID-19 in order to relieve pressure on Idaho?s health care workers.? Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho?s health care workers have exemplified what it means to be heroic. Workers at Idaho?s hospital and long-term care facilities put the safety and wellbeing of the patients and residents in their charge ahead of their own health. Staff are also trying to meet social and emotional needs of patients because many families are still unable to visit their loved ones. Idahoans are encouraged to reach out to their local health care facility and ask how they can help during the crisis. Interested applicants can apply at https://idaho.carefortheaging.org/. The Idaho Health Care Association will then match you to a facility in need. # # # NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison, Press Secretary 208-943-1686 or Marissa.Morrison at gov.idaho.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 43502 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Mon Dec 21 09:59:28 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:59:28 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?Governor_Brad_Little=92s_calendar_for_the_week_of_Decemb?= =?Windows-1252?Q?er_21-25?= Message-ID: [cid:042d55d7-55e4-46d1-b226-e21466ff21f0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2020 Included below is information on some of the public events on Governor Brad Little?s calendar for the week of December 21-25. All times local. TUESDAY, December 22, 2020 Governor Little will host a statewide AARP telephone town hall to provide information and answer questions regarding COVID-19 in Idaho. The hour-long conversation begins at 12 p.m. Participants can join by dialing toll-free 866-767-0637 or register in advance by visiting https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/. # # # NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison Hyer, Press Secretary 208-943-1686 or Marissa.Morrison at gov.idaho.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Outlook-fwjyee1x.png Type: image/png Size: 83585 bytes Desc: Outlook-fwjyee1x.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Tue Dec 22 15:58:10 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2020 22:58:10 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little comments on passing of Dean Buffington Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6D87B.06480AD0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 22, 2020 Gov. Little comments on passing of Dean Buffington Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little expressed sadness today over the death of Dean Buffington, who passed away Monday night due to complications related to COVID-19. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend, Dean Buffington. He was a wonderful person, great philanthropist, and a genuine family man. Dean's extensive involvement in community organizations made him an admired figure across Idaho. Dean and I served on the Endowment Fund Investment Board together, and he graciously served as board chairman for 17 years. Under his guidance, the Endowment Fund grew immensely, something that will benefit Idaho's schoolchildren for years to come. Dean's legacy is marked by his generosity and strong character, and his contributions to our state made huge impacts that will last a long time. He will be greatly missed by so many Idahoans. Teresa and I send our love and prayers to Dean's family," Governor Little said. Buffington, from Nampa, had been a member of the Endowment Fund Investment Board since 2001 and chairman since 2003. He spent 22 years as a founding partner of Boise-based investment advisory firm Buffington Mohr McNeal. He also served as Executive Vice President of First Security Bank of Idaho and held positions with the American Bankers Association, Idaho Bankers Association, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, Associated Taxpayers of Idaho, and others. Buffington held bachelor's degrees from the College of Idaho and law degree from Willamette University. He also attended the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 43502 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Dec 30 10:35:13 2020 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:35:13 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little launches weekly press briefings on COVID-19 vaccine In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D6DE90.5DFDA850] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2020 Gov. Little launches weekly press briefings on COVID-19 vaccine Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today he is directing the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to carry out weekly virtual press briefings regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. "The availability of the safe COVID-19 vaccine is a lifeline in our pandemic fight, and I know there are a lot of questions about vaccine distribution. My administration is committed to transparency and getting out the best information on the vaccine as effectively as possible," Governor Little said. "We want to make the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine available to as many people as possible as quickly as possible," DHW Director Dave Jeppesen said. "The best way to ensure that is to make sure Idahoans have the most up-to-date information we can provide so they know what to expect and when." The first virtual COVID-19 vaccine press briefing will be Jan. 5. Media will be able to ask questions and the public can listen and view online. Details about the weekly press briefings, including time and participation details will be shared by DHW prior to each briefing. The Governor's administration created a clearinghouse of information about the vaccine at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/covid-19-vaccine/. # # # NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison Hyer, Press Secretary 208-943-1686 or marissa.morrison at gov.idaho.gov -- Sign up to receive news from Governor Little Reply to this e-mail to unsubscribe -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 47149 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: