From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Dec 14 17:36:06 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:36:06 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little fights communist China security threat with new ban on TikTok Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 14, 2022 Gov. Little fights communist China security threat with new ban on TikTok Boise, Idaho - Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order today banning TikTok on state-issued devices and networks to protect Idahoans from security threats posed by the communist Chinese government. "The communist Chinese government can use TikTok to collect critical information from our state and federal government, and we are taking this step to protect Idahoans and Americans from the sinister motives of a foreign government that does not share our values and seeks to weaken and manipulate our country," Governor Little said. "This new ban to eliminate TikTok from state-issued devices and networks will help protect national security and Idahoans' data." The FBI recently warned about the national security threat presented by the Chinese government, which can control TikTok's central algorithm allowing access to state and federal operations in the United States for espionage purposes. The U.S. government already has prohibited the use of TikTok on devices issued by the federal government. The Governor's executive order prohibits downloading the TikTok app or otherwise accessing the TikTok website on state issued devices, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, or any other device that connects to the internet. The Idaho Office of Information Technology Services will block TikTok from being accessed on state devices and state networks. Gov. Little's action puts Idaho in line with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and a number of other states across the nation that have taken action to protect citizen data from communist China threats. "I also urge Congress to take action to protect Americans. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi have had complete control of Congress for two years and haven't passed anything to address this national security threat," Gov. Little added. Gov. Little has made Idahoans' security a top priority and has been working to implement recommendations from his Cybersecurity Task Force to make our citizens, businesses, and government more resilient to cyber-attacks. # # # Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor's press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail Madison.Hardy at gov.idaho.gov. To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to news 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: 98275 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Dec 16 14:01:52 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2022 21:01:52 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?Governor=92s_trade_mission_opens_doors_to_trade_opportun?= =?Windows-1252?Q?ities_for_Idaho_businesses?= Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D91156.F23E5050] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2022 Governor?s trade mission opens doors to trade opportunities for Idaho businesses Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little returned this past weekend from a nine-day trade mission to Taiwan and Singapore. The trip was his second official trade mission as Idaho?s 33rd Governor. Taiwan is Idaho?s second largest export destination. In 2021, companies there bought more than $470 million in Idaho products. Singapore is Idaho?s fourth-largest export market overall, accounting for more than $217 million in exports. ?Our meetings with overseas businesses and government officials helped strengthen Idaho?s decades-old partnership and friendship with Taiwan and opened doors for new trade and investment opportunities in both markets to continue to enhance Idaho?s economic prosperity,? Governor Little said. Quotes from trade mission participants: "INL appreciates Governor Little's interest and dedication to Idaho's industry and its potential foreign markets. It was an honor to be part of this trade mission and learn about the global interest in the technologies being developed at Idaho National Laboratory. INL looks forward to engaging with partners in Asia in our efforts to develop low carbon energy sources.? ? Marsha McDaniel, Idaho National Laboratory ?For the Idaho Potato Commission, the trade mission was a resounding success. Our customers deeply appreciated the Valued Partner Awards and interacting with the Governor and the Department of Agriculture staff. The Governor went out of his way to meet with several of our current and potential customers. Governor Little and his staff definitely added value to our sales presentations. New and emerging markets like these are key for the Idaho potato industry?s long-term future and the success of our growers.? - Jamey Higham, Idaho Potato Commission ?It was a privilege to join Governor and First Lady Little in Taiwan and Singapore on behalf of Idaho wheat farmers. Missions like this one help strengthen relationships with overseas buyers, secure market access, and ensure continued exports for Idaho producers. It was a pleasure to have reciprocal visits with the Taiwan Flour Mills Association, Lin Hwa, Wilmar, Prima, Interflour, and other companies who have come to Idaho with trade teams. Having the Governor join us for some of our meetings provided elevated access to our customers in Taiwan and Singapore.? ? Cory Kress, Idaho Wheat Commission ?Exports are critically important to Idaho dairy farmers. Having the support of the Governor, his staff and his Cabinet to increase dairy sales around the world is a privilege for our industry.? ? John Brubaker, Dairy West ?It was Koenig Vineyards and Distillery?s honor to be a part of the recent Governor?s Trade Mission to Taiwan. The Departments of Agriculture and Commerce do an amazing job with organizing these special international opportunities that small companies like ours would not otherwise have access or the resources to reach and expand new markets. With the assistance of the Governor and the two departments, Koenig has benefited from over 10 years of exporting products to Taiwan.? - Kristen Koenig ?I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of energy the State of Idaho and the Department of Commerce put into helping Idaho business export. The companies they vetted as potential clients were spot on,? - Paul Stanger, Plant Therapy Trip Highlights in Taiwan * Governor Little made introductions for new suppliers and strengthened relationships with existing partners such as Mayfull Foods, a major customer that imports millions of dollars annually of Idaho food and agriculture products. * In a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Governor Little encouraged the exchange of engineers to support Micron?s growth in Idaho and globally in addition to the strong trade relationship involving Idaho agricultural products. President Tsai also thanked the Idaho Legislature for passing resolutions in support of Taiwan for three consecutive years. * Governor Little attended an Idaho food event promoting Idaho products to over 45 chefs and hotels in Taichung. * The Taiwan Flour Mills Association hosted Governor Little and members of the Idaho delegation to discuss wheat exports. Taiwan receives 80-percent of its wheat from the United States. * The New Product Development Lab/TechHelp signed an MOU with the Taiwan USA Industrial Cooperation Promotion Office, establishing a strong and reliable platform for industrial and supply chain cooperation for development, commercialization, and manufacturing of innovative products. Trip Highlights in Singapore * Governor Little met with Singapore Chief of Air Force, Major-General Khong along with senior leadership to strengthen relationships for Mountain Home Air Force Base where Singapore Air Force pilots are trained. * Governor Little and delegation members met with the CEO of Wilmar International to promote Idaho wheat to the largest flour miller in Southeast Asia with 39 flour mills and over 1,000 manufacturing facilities. * The Governor promoted fresh Idaho potatoes to NTUC Fair Price, the largest retailer in Singapore. * At the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and the Environment, the Governor connected the organization with the Idaho National Laboratory and facilitated discussions regarding collaboration in energy and environmental sustainability. * In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong, the Governor encouraged continuing and expanding partnerships with Idaho agricultural products. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked Governor Little and Mountain Home Air Force Base for hosting Singapore Airforce pilots who have been training in Idaho for over a decade. The following 20 businesses and organizations joined Governor Little, the Idaho Department of Commerce, and Idaho State Department of Agriculture in Taiwan and Singapore: * Agri Beef Co. * Agropur * AMET, inc. * Black Sage Technologies * Commercial Creamery Company * Dairy West * Darigold * Glanbia Nutritionals * High Desert Milk * Idaho National Laboratory * Idaho Potato Commission * Idaho Wheat Commission * Koenig Vineyards and Distillery * Micron Technology * New Product Development/TechHelp * Plant Therapy * Recall InfoLink, Inc. * Symms Fruit Ranch * University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences * Wilcox Fresh # # # Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor?s press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail Madison.Hardy at gov.idaho.gov. To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to news 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: 44819 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Dec 28 19:43:51 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2022 02:43:51 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little weighs in on SCOTUS decision to uphold Title 42 border policy Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 28, 2022 Gov. Little weighs in on SCOTUS decision to uphold Title 42 border policy Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little released the following statement today after an announcement Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court decided to keep Title 42, a key policy to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, in effect temporarily. "Fentanyl is the deadliest drug our communities have ever faced, and it is pouring into our country across a border that remains open under the current administration. The high court's decision to keep in place the Trump-era Title 42 policy for now is welcome news. "Immigration and border security are one of the core responsibilities of our federal government, but states are stepping up with solutions in the absence of any federal action or even any recognition from the Biden administration that this huge problem is threatening the health and safety of Americans. I visited the border last year with my fellow Governors and we offered 10 concrete policy solutions to secure our border and protect Americans, including leaving Title 42 in place. All our solutions were either ignored or rejected by the current administration and Congress. "I will continue to proudly lead our state's efforts around border security in order to protect Idaho families and communities." In September of 2021, Governor Brad Little and half of the nation's governors issued a joint letter to President Joe Biden requesting a meeting within 15 days to discuss the crisis at the southern border. The governors' plea for the President to listen to them had followed another request sent by the Governors earlier that year, which also went unanswered. Following the 15-day period with no response from the Biden administration, the governors released 10 policy solutions the administration could enact immediately to protect America, restore security, and put us on a path to end the crisis at the southern border. The administration never responded, and the border crisis has only become more deadly and dangerous for both Americans and migrants in the time that has passed. Governor Little sent a team of specialized state troopers to Arizona in 2021 to assist with drug interdiction, and he joined half the nations' governors in creating the American Governors' Border Strike Force. He and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden also joined a lawsuit challenging Biden's Title 42 border decision. Governor Little also hosted a roundtable with Idaho law enforcement in 2021 to discuss Idaho's growing drug threat and the connection to the U.S.-Mexico border, and created Operation Esto Perpetua in March to protect our children from drugs. He recommended and the Legislature approved $250,000 to carry out objectives of the initiative. He directed another $1 million this summer to fight the deadly impacts of fentanyl. # # # Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor's press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail Madison.Hardy at gov.idaho.gov. To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to news 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: 44819 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Thu Dec 29 14:09:24 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2022 21:09:24 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little appoints Ed Schriever to Northwest Power and Conservation Council Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 29, 2022 Gov. Little appoints Ed Schriever to Northwest Power and Conservation Council Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today his appointment of recently retired Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever as the Idaho representative to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC). Schriever replaces Jim Yost, who is retiring after serving as Idaho's delegate to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NWPCC) since 2007. "I want to thank Jim for his service to the State of Idaho and our natural resources sector for more than 50 years," Governor Little said. "His deep knowledge of our water, agriculture, and wildlife made him an asset to Idaho. Jim is a very good friend, and I wish him well in his retirement. I am also confident in Ed's ability to represent Idaho on the council, and I am thankful to him for his service at Idaho Fish and Game." Established through the 1980 Northwest Power Act, the NWPCC is an interstate agency consisting of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington tasked with developing a regional power plan that supports the Northwest's long-term energy and environmental needs. By working with the public and stakeholders, NWPCC members develop a regional power plan to ensure a continued supply of reliable and affordable energy while protecting fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin. The Bonneville Power Administration and other federal agencies currently utilize plans and programs developed by the NWPCC. Schriever has more than four decades of experience in wildlife management. He recently concluded a 39-year career with Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), where he held eight positions, including serving as director since 2019. Schriever received his bachelor's degree in fisheries science from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. "My 15 years of executive leadership in natural resource management have prepared me to represent Idaho on the council very well," Schriever said. "Jim Yost has been an excellent delegate for Idaho, and I have appreciated our partnership as IDFG is charged with implementing much of the council's fish and wildlife program here in Idaho. I am very humbled that Governor Little has asked me to continue my public service by serving Idaho on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. This is an important and interesting position that influences decisions important to Idaho." # # # Please DO NOT REPLY to this message. For press inquiries only, contact the Governor's press office at (208) 854-3015 or e-mail Madison.Hardy at gov.idaho.gov. To unsubscribe from these announcements, send an e-mail to news at gov.idaho.gov. Madison Hardy Press Secretary | Idaho Governor Brad Little Phone: 208-854-3015 Mobile: 208-547-7485 Email: Madison.Hardy at gov.idaho.gov Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Sign up to receive news from Governor Little -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 98275 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: