From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Thu Feb 3 16:45:52 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2022 23:45:52 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?TW9vZHnigJlzIEludmVzdG9ycyBTZXJ2aWNlIHVwZ3JhZGVzIElkYWhvIHRv?= =?utf-8?Q?_AAA_rating?= Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2022 Moody?s Investors Service upgrades Idaho to AAA rating Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little commented on the announcement today from Moody?s Investor Service, the premier ratings agency, that it upgraded Idaho from the AA1 issuer rating to the AAA issuer rating. Last fall, Fitch Ratings also upgraded Idaho?s credit rating to AAA, the highest level. Only a handful of states achieve the AAA credit rating annually. ?Thanks to our diligent and unrelenting focus on reining in state spending and saving healthy amounts for rainy days, Idaho has received the coveted AAA rating from Moody?s for the first time, and I am very proud. Last fall, Fitch Ratings upgraded Idaho to the AAA rating as well. ?When I took office as Idaho?s 33rd Governor three years ago, one of my biggest priorities and one of our most important fiscal accomplishments would be to achieve the AAA rating, a step that would save Idaho taxpayers millions of dollars on future projects. ?This achievement may not grab headlines the way politically charged issues can, but let me tell you ? this will have an impact on your wallets. This is what good government is all about. I appreciate my partners in the Legislature for sharing my passion for maintaining a lean state budget and stable rainy-day funds. Our partners in the private sector, too, have done a tremendous job propelling Idaho?s economy forward,? Governor Little said. The Moody?s announcement noted, ?The upgrade to AAA reflects the state?s continued positive economic and demographic outlook and positive governance changes to increase reserves that offer increased protection against the state?s volatile economic and revenue structure.? The report also noted Idaho?s strengths in fostering a diversifying, growing economy and implementing sound financial management and conservative budgeting. # # # ? 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: 41261 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Feb 4 11:53:39 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2022 18:53:39 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?R292LiBMaXR0bGUgc2lnbnMgaGlzIOKAnExlYWRpbmcgSWRhaG/igJ0gaW5j?= =?utf-8?Q?ome_tax_relief_bill?= Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2022 Gov. Little signs his ?Leading Idaho? income tax relief bill Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little signed the first bill of the 2022 legislative session today ? his ?Leading Idaho? income tax cut bill that provides one-time and ongoing income tax relief to Idahoans. ?Never in my life did I think we would achieve the ?TRIFECTA? ? historic tax relief, historic education investments, and historic investments in transportation in one year. Some say, ?You can?t have your cake and eat it, too,? but clearly we are proving them wrong here in Idaho,? Governor Little said. ?Taxes should be fair, simple, competitive, and predictable, and the passage of my ?Leading Idaho? income tax relief bill is a step in that direction. We are making Idaho even more business friendly and competitive.? House Bill 436 provides $350 million of tax relief through a one-time tax rebate this spring and $251 million in ongoing tax relief beginning in July by lowering income tax brackets. ?The cooperation that exists between my office and my partners in the Legislature is very important to me, and it is part of the reason we are here today. I appreciate the Idaho Legislature for making tax relief a priority,? Governor Little said. Since Governor Little took office three years ago, we have cut nearly $1 billion in taxes, and in signing House Bill 436 today, Governor Little said we are on track to return more than $1 billion in income tax relief to Idaho taxpayers over the next five years. Governor Little said getting more money back into the pockets of Idahoans as soon as possible is especially important because Idahoans are facing the burden of surging inflation and federal debt. ?Our country reached a grim milestone this week ? the national debt, for the first time in history, exceeds $30 trillion. Meanwhile, here in Idaho, we have a record budget surplus of $1.9 billion, which represents a whopping 40-percent of our General Fund!? Governor Little said. Governor Little?s Leading Idaho plan also makes investments in education, transportation, water, broadband and many other areas to keep up with Idaho?s record growth and ensure continued prosperity for our state. # # # ? 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: 41261 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Tue Feb 8 09:02:11 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2022 16:02:11 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?R292LiBMaXR0bGUgc2lnbnMgaGlzIOKAnExlYWRpbmcgSWRhaG/igJ0gdGVh?= =?utf-8?Q?cher_health_insurance_bill_into_law?= Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2022 Gov. Little signs his ?Leading Idaho? teacher health insurance bill into law Boise, Idaho ? At a teacher appreciation rally at Melba Elementary School this morning, Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 443 into law, his ?Leading Idaho? teacher health insurance bill that seeks to extend better health insurance benefits to teachers across Idaho. ?This investment means Idaho?s teachers will be able to access better health benefits to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy. It means teachers will be able to keep more of what they earn,? Governor Little said. The bill creates a fund for school districts that voluntarily choose to join the state?s health plan, and it puts the state on a path to increase the state?s ongoing contribution for teacher health insurance premiums by approximately $4,000 per teacher, ensuring school districts have the resources necessary to expand family coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs for teachers. ?I want to thank my partners in the Legislature for passing this important bill. They acknowledge the important role teachers play in partnering with parents and families in the education of our children ? our future workforce,? Governor Little added. The bill was led by Representatives Rod Furniss and Wendy Horman and Senator Jim Woodward, and co-sponsored by more than 40 additional legislators. The bill received strong support from Idaho education stakeholders. Governor Little?s Leading Idaho plan also includes up to 10-percent pay increases for Idaho teachers and $1,000 bonuses. ?We cannot meet our commitment to students without supporting the people who teach them in the classroom. If you?re running a business, you know you can only attract and retain dedicated, quality workers by paying them competitively, offering good benefits, and making them feel valued. Our educator workforce is no different,? Governor Little said. Governor Little will participate in additional teacher appreciation rallies this week in Coeur d?Alene, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls. # # # ? 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: 41261 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Feb 9 13:24:14 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2022 20:24:14 +0000 Subject: NEW VIDEO: National debt hits $30 trillion for first time, but Idaho leads the way with fiscal responsibility Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2022 NEW VIDEO: National debt hits $30 trillion for first time, but Idaho leads the way with fiscal responsibility Boise, Idaho ? News hit this month that the national debt swelled to a historic $30 trillion while Idaho?s budget surplus has never been higher. In a new ?kitchen table? budget comparison between the State of Idaho budget and President Joe Biden?s national budget, Idahoans can easily see how the national debt is out of control and Idaho is the shining example of fiscal responsibility. A new video from the Governor?s Office features Kuna High School teacher Dr. Allison Touchstone, who teaches her students life skills. She outlines two ?family budgets? to show the differences between how Idaho and the federal government manage money. Watch the 2-minute video here: https://youtu.be/xuC7tGXOwfM ?In Idaho, we manage government the same way families manage a household budget. It is basic ?kitchen table economics.? It means facing tradeoffs head on, choosing to live within our means, saving for hard times, cutting waste, and stretching our dollars further. While D.C. is digging the country into a $30 trillion hole, Idaho has a record surplus of $1.9 billion and counting,? Governor Little said. Just last week, Governor Little signed his ?Leading Idaho? income tax relief bill, which puts Idaho on track to return more than $1 billion to Idahoans over the next few years. # # # ? 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: 41261 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Feb 11 14:06:46 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2022 21:06:46 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?OPINION:_Celebrating_teachers, _our_partners_in_the_educa?= =?Windows-1252?Q?tion_of_Idaho=92s_future?= Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2022 Celebrating teachers, our partners in the education of Idaho?s future By Governor Brad Little For generations, our family has run a ranching operation in Idaho. It is a rewarding but difficult business that requires dedicated and very hard-working employees. One thing I learned as a rancher and businessman that I apply to my job now as Governor is this ? you can only attract and retain committed, quality workers by paying them competitively, offering good benefits, and making them feel valued. It was true on the ranch, and it is true with any workforce, especially our teachers. I just wrapped up a week of teacher appreciation rallies across Idaho to share our gratitude for teachers and school staff, and to celebrate the passage of my ?Leading Idaho? teacher health insurance bill. The new law seeks to extend better health benefits to keep Idaho teachers and their families healthy and allow them to keep more of what they earn. When the people of Idaho elected me Governor over three years ago, I never imagined we would achieve what I call ?the trifecta.? This year, we already achieved record tax relief and we are on track to score record investments in education and transportation ? all in one year. Our success is astonishing! A big component of my Leading Idaho plan is to ensure we compensate and reward teachers for their hard work. My budget invests in these partners ? our teachers ? which ultimately serves Idaho families. My plan also seeks to give teachers up to a 10-percent pay increase along with $1,000 bonuses. Why? Because teachers get to work early, so they are prepared for a productive day of learning when their students walk through the classroom doors. Because teachers are adapting all day long, tailoring lesson content to a variety of learning styles so every student can walk away with a better foundation of knowledge and skills. Because teachers are meeting the daily challenges of helping one or two, perhaps more, students with individual behavioral needs. Because teachers step up to fill needed roles in coaching, leading student clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Because teachers spend their evenings and weekends grading schoolwork and replying to texts, phone calls, and e-mails from parents and students with special requests when they could spend that time with their own families. Because teachers are passionate about preparing students for eventual careers and creating an environment where students feel safe and supported. Most of all, because teachers partner with parents in the education of children, and we cannot meet our commitment to students without supporting the people who teach them in the classroom. I want to thank my partners in the Legislature for making teachers a priority. By passing the teacher health insurance bill last week, they acknowledge the important role teachers play in our state. So, teachers, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for everything you do for students and their families! # # # 473 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 Fri Feb 18 08:54:37 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:54:37 +0000 Subject: Little, Wasden call on Inslee to stop fuel tax on Idahoans Message-ID: [cid:image001.jpg at 01D824A4.E38636D0] OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BRAD LITTLE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL LAWRENCE WASDEN NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2022 Little, Wasden call on Inslee to stop fuel tax on Idahoans Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden sent a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee today calling on him to step in and stop Washington's dangerous proposals to increase the cost of fuel for Idahoans. Democrats in the Washington Legislature are pushing a package of bills that would tax fuel shipped from Washington to Idaho and other western states. The full text of Governor Little and Attorney General Wasden's letter to Governor Inslee follows: Dear Governor Inslee, Recent proposals advanced by Washington legislators would increase the cost of fuel for the people of Idaho and throughout the West by 6-cents a gallon. The Washington Legislature is venturing into new, uncertain territory that would trigger price increases that disproportionately hurt the citizens of Idaho, your neighbors. During a time when inflation is soaring at historic levels, we ask you to step in and do what you can to stop these harmful proposals. If these proposals reach your desk, we ask you to veto them. Now is not the time for our states to turn on each other with excise tax proposals that dampen our economy and increase costs for everyone. All Americans should be able to access reliable, affordable fuel to help grow our shared economy. Any increase in energy costs or gas prices will damage both our states. We welcome a meeting at your earliest convenience so we can have a frank discussion on the impacts of this dangerous legislation. Sincerely, BRAD LITTLE Governor State of Idaho LAWRENCE G. WASDEN Attorney General State of Idaho # # # MEDIA CONTACTS: Scott Graf, Office of the Attorney General, 208-334-4112 or Scott.Graf at ag.idaho.gov Marissa Morrison Hyer, Office of the Governor, 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.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 9695 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Fri Feb 18 14:05:03 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 21:05:03 +0000 Subject: =?utf-8?B?R292LiBMaXR0bGUgc2lnbnMg4oCcTGVhZGluZyBJZGFob+KAnSBidXNpbmVz?= =?utf-8?Q?s_tax_cut_bill?= Message-ID: [Graphical user interface, text Description automatically generated] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2022 Gov. Little signs ?Leading Idaho? business tax cut bill Fruitland, Idaho ? At Henggeler Packing Company in Fruitland today and accompanied by members of the Idaho Legislature, Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 450 into law, providing an estimated $64 million in unemployment insurance tax cuts for Idaho businesses over the next two years. ?Businesses of all sizes, especially our small businesses, are the backbone of our way of life. I am so pleased that Idaho businesses will be able to keep more of what they earn with the passage of our ?Leading Idaho? business tax cut bill!? Governor Little said. In 2020, Idaho strengthened its unemployment insurance trust fund, making it one of the most solvent funds in the country. Doing so led to a $200 million tax cut for Idaho businesses. With Governor Little?s signature of House Bill 450 today, the lower rates are locked in for the next two years. ?Idaho has the strongest economy in the nation, and we consistently lead other states in our low unemployment rate. Our success is largely thanks to our businesses, and this bill helps them continue creating good Idaho jobs,? Governor Little said. Governor Little outlined portions of his ?Leading Idaho? plan during his State of the State and Budget Address on Jan. 10. Leading Idaho is Governor Little?s plan to give back to the people of Idaho through record tax relief and record investments in education, transportation, and other key areas that impact Idahoans? daily lives. ?My close partnership with the Idaho Legislature is very important to me, and always has been. We cannot achieve good things for the people we serve if we do not work effectively with one another. So, thank you to my legislative partners for working with me to implement ?Leading Idaho? so we can propel our state even further forward. I especially appreciate Representative Scott Syme and Senator Jim Guthrie for sponsoring House Bill 450,? Governor Little said. # # # ? 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: 41261 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: