From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Jul 6 16:54:52 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2022 22:54:52 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little announces staff changes Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89159.1B868FF0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 6, 2022 Gov. Little announces staff changes Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today two changes to his senior staff and the recent addition of a new press secretary. Jamie Neill started Monday as the Governor's new Policy Director. Neill will lead a team of policy advisors to advance the Governor's priorities for Idaho. Neill had been the Director of Government Affairs for the Idaho Medical Association since 2020 after working nine years on Capitol Hill for Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Congressman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.). Sara Stover has been promoted to Director of Cabinet Affairs and will work closely with state agency directors to align agency operations with the Governor's priorities. Stover will continue to serve as the Governor's senior policy advisor for healthcare, a role she has held since 2019. She has worked for the executive branch since 2001, previously working at the Governor's Division of Financial Management under Governors Butch Otter, Jim Risch, and Dirk Kempthorne. She also served as a policy aide to Governors Risch and Kempthorne. Madison Hardy started in May as the Governor's new press secretary. Hardy had been a reporter with KIVI-TV in Boise and the Coeur d'Alene Press, and she completed a legislative internship for the McClure Center for Public Policy Research through the School of Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Idaho. "All members of my team share my goal of making Idaho the place where our children and grandchildren choose to stay. They embrace a spirit of public service, and I have the utmost confidence they will continue to work hard for the people of Idaho," Governor Little said. # # # 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: 87255 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Tue Jul 12 15:41:39 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:41:39 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little comments on new Biden dam removal reports Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89605.DF2BEB70] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2022 Gov. Little comments on new Biden dam removal reports Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little issued the following statement today after the Biden administration released new reports calling for the removal of dams on the Lower Snake River. "I have been clear in my opposition to dam breaching because it is not a silver bullet for salmon recovery. Idaho has shown leadership and commitment to bringing together diverse interests to ensure abundant, sustainable populations of salmon and steelhead for present and future generations. "It is disappointing the Biden administration would release any report on dam breaching that does not take into account Idaho's considerations in the Columbia Bason. If Biden is truly interested in identifying broadly supported solutions, I would encourage his administration to look at the 20 months of work our diverse Idaho Salmon Workgroup put into identifying 29 solutions that support salmon, our economy, and thriving communities. "Instead of evaluating the removal of clean, renewable carbon-free hydropower from our energy portfolio, Biden should focus on helping American families grappling with crushing gas prices and inflation." # # # 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: 87255 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Tue Jul 12 15:49:40 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:49:40 +0000 Subject: UPDATED - Gov. Little comments on new Biden dam removal reports Message-ID: Corrects misspelling in quote. [cid:image001.png at 01D89605.DF2BEB70] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 12, 2022 Gov. Little comments on new Biden dam removal reports Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little issued the following statement today after the Biden administration released new reports calling for the removal of dams on the Lower Snake River. "I have been clear in my opposition to dam breaching because it is not a silver bullet for salmon recovery. Idaho has shown leadership and commitment to bringing together diverse interests to ensure abundant, sustainable populations of salmon and steelhead for present and future generations. "It is disappointing the Biden administration would release any report on dam breaching that does not take into account Idaho's considerations in the Columbia Basin. If Biden is truly interested in identifying broadly supported solutions, I would encourage his administration to look at the 20 months of work our diverse Idaho Salmon Workgroup put into identifying 29 solutions that support salmon, our economy, and thriving communities. "Instead of evaluating the removal of clean, renewable carbon-free hydropower from our energy portfolio, Biden should focus on helping American families grappling with crushing gas prices and inflation." # # # 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: 87255 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Wed Jul 13 12:27:57 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:27:57 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?Bidenflation_reaches_new_historic_mark_=96_highest_in_mo?= =?Windows-1252?Q?re_than_40_years?= Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D896B3.FA9AF000] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2022 Bidenflation reaches new historic mark ? highest in more than 40 years Boise, Idaho ? Governor Brad Little commented today on inflation reaching a new historic high under President Joe Biden?s watch, and he said more tax relief is on the way as Idahoans continue to receive immediate tax rebates to offset the burden of Bidenflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released new inflation data today for the month of June revealing consumer prices increased yet again with an inflation rate that rose to 9.1-percent. This 1.3-percent increase is up 0.3-percent from last month, marking the highest annual inflation since 1981. The burden on consumers across every sector of the economy continued for another month, with: * The gasoline index, up 59.9-percent * The food index, up 10.4-percent * The energy index, up 41.6-percent * Used cars and trucks, up 7.1-percent * Utility (piped) gas, up 38.4-percent. CPI increased 1.-percent% on a monthly basis (May 2022 to June 2022), which is higher than last month which was up 1.0-percent for all items, reflecting: * The food index increased 1.0-percent * The energy index increased 7.5-percent * The gasoline index increased 11.2-percent ?In Idaho, we saw the mounting potential for a recession months ago and took action early on to provide working Idaho families immediate and ongoing tax relief to help. Idaho families right now are receiving historic tax rebates and will see lower state income taxes in the years ahead. ?Since I took office close to four years ago, Idahoans have benefited from $1 billion in tax relief, and the Idaho Legislature and I worked together this year to pass an additional $1.5 billion in tax relief measures going forward as part of my ?Leading Idaho? plan. ?And, with another year of budget surplus before us, Idahoans can expect we will turn back even more of their hard-earned money to help offset the burden of Bidenflation. ?In Idaho, our government lives within its means, we prudently save for rainy days, we turn money back to the taxpayers, and we keep taxes and regulations low. This is why Idaho?s economy continues to surge ahead, and it is the reason we top the charts for economic growth and employment. While other states are forced to consider tax increases to keep their budgets in the black, Idaho is focused on cutting taxes to ensure an environment where employers can thrive and Idahoans and keep more of what they earn, all while investing where it counts so we can keep up with growth,? Governor Little said. Idaho has deployed close to 652,000 income tax rebates to households so far this year, totaling more than $225 million. The Legislature approved $350 million in immediate tax rebates this year as part of Governor Little?s "Leading Idaho" plan, so thousands more households will receive their checks before the end of 2022. # # # 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: 87255 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov Tue Jul 19 12:36:20 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2022 18:36:20 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little announces appointments to Fish and Game Commission, Minidoka County Commission Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89B6C.24DEBCE0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2022 Gov. Little announces appointments to Fish and Game Commission, Minidoka County Commission Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today the reappointment of Timothy Murphy and the appointment of Jordan Cheirrett to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Murphy is the current Fish and Game Region 3 commissioner, representing Idahoans in the Southwest region. A McCall resident, Murphy also recently served as chairman of the commission. Murphy has a long history of public service, including serving as the former director of the Bureau of Land Management Idaho State Office and Director of Fire and Aviation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. He also chaired and was a board member of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission and for the Partners Advisory Council to the University of Idaho Rangeland Center. Murphy was also vice president of the Idaho Environmental Forum. Cheirrett, a life-long sportsman and Idaho native, will replace Region 5 Commissioner Lane Clezie, who is retiring. He is a small business owner and Lava Hot Springs resident. Idaho law requires no more than four commissioners on the seven-member commission to be affiliated with any one political party. Clezie is a registered Republican, as is Cheirrett. Murphy is unaffiliated. Both commissioners will serve in the appointed position until July 2026. Governor Little also announced the appointment of Jared Orton as Minidoka County Commissioner. Orton will replace current District 3 Commissioner Sheryl Koyle, who is retiring. Orton, a Heyburn resident and vice chairman of the Minidoka County Planning and Zoning Commission, recently won the May 2022 Republican primary election. He was set to run unopposed in the November election. # # # # # # 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 Thu Jul 21 13:24:38 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:24:38 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little directs $1 million to fight fentanyl now Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89D05.39108190] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2022 Gov. Little directs $1 million to fight fentanyl now Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today Idaho will put up to $1 million toward efforts to confront the growing threat of fentanyl in our state. "A trace of fentanyl the size of a grain of salt is enough to kill you, and many times it is laced into other pills or drugs - even black-market vape cartridges - and you won't even know it. Meth and fentanyl seizures have dramatically increased in Idaho and across the country. We must act now. Given the magnitude of the problem, we are acting immediately to turn the tide and protect Idaho families," Governor Little said. The funds will be used in the coming weeks for two purposes - to purchase additional roadside testing equipment and triple our current ability to get fentanyl off our streets more quickly, and to start a new large-scale paid media campaign to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl. The campaign will be coordinated by the Idaho State Police in cooperation with the Governor's Office of Drug Policy. Governor Little launched "Operation Esto Perpetua" earlier this year - a new strategy to do more to protect our communities against the growing drug threat. Operation Esto Perpetua is bringing together law enforcement, families, and others in new ways to meaningfully reduce the flow of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the State of Idaho. Additional information on Operation Esto Perpetua can be found at https://gov.idaho.gov/operation-esto-perpetua/. The Idaho State Police also has deployed $250,000 approved by the Legislature this year as part of the Governor's "Leading Idaho" plan for Operation Esto Perpetua. The funds are being used to hire more investigators and increase patrol hours for drug interdiction. Gov. Little also shared a new observational report today from the Citizens Action Group on Fentanyl he assembled in the spring. The group spent two months traveling the state holding public meetings to listen to Idahoans about the impact of fentanyl on our communities. The observational report from the Citizens Action Group on Fentanyl can be found here. It highlighted potential solutions, including: * The need to significantly boost awareness and education around the dangers of fentanyl * The need to continue to push for border security and minimize the flow of illicit drugs into our country and state * The need to better integrate information sharing between law enforcement, first responders, health care, tribes, coroners, and others to tackle the problem strategically * The need to continue increasing resources for mental health and behavioral health The observational report is being handed over to the Governor's Law Enforcement Panel. The panel will closely examine the report and come up with concrete recommendations for Governor Little to include in his budget and priorities, which he will roll out in his 2023 State of the State and Budget Address in January. "I appreciate the members of my Operation Esto Perpetua initiative - both the Citizens Action Group on Fentanyl and the Law Enforcement Panel - for serving our people and coming up with solutions to help us fight the growing drug threat in Idaho," Governor Little added. # # # 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 Jul 22 07:21:36 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2022 13:21:36 +0000 Subject: =?Windows-1252?Q?=93Leading_Idaho=94_investments_in_local_bridges, _child_?= =?Windows-1252?Q?pedestrian_crossings_move_forward?= Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89D9B.ABF19E60] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2022 ?Leading Idaho? investments in local bridges, child pedestrian crossings move forward Boise, Idaho ? Improvements to local bridges as well as child pedestrian paths will be coming to communities across Idaho after the state finalized and approved prioritizations for two parts of Governor Brad Little?s ?Leading Idaho? plan this week. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) and the Idaho Transportation Board approved the rankings this week for Leading Idaho local bridge funding as well as child pedestrian crossing funding. ?The local bridge and child pedestrian crossing investments help us keep up with growth and improve the economy and Idahoans? safety and quality of life. They also potentially could keep your property taxes low. As local governments develop their budgets this summer and fall, they may not have to call on local property taxpayers to fill these important needs because state support helps offset the burden,? Governor Little said. Governor Little and the Legislature approved up to $200 million in surplus FY22 funds for the Leading Idaho local bridge program. It was part of a historic transportation investment package that did not require any increase in taxes or fees. The funds will be used to clear approximately one-third of the backlog of local bridges that are in poor condition or are load restricted. The state?s goal is to have all projects awarded with this funding complete or in construction within the next three years, with construction on some bridges starting this year. The bridge improvements target important crossings used to access farmland, natural resources, or recreational areas ? often with no reasonable alternative route or detour. At the beginning of the year, 428 local bridges were identified as being in poor condition or posted for load restrictions. The LHTAC anticipates more structures to reach this condition in the coming years. Nearly 40-percent of local Idaho bridges are more than 50 years old, the designed life span for most bridges. View the list of approved Leading Idaho local bridge program rankings here. LHTAC anticipates that available funding will cover the top 130 to 140 ranked bridges. In addition, LHTAC and Idaho Transportation Board approved rankings for projects that improve pedestrian crossings used by children, such as school crossings or safe routes to schools. The Idaho Legislature approved an additional $10 million in one-time surplus FY22 funds for the crossings as part of the Governor?s Leading Idaho plan. The funding will support 45 projects across the state. Most will receive the full amount available ($250,000 per application). View the list of approved Child Pedestrian Safety Application rankings here. # # # 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 Jul 22 08:44:34 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:44:34 +0000 Subject: Idaho closes out fiscal year with $1.4 billion surplus, more tax cuts and investments on the way Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89DA7.42A098B0] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2022 Idaho closes out fiscal year with $1.4 billion surplus, more tax cuts and investments on the way Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little announced today Idahoans can expect more tax cuts and additional investments with the state's $1.4 billion budget surplus. "Idaho's economy is red-hot because of the resiliency of our citizens and businesses. Combined with years of fiscal conservativism, reining in state spending, and our status as the least regulated state in the country, we will be able to provide Idahoans even more tax relief and make key investments where they count," Governor Little said. "As Idahoans grapple with ever-increasing prices for gas, food, energy, and everything in between under Biden's watch, in Idaho we are leading the way and showing the rest of the country how to create prosperity for our people." Idaho closed the books on the fiscal year 2022 on July 1, and the July revenue figures mean the unobligated ending balance will be $1,381,211,927. Overall, for the fiscal year, revenue grew 23.7-percent. The July 2022 revenue report can be found on the Governor's budget web site here. Since Governor Little took office in 2019, the State of Idaho has experienced eight years-worth of revenue growth in just three years. Idaho is the middle of deploying record tax relief. More than 650,000 Idaho households have received $227.5 million in immediate tax relief this year. The average rebate is $348 per household. The Legislature approved $350 million in immediate tax rebates this year as part of Governor Little's "Leading Idaho" plan, so thousands more households will receive their checks before the end of 2022. Idahoans have benefited from $1 billion in tax relief since Gov. Little took office, and another $1.5 billion will be sent back to the taxpayers over the next few years as part of Gov. Little's Leading Idaho plan. Governor Little said education investments will continue to top the list of his legislative and budget priorities moving forward. "This year, we made the single largest investment in public schools in state history. The strength of Idaho's economy and the sound management of state government mean we will continue to be able to invest record amounts into schools, roads, water, and other key areas to keep up with growth and improve the lives of the people we serve," Governor Little added. # # # 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 Jul 22 16:18:20 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2022 22:18:20 +0000 Subject: Gov. Little orders flags to fly half-staff for two fallen firefighters Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89DE6.A67F9E50] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2022 Gov. Little orders flags to fly half-staff for two fallen firefighters Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little has ordered U.S. and State of Idaho flags in Idaho to be flown at half-staff in honor of two pilots killed in a helicopter crash while responding to the Moose Fire burning near Salmon in Lemhi County. In addition, Governor Little issued the following statement: "Our hearts our heavy with the news that we lost two firefighters, Thomas 'Tommy' Hayes of Post Falls and Jared Bird of Anchorage, Alaska, in the line of duty on the Moose Fire burning near Salmon. The men were experienced pilots, and both served our country in the armed forces. Our brave firefighters face extremely challenging conditions head on to protect lives, property, and the land. Idahoans are praying for the loved ones and colleagues of these firefighters as we grieve this tremendous loss. This tragedy will be deeply felt by the families and by the wildland firefighting community," Governor Little said. Governor Little ordered U.S. and State of Idaho flags to fly half-staff immediately until the day following the final memorial service. An additional announcement will be released from the Governor's Office when the day of the final memorial service is known. The flags flown over the Capitol building in honor of the deceased will be presented to the families. The full text of the Governor's flag directive follows: Please be advised that flags should be lowered to half-staff immediately starting Thursday, July 22, 2022, at the state Capitol building and at other state and local government buildings, for the tragic loss of two firefighter pilots, Thomas Hayes and Jared Bird, who lost their lives responding to the Moose Fire in Lemhi County. The flags will be at half-staff immediately Thursday, July 22, 2022, until the day following the final memorial service, per Idaho Code 67-820. The Governor's Office will send out an additional notification and update the web site at https://gov.idaho.gov/flag-status/ when the date of the final memorial service is identified. To sign up to receive all the President's and Governor's flag directives, click here. # # # 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 Thu Jul 28 16:17:52 2022 From: id_gov_news at gov.idaho.gov (Gov. Brad Little) Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 22:17:52 +0000 Subject: National GDP falls again, Idaho offers example of real solutions Message-ID: [cid:image001.png at 01D89DE6.A67F9E50] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2022 National GDP falls again, Idaho offers example of real solutions Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little commented today after the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released data Thursday revealing the country's Gross Domestic Product decreased again in the second quarter of 2022 at the annual rate of 0.9-percent. "Every Idahoan is feeling the pressure of record-high inflation under President Biden's watch. The 'solutions' offered by the Biden Administration aren't solutions at all - just more taxing and spending while the country drives toward a $30 trillion cliff. "By contrast, in conservative states like Idaho, people are working and our economy is soaring. Our budget is not only balanced but we have a budget surplus, and Idahoans can expect even more tax relief as we continue to make unprecedented investments in schools, roads, water and other areas. "Washington, D.C., should follow Idaho's example and apply tried and true conservative principles to get the national economy and consumer confidence turned around - rein in government spending, cut red tape, give taxpayer money back to the people, and make investments where they count," Governor Little said. # # # 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: