Gov. Little touts legislative victories, highlights water and education
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IDAHO FALLS — After announcing his Keeping Promises plan earlier this year, Gov. Brad Little touted what he said was a successful legislative season in meeting his agenda to promote education, farmers and families at a news conference Thursday at the Upper Snake Regional Office in Idaho Falls.
Little’s statements revolved around water and education.
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Education
“Education has been my top priority since day one, strong public school support for families and communities,” Little said. “It’s both our constitutional and our moral obligation to the next generation that we increase funding, and more importantly, have better outcomes in our public schools.”
Little said rural schools would see a boost in funding, from $25.5 million to $50.5 million as part of House Bill 338.
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Other investments made this year included an increase in teacher pay by $85 million, and improvements in literacy statewide, with $78 million being paid annually.
Regarding concerns over who the state will oversee private education, Little answered that the state will monitor it.
“We negotiated with sponsors to have more people at the tax commission to make sure that those monies were spent effectively,” Little said.
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Little said the state will monitor students whose parents put them in private school to ensure they receive a quality education, as the state did with charter schools.
He also addressed cuts within the federal government, such as President Trump’s plan to close the Department of Education.
He said state officials have to wait and see how that plays out.
If the department does close, Little said the state will need to monitor tests, like the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and see where Idaho can get funding to ensure Idaho students are meeting their educational goals.
Water
Just a little over a year ago, eastern Idaho experienced water curtailments that nearly shut down the state’s agriculture industry.
Little said during his discussion that since then, new mitigation plans have been made and funding has been invested in recharge projects along the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.
“After a tough year of negotiations, we owed it to our farmers and communities to follow through on commitments to ensure the updated mitigation plan is successful,” Little said.
He said the state’s reservoirs are full to support this year’s growing season.
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Looking at other states that are experiencing water shortages, Little said he’s grateful that farmers and other stakeholders are on the same page to manage the state’s resources.
Overall, Little said many of his promises were passed this legislative season to promote education and other polices vital to Idaho’s future.
“We will continue to make Idaho the best run state in the country, promote policies that support public schools, farmers and families,” Little said.