Gov. Brad Little talks key Idaho issues during recent Pocatello visit

POCATELLO — Organizational heads, business moguls, city representatives and leaders of the community gathered at Idaho State University's Idaho Central Credit Union Bengal Alumni Center early Tuesday morning to listen to keynote speaker Gov. Brad Little as he discussed a variety of issues pertinent to Idaho.

Standing before an audience that included ISU President Robert Wagner and Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad, Little first addressed concerns surrounding water rights and Idaho’s aquifer.

“The problem really isn't an us versus them problem,” Little said. “It's an issue of senior water right holders versus junior water right holders and it's also not regional. There are people in the far eastern part of Idaho that have some of the oldest water rights and there are people downstream that have some of the newest water rights. So, it really is about the adage that's embedded into our laws.”

Little reiterated his support of protecting water rights on a state level and continuing to collaborate with water rights holders, canal companies and other entities across the state. Little recanted the water summit that he hosted in August of last year where he assembled hundreds of stakeholders to talk about water rights issues and tasked the Department of Water Resources to create the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Groundwater Management Plan Advisory Council. Little promised an additional $10 million to help augment and accomplish more recharge in the Eastern Snake Plain.

Little then moved on to talking points regarding Idaho and the fires that rage across the state during much of the summer months and commented on the $60 million pledged at the beginning of the year to combat the fires. Little also talked about working with the Eastern Idaho Fire District to coordinate between with the local, volunteer and professional firefighters and farmers and ranchers to minimize fire risk.

Little remarked on Idaho’s growth and safety and talked about it being the least regulated state in the nation before highlighting many of Idaho’s recent economic successes.

“We're number one for income growth,” Little said. “That's why we achieved a triple A credit rating from the credit rating agencies. We have the fastest growing personal income of any state in the nation. We've offered more tax relief per capita than any state in the nation. We're one of the most fiscally responsible states. We're number one for economic momentum. We're one of the top 10 states for the best economy. We're one of the top three states for small businesses and we will continue on that track."

Little attributed much of that success to individual and collective businesses that created opportunity in the state and his goals to create a place where Idaho’s children would choose to remain and pursue their goals.

In keeping with his continual stance on tax reduction, Little spoke on his efforts to lower property, income and corporate income tax and the $4.6 billion in tax relief he has already provided.

Little also spoke on one of his top priorities, education, and his attempts to address pay and benefits for teachers.

“Our big initiative the last two years, which ISU has been a big part of, is our LAUNCH initiative, where these kids that weren't traditionally going to go come down and get their bachelor's degree at Idaho State would have other opportunities — welders, plumbers, HPAC, the healthcare field, all of those fields, we're going to make great progress.”

Little continued, “This community knows very well about our success with my legislative partners to offer $2 billion in funding for (school) facilities. We did that all over the state. That's the right thing to do. It's our constitutional obligation.”

Little covered the various traffic projects across the state, covering the Inkom bridge, the Blackfoot interchange, the widening of Interstate 15 from Pocatello to Blackfoot and the hundreds of millions invested into these endeavors.

In a portion of his final remarks, Little spoke on his efforts in the behavioral health field, including the creation of the youth crisis center in Pocatello and his continued efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic and substance abuse.

Before taking his leave, Little answered a few questions from the audience, addressing the topics of school voucher programs, illegal immigration and state issues surrounding child care and funding support for daycare facilities.