Little Talks Education, Water, and Sports in His State of the State Address
By Greg Pruett • January 6, 2025The Idaho legislative session is underway, and Governor Brad Little kicked the session off with his State of the State address.
Little began his speech by praising and celebrating President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Little said that Idaho needs to lead in showing the rest of the country how to govern, saying,
“Trump’s vision for Idaho looks a lot like Idahos.”
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Little talked about Idaho’s recent increase in the grocery tax credit but did not touch on the repeal of the tax, something he once promised to do. The grocery tax debate has been ongoing for the last few years, as some wish to continue to increase the credit while others advocate for its complete removal.
During his address, Little discussed education and proposed several education reforms. In particular, Little said he is proposing an additional $50 million in education funding.
Little said he is looking into school choice options, but they must be done the Idaho way. He said he would not support options that take funds away from public schools and that there must be oversight and accountability to school choice options.
After drastically increasing funding for education over the last five years, Little called for even more money to be put into the education system.
During his speech, Little praised the Boise State women’s volleyball team, which stood up for their sport when they refused three times to play San Jose State Universty’s women’s team that had a male player. Little talked about Idaho being the first state to pass a law to protect women’s sports, and Little said he would continue to fight for fairness in women’s sports.
Little also said an election was stolen and mentioned the Heisman trophy, a nod to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who came in a close second in voting.
In turning to water issues in Idaho, Little said that Lt. Governor Scott Bedke was working on a plan to protect water in Idaho without using federal government help. Water levels in the aquifers and fights between farmers and irrigators came to a boiling point last year.
Little talked about Idaho’s efforts at the southern border and recognized some of the Idaho State Police Officers who went to the border to learn more about drug trafficking and the drug cartels. Little said that crime was decreasing and that he was putting more focus on putting away drug traffickers, telling Idahoans about drug traffickers,
“The only place they are welcome in Idaho is behind bars.”
Idaho Dispatch will be working on a follow-up article with responses to Little’s address.
Tags: 2025 Idaho Legislative Session, Boise State University, Donald Trump, Education, Governor Brad Little, Idaho, State of the State, Water
This article, with its quotes of Little’s “State of the state” comments does nothing to change my mind concerning him. If anything, the comments sounded self-serving and cemented the thoughts I’ve had for a long time now that he is a true RINO and needs to be voted out of public office for his megalomaniacal stances and the lack of action on promised campaign platforms.
To liken what he’s “said” concerning President Trump’s ideas sounding like Idaho’s is to me, disingenuous at best. Why say it in a way that makes it sound as if President Trump approached him for a blueprint on how to run the country? I don’t mean to imply that he isn’t capable of independent thought, but comments from him always seem to sound as if he feels his ideas are his, and his alone. And whenever I see something even remotely related to the current lieutenant governor, I’m convinced that these individuals are two peas in a pod. As far as his campaign promises regarding repealing the grocery tax…well, actions speak louder than words.
When it comes to this person and his cronies, I always seem to end up simply shaking my head…VOTE THEM OUT, IDAHO!!!
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