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Gov. Little says education is priority, remembers Idaho murder victims in 2023 State of the State Address

Gov. Brad Little is beginning his second term in office. He vowed to continue the fight against fentanyl, and proposed directing $120 million to property tax relief.

KTVB Staff

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Published: 7:59 AM MST January 9, 2023
Updated: 3:12 PM MST January 9, 2023

As he begins his second term as chief executive for the State of Idaho, Gov. Brad Little is urging lawmakers to “focus on the big things.”

“Let’s spend our time and energy to improve the lives of Idahoans for generations to come,” Gov. Little said Monday in the opening minutes of his 2023 State of the State Address. “With the winds at our back and a strong mandate from every corner of Idaho, let’s work together to translate the people’s vote into action by making – dare I say historic – investments in education a reality.”

The “strong mandate” the governor referred to is from the November 2022 election results: the statewide advisory vote on the legislation passed during a special session on Sept. 1, 2022. The legislation authorized one-time tax rebates late last year, established a flat income tax starting with the 2023 tax year, and established dedicated funds totaling more than $400 million for public schools and career training.

“80 percent – four out of five Idaho voters – approve of what we did during the 2022 extraordinary session last September,” he said, later adding a line that drew laughter in the Idaho House chamber. “I will sheepishly admit, I checked the ballot results in Emmett. Would you believe funding education and cutting taxes was more popular than their hometown governor?”

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