By Governor Brad Little Idaho just ended its fiscal year with a surplus nearly three times what was expected before COVID-19. How, in the middle of a global pandemic, did we manage to do that? Through conservative principles of governing. In late March, shortly after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Idaho, I asked state government agencies to do what businesses and families across Idaho were having to do -- tighten their belts. I called for agencies to cut spending and freeze hiring and any planned salary increases. We were one of the first states to announce a formal holdback. Conservative revenue forecasting also contributed to our relatively positive budget situation. With the support of the Legislature, we used a more conservative revenue forecast than in previous years in order to provide a greater cushion at fiscal year-end. We also moved the tax filing deadline to June 15, giving citizens more time to file their taxes but kept filings in the same fiscal year. Other liberal states had to look for ways to cover shortfalls. We've also taken steps to catalyze Idaho's economic rebound. Idaho was one of the last states with a confirmed COVID-19 case and one of the first states with a plan to safely and responsibly open our economy in stages. In fact, Idaho was ranked as the number one state for economic momentum during the pandemic because of our wage growth and employment figures. While other states already withdrew approximately $1.7 billion from their rainy-day funds during COVID-19, we strengthened Idaho's rainy-day funds with year-end transfers. We anticipate having close to $580 million in reserve. This will prepare us well for the coming years. I'm not trying to be overly optimistic about our budget situation. We anticipate there will be a three- to four-year budget impact because of COVID-19. However, ending our fiscal year with a large surplus means Idaho is well positioned to deal with the ongoing economic reality of living during a global pandemic. We will be able to carry over the surplus into the current fiscal year and minimize service disruption to Idahoans. While other states are facing twenty- to forty-percent cuts, I have asked Idaho state government to prepare for a five-percent holdback this fiscal year. Holdbacks are never easy, but a lot of states would love to be in our position right now. Thankfully, Idaho's public school system will be minimally impacted by COVID-19 in the new fiscal year because of our efforts to strategically leverage federal funds to offset planned reductions. Fiscal conservativism elsewhere in the budget combined with the relief funds we directed to K-12 mean teachers, students, and parents won't feel as much of an impact in schools like they will in other states. Between direct federal support for schools and our actions through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a total of $122.2 million has been committed to K-12 public education for the next school year. I've said it before -- it's what you do in the good years that sets you up for failure or success. Under criticism from some, the Legislature and I chose to pad our rainy-day funds during times of economic prosperity, so we are better able to weather economic downturns like the one we are experiencing across the country now. I want to thank my partners in the Legislature who have helped position our state for a strong economic rebound. These are uncertain, challenging times but we are far better off here than elsewhere right now, thanks to our focus on fiscal conservatism in state government.

By Gov. Brad Little The celebration of Independence Day this year will be unlike any other. Our experience with coronavirus will strip away much of the barbecues and fireworks displays that have traditionally marked Independence Day festivities. I'm saddened about that, but I choose to see an opportunity this year to more deeply reflect on where we've been as a country and where we're headed. At its core, the anniversary of our country celebrates a group of renegades rejecting an oppressive monarchy and standing up for a system that should recognize every single human being is equal -- both under the laws of government and in the eyes of the Lord. Self-determination is the bedrock of our identity as a people. Our system of government is brilliant, but it was never intended to be perfect. In fact, the quest for "a more perfect union," as envisioned in our Constitution, should never cease. I'm reminded of an often-told story about the response Benjamin Franklin offered when asked what sort of government we had established. He said, "A republic, if you can keep it." Independence Day is as much about our future as it is about our history. The survival of our country depends on each and every one of us playing an active, informed role in keeping our republic alive. I believe Idahoans embody what our founders envisioned. Angst across the country seems to be at an all-time high. We are seemingly fractured. But as I travel the state, I see mostly love, care, and concern for others happening all around me. I see unity. We are united both in our longing to protect the values that built our great country and in our longing for a better future for America. America has survived a civil war, two world wars, economic depression and, yes, pandemics. These are trying times, but as I have said before, history will remember how we dealt with the challenges. Life is all about choices. Let's choose to take a deep breath and love our neighbors. Let's choose to unite around our commitment in seeing our country thrive for future generations of Idahoans. God bless Idaho and the United States of America.

By Brad Little Idaho was given the chance to once again demonstrate our fiscally conservative values when President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress directed $1.25 billion to all the smaller states including Idaho in federal coronavirus relief dollars. And we answered the call. We are directing much of those funds back to our citizens and businesses rather than putting coronavirus relief funds toward government budgets. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was intended to mitigate the economic fallout of COVID-19. All our actions have been in lockstep with U.S. Treasury guidance for allocation of the funds. Our economic rebound will occur more quickly if Idahoans have more of their hard-earned dollars in their pockets. Earlier this week, I joined mayors, county commissioners, and my partners in the Legislature in announcing Idaho will leverage federal coronavirus relief funds to cover local public safety personnel salaries and ensure there are no reductions in public safety during these unprecedented challenges. At the same time, we are giving cities and counties the opportunity to pass on the savings to property taxpayers rather than backfilling local government budgets. The move is expected to result in up to $200 million in one-time property tax relief. That could mean a 10- to 20-percent reduction in your property taxes this year. Meanwhile, the Legislature will continue to explore ongoing relief to property taxpayers. Idaho also has led the country in our support of small businesses. We directed a sizeable chunk of relief funds toward direct cash support to the self-employed and to businesses with under 50 employees. We listened to businesses large and small, and we're offering back-to-work bonuses to get folks off unemployment and back to work safely. As of today, 98-percent of Idaho businesses can open their doors and jobs are coming back, but businesses tell me they are having a hard time recruiting employees. The back-to-work bonuses are based on a basic conservative principle articulated by President Ronald Reagan: "We should measure success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added." We don't want people on unemployment, sitting at home collecting government checks. We want people working. Work strengthens not just the individual and their family, but all of society. I believe the more than 145,000 Idahoans who filed an unemployment claim since March 1 want to work if they can do so safely. Most of them have never encountered the unemployment line. But most Americans who are out of work due to coronavirus earn more with the enhanced unemployment benefit than their normal wages -- a perk that is expected to expire July 31. In seven weeks, the extra $600-per-week unemployment benefit goes away. The bonuses help folks get back to work sooner. The back-to-work bonuses -- $1,500 for full-time workers and $750 for part-time workers, paid out after they return to work -- will help get our economy going again. That benefits us all, and it saves taxpayer dollars in the long run. President Trump, White House officials, and Congressional Republicans are looking at similar programs on the federal level. I understand the frustration on the part of those who reported to work throughout this time, putting their own health at risk performing services that we all needed. It was and continues to be a stressful time, but many of us are fortunate we didn't have major disruptions in our jobs or income -- unlike those who were forced to file for unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, the CARES Act does not allow bonuses to go to those who have kept their jobs, but we are looking other ways to help this group. In Idaho, we advocate for low taxes, airtight budgets, transparency in government, and minimal regulations. The reason we can direct federal relief dollars back to the taxpayers is because all along we have governed conservatively -- we put money into savings (rainy day accounts), we maintain a balanced budget, we don't incur long-term debt for government operations, and we keep state agency budgets accountable and lean. I'm proud of the citizens of Idaho for their collective efforts to effectively slow the spread of coronavirus in our state. With your continued support, our economic rebound will happen more quickly and more robustly than many other places in the country and the world.