From the Desk of the Governor

September 27, 2024

Idaho is well prepared as quagga mussels are detected in the Snake River

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced this week the detection of a small amount of quagga mussels in the Snake River.

Idaho had the foresight years ago to start investing in the resources needed to detect and eradicate invasive species, and that investment is paying off. I want to thank my partners in the Idaho Legislature for making this happen. With an effective, robust invasive species program in place, we are far better off today than we were even a year ago when quagga mussels were first detected in the Snake River.

One of our greatest success stories as a state has been the coordinated, rapid response to quagga mussels last fall, but we knew we would be on watch for a period of five years. I have great confidence in the team at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and their many, many partners to continue to tackle this problem with minimal disruption to the public.

Visit Idaho.Gov/Quagga for updates.

Voter participation, confidence in elections paramount

As we inch closer to a big election, we reflect on the extraordinary importance of our election system in our great state and country. Elections are the cornerstone of our democratic republic, which is why I made Idaho the first state to take executive action to make sure only citizens vote in our elections. Idaho has a strong track record in championing investments that safeguard election integrity and encourage voter confidence.

I am opposed to ranked choice voting and signed House Bill 179 in 2023 banning it in Idaho. We must promote voting practices that are clear, increase voter participation, and don’t undermine confidence in our elections, and ranked choice voting meets none of those standards. Idahoans will make their voices heard on Proposition 1 at the ballot box in November. As for me, I will not be supporting Proposition 1.

30 pounds of meth seized in combined state and federal investigation of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy

This week, I joined U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit and law enforcement partners to announce the arrest of 10 defendants on drug trafficking charges. These individuals are charged with possessing and distributing methamphetamines’ to the people of the Magic Valley. I am proud of the way our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners came together to complete this investigation. We are sending message to nefarious drug traffickers that Idaho is not the place for their illegal business! These partnerships help strengthen the safety of Idahoans and ensure illegal drugs are staying off our streets.

Little, Bedke oppose Biden-Harris “groundwater grab”

Lt. Governor Scott Bedke and I sent a letter to the White House this week addressing our deep concern with their recent actions to increase federal oversight of Idaho’s water.

Earlier this year, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) sent out a request for information poking around for data and information on states’ groundwater.

Management of water is a state issue. We do not invite or welcome the involvement of the federal government in making decisions about this precious resource.

We made it clear – Idaho’s groundwater is NOT up for grabs!