On Monday the gavel will come down for the start of the legislative session in Boise. House and Senate members will then convene in a joint session to hear Governor Brad Little’s annual State of the State address.
It will likely be a longer speech than the inaugural address he delivered on Friday. But he's likely to repeat some of the same themes.
“My first term as governor has reinforced the famous saying, ‘It’s amazing what you get done when you don’t care who gets the credit,'" Little said.
He vowed to continue following the blueprint he said Idaho used to get through the Covid pandemic.
“Doubling down on support for school children, supporting our neighbors in need, tax relief, cutting red tape, improving the quality of life while making long range investments that will stand the test of time. Our enduring Idaho values are also the reason we will continue down our path to prosperity," he said.
Little was one of seven elected officials to whom State Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan administered the oath of office. Four are serving for the first time: Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, Attorney General Raul Labrador, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and Secretary of State Phil McGrane.
After taking his second oath as governor, Little repeatedly invoked the theme of Idaho values during a brief inauguration speech.
“When we see a need, we don’t idly sit by and let others or government find a solution. Whether it’s our churches, our schools, our neighborhoods, Idahoans are there for each other. They work hard. They press forward in the face of challenges and they never lose sight of what’s most important: opportunity, faith, family and freedom.”
