Building Idaho's future: the power of education, innovation and partnership
Investment in higher education and a skilled workforce has been shown to provide significant societal benefits, including more individuals with private retirement benefits, medical benefits, and employment stability – thus, decreasing their reliance on state or federal benefits, writes guest columnist Robert Wagner. (Courtesy of Idaho State University)
The start of a legislative session has a familiar rhythm – a mix of tradition and purpose that reminds me of the serious work ahead and the hope that comes with new beginnings. As a political scientist, I've always appreciated the unique dynamics of this process, and earlier this month, I had the privilege of watching our legislators take their places, ready to engage in the deliberations that will shape our state's future. Their work, often painstaking and unglamorous, is a clear example of how democracy works in action. It's a reminder that politics, at its best, is not just a contest of ideas but about building something enduring together.
The legislative session officially began with an event representing the intersection of governance and vision for Idaho's future — Gov. Brad Little's State of the State Address. Gov. Little underscored the essential role of education in Idaho. His vision is clear: Idaho's prosperity hinges on the ability to equip its people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to succeed. His strategy is backed by important data: a study indicates by 2031, 72% of jobs in the United States will require post-secondary education or training. This is the daily work of those who serve Idaho's residents at institutions like Idaho State University; we turn goals and dreams into reality.
In response to Idaho's urgent need for health care professionals, ISU collaborated with Kootenai Health to create an accelerated nursing program in North Idaho to educate and mobilize skilled nurses. This program prepares RNs in a fraction of the time, combining rigorous academic training with real-world clinical experience. With the governor's support, we are now expanding the accelerated nursing program and ensuring that more nurses are ready to step into the field where they are so desperately needed.
Our partnership with Kootenai Health shows what can happen when public institutions and private industry unite. A deeper truth about education is reflected: it's not an expense but an investment. The dividends are clear – not only in economic terms but also in the value of building stronger communities and meeting Idaho's growing workforce needs with homegrown talent. This approach creates greater opportunities for Idahoans and reduces the need to rely on importing out-of-state professionals. Investment in higher education has also been shown to provide significant societal benefits, including more individuals with private retirement benefits, medical benefits, and employment stability – thus, decreasing their reliance on state or federal benefits.
The value of our public higher education system is all about equipping Idahoans with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a growing state. Recent studies show that college education results in stronger families, better health, increased prosocial behavior, and graduates who are more likely to vote. Businesses can hire talented workers locally instead of looking out of state, and those workers become active contributors to civic life. They stay rooted in the communities they love, making a difference by raising families, joining PTOs, coaching youth sports and volunteering at food banks and local churches. Investing in higher education is investing in the stewards who will shape Idaho's future.
This understanding animates ISU's mission and drives our commitment to innovation. We're reimagining what it means to serve Idahoans by creating flexible pathways that allow more people to access the opportunities a college education provides. Whether a recent high school graduate, a mid-career professional looking to reskill or a parent returning to school after raising children, students are met where they are, and ISU's specialized programs take them where they want to be with a bachelor's degree, a technical certificate, a professional degree or a career-advancing certification.
The work we do in higher education requires more than vision — partnerships are essential. Working with our state Legislature, whose members represent Idaho's incredible breadth of experience and insight, is a foundational partnership that generates long-term success.
Idaho's elected officials, like its educators, are grappling with an essential question: How do we prepare for a future that's both unpredictable and demanding? Part of the answer lies in the innovative programs that are emerging from the state's public higher education institutions, like ISU. We are partnering with industries to meet workforce demands and create pipelines that connect education to employment. Whether it's health care, energy or engineering, these collaborations are yielding solutions that are as practical as they are impactful.
At ISU, we embrace the responsibility of our mission with determination. We understand that the stakes are high and the expectations even higher. We also know that Idaho's potential is boundless, as long as we remain committed to the principles that have always guided us: collaboration, innovation and an unyielding belief in the power of education to transform lives.
In the end, the strength of Idaho will not only be measured by its resources and its landscapes, but by the people who call it home and by the futures we are willing to invest in today. There's work to be done, and it's the kind of work that matters. Together, we're ensuring that Idaho's brightest days are still ahead.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
In major reversal, Kotek seeks return of fugitive suspected of targeting Asian Oregonians
Gov. Tina Kotek delivers her State of the State address on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. She recently ordered the extradition of a suspected member of a multi-state burglary ring from Texas to Oregon. (Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle/pool) Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday said she has ordered the extradition of a suspected member of a multi-state burglary ring from Texas to Oregon who allegedly targeted Asian households throughout the Eugene area, averting some of the blowback she faced for rejecting the extradition earlier this week. The reversal marks the second time in the past two weeks that Kotek has changed course in an extradition decision in the wake of public pressure. The governor made a more explicit reversal in May regarding the transfer of a woman accused of embezzling from Eugene Weekly, a move the locally-beloved newspaper has called 'an about-face.' This time, the decision to extradite came 'after further communication with the Lane County DA's office and review of the information provided,' Roxy Mayer, a Kotek press secretary, said in an email. The governor is 'still not moving forward' with the extradition of another member of the burglary ring who fled Oregon and who is being held in Texas with an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement hold. 'We were notified two days ago that the Governor's Office has changed their position on funding in [a] case where our Asian residents were targeted,' Lane County District Attorney Christopher Parosa said in a statement. 'I am grateful for that. It will go a long way to allowing us to make that community feel welcomed and protected in Lane County.' Parosa told The Register-Guard on Tuesday that Kotek's denial was out of the ordinary and 'seems to be an attempt by the governor's office to put that financial obligation on the local communities, who, of course, have never had that responsibility in the past.' He declined to elaborate on the state's extradition efforts to the Capital Chronicle but shared a statement in an email. 'It is my hope that further dialogue regarding extradition funding requests will occur between the Governor's Office and the Lane County District Attorney in the near future,' he said. Jennifer Jonak, a board member at the Eugene-based Asian American Council of Oregon, said in a statement that the group is 'grateful that the Governor's office has heard and taken into account the impact on our Asian American community.' Jonak said the council is still reviewing further details regarding the suspect still on ICE hold in Texas. 'We deeply appreciate the hard work of local law enforcement agencies and the Lane County DA's office who have worked so hard to obtain justice for the victims of these race-targeted offenses,' she said. The Oregon governor has the discretion to make decisions on extraditions in light of the sometimes high costs, a factor Kotek's office has highlighted when explaining its recent rejections of extradition requests. Costs of retrieving alleged criminals from other states have significantly increased since 2020, according to data shared by Kotek's office. The average cost of extraditions from 'non-shuttle states' – those are states that don't participate in cost-sharing and inter-state coordination with fugitive return – has risen about 30% since the 2019-2021 biennium. Police in Eugene described the burglaries as part of a 'multi-state crime ring targeting wealthy individuals of Asian descent, to include business owners, doctors, and others,' according to one February news release, including states such as Washington and Idaho. The suspects surveilled and targeted homeowners who they believed were likely to store valuables at home, police say. Authorities estimated similar crimes continued throughout summer and fall of 2024. While some suspects have been arrested and charged, many warrants remain standing nationwide as several alleged perpetrators are believed to have fled the country. Officials have not named or released a country of origin for the suspect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Tech billionaire tapped for head of Forest Service cleared national land to make room for private airstrip: 'Illegally operating an airport'
The man in line to lead the U.S. Forest Service has "clashed" with the agency for years over private use of public lands, the New York Times reported. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a confirmation hearing to discuss the appointment of Michael Boren, per ABC News. Boren is an Idaho ranch owner and founder of a billion-dollar tech company — and he's had more than one run-in with the Forest Service in recent years as well as confrontations with residents who have objected to his activities. In 2015, Boren purchased his Hell Roaring Ranch, located in the Forest Service-managed Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Boren's run-ins with the Forest Service and locals typically revolved around claims of his "diverting a stream, disputes over how Boren manages land within and around the national forest, and disagreements about the precise locations of mining claims made by Boren's corporation," ABC explained. However, the Times focused on a controversy involving Boren's installation of a "private air strip" in what the outlet described as "a national recreation area." Boren allegedly operated a helicopter "dangerously close to a crew building a Forest Service trail" in 2020 — earning him a caution from the agency and leading officials to obtain a restraining order. Dave Coyner was one of the workers on the crew during the helicopter incident. "We saw this helicopter less than 100 feet off the ground, and it started coming toward us. They were definitely trying to intimidate us," he recalled. "To hear that he's being nominated to be undersecretary of the Forest Service, that just blows me away," Coyner said. The Times linked to a 2021 editorial in the Post Register written by a retired search and rescue operative Gary Gadwa. "Michael Boren, a multimillionaire from Boise, is illegally operating an airport in the Sawtooth Valley without permits," Gadwa wrote. He called on Idaho residents to "halt this dangerous precedent, which threatens one of the most beloved wilderness areas in our state." Boren sued Boise-based Jon Conti for discussing the controversy on YouTube, and Conti was largely reluctant to comment on the broader controversy. "The Sawtooths are the last wild frontier, really untouched, and I think that most Idahoans would like to see it stay that way," Conti remarked, per the Times. Should the government ban gas stoves? Yes Only in new buildings Only in restaurants No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
While Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker scored wins during legislative session, cellphone ban, other initiatives fell short
CHICAGO — Entering a legislative session amid questions about whether he'd run for a third term, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker outlined an ambitious agenda that ended with mixed results. In a State of the State and budget address in February that will be remembered mainly for Pritzker invoking Nazi Germany to describe the new presidential administration, there was also a litany of policy initiatives — some of which passed and will now have a tangible impact on Illinoisans and others that went nowhere in the spring legislative session that just wrapped up. 'You don't get everything done in one year. I think the Senate president can back me up on that, and lots of people in the General Assembly,' Pritzker said Sunday at his end-of-session news conference in Springfield, flanked by Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park. 'Sometimes they spend two years, four years, six years trying to get something big done. I think we've been hyper-successful about getting things done in a shorter period of time than expected.' But Pritzker's mixed scorecard also revealed tensions between his agenda and those in the Legislative Black Caucus. More than once, Black caucus members balked at Pritzker's plans as they didn't see their wants and needs fully addressed during a legislative session that focused heavily on fiscal issues and a tight budget. Indeed, while the governor's backing puts political capital behind any policy proposal, that didn't mean it was guaranteed to pass through the sometimes splintered Democratic supermajorities in the state House and Senate. Here are some examples of where the governor accomplished what he set out to do — and a few places where he came up short. What Pritzker said: 'This session, I'll move forward with legislation requiring all school districts in Illinois to adopt a cellphone policy that bans the use of phones during classroom instruction. More focus on learning will bring even greater success for kids across our state.' Status: Did not pass. A coalition of Illinois House lawmakers blocked the measure when it came to the House late in the session over concerns about unequal disciplinary impacts, according to bill sponsor, Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg. Concerns about enforcement disproportionately affecting Black and brown students became more pronounced as lawmakers reviewed the phone restriction alongside another bill limiting police from ticketing students for minor misbehavior, according to Mussman. Legislators were hesitant to pass a statewide school mandate while also debating a measure meant to scale back school discipline practices, she said. Rep. Curtis Tarver, a Chicago Democrat and a member of the Black caucus, told the Tribune in February he worried about the 'unintended consequences' of a phone ban, including inequitable enforcement. The legislation against ticketing and fines passed both chambers and now heads to Pritzker's desk for his signature. A Chicago Tribune and ProPublica investigation found school districts used local law enforcement to fine students, and Black students were twice as likely to be ticketed at school as their white peers, a pattern lawmakers aimed to end. Pritzker's cellphone policy will have to wait for another session when there's more time to work out the enforcement aspect, Mussman said. The measure would have required school districts to adopt guidelines prohibiting students from using wireless devices, such as cellphones and smartwatches, during instructional time, while providing secure and accessible storage for the devices, before the 2026-2027 school year. The legislation also included a few exceptions, such as permitting students to use phones in emergencies. In the end, negotiations around the measure came down to a 'dance' between ensuring local school boards had control over their own policies while also protecting students from 'inequitably applied' policies, Mussman said. Moreover, representatives were unsure how to implement guidance on 'how a phone might be returned if it was confiscated, or what to do if anything was lost or broken,' she added. Also not quite making the mark: Pritzker's push to expand so-called evidence-based funding for K-12 schools by $350 million. The final plan would boost funding by $307 million, cutting $43 million that usually would go to a grant program designed to help school districts with high property tax rates and low real estate values. What Pritzker said: 'I'm proposing that we allow community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees for in-demand career paths — like nursing, advanced manufacturing, early childhood education, and beyond.' And: 'I propose we pass the Public University Direct Admission Program Act introduced by Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford last year. It would allow students to know before they apply whether they qualify for admission to any or all of our state's public universities.' Status: One for two. The Pritzker-led initiative to let community colleges offer four-year degrees didn't make it to the finish line even after the sponsor, Democratic Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl of Northbrook, filed a significant amendment following months of negotiations. The bill was intended to create more paths for students to get affordable, accessible bachelor's degrees in areas that need more workers. However, it initially faced opposition from existing four-year schools that warned it could duplicate degree offerings. Toward the end of the session, Tarver told a Senate committee that the Black caucus had 'significant issues with the bill,' including how it would affect four-year institutions serving a high proportion of Black and minority students, such as Chicago State University. A proposal on direct university admissions, however, passed, meaning high school students and eligible community college students starting in the 2027-2028 school year will automatically be offered admission to public universities if they meet specific GPA standards. What Pritzker said: 'We're going to stop insurance companies from blocking access to mental health. We can do that by banning prior authorization for all behavioral health care. And for rural Illinois families and those who live far away from certain medical care, we'll require insurance reimbursement for reasonable travel costs associated with medical appointments' for some distances. Status: Passed. Building on sweeping health care legislation last year, the General Assembly this session voted on a bill to expand a ban on prior authorization for outpatient behavioral health care, meaning patients will no longer need permission from insurance companies before receiving mental health treatment in many more cases. The same legislation also puts insurers on the hook for travel costs in some instances where closer options aren't adequate. What Pritzker said: 'I'm introducing the Prescription Drug Affordability Act to rein in the unfair practices of PBMs.' Status: Passed. Critics often blame large so-called pharmacy benefit managers, such as CVS Caremark and UnitedHealth Group-owned Optum Rx, for inflating prescription drug costs while pushing independent pharmacies out of business, and Pritzker was largely successful this session in barring these practices, as a bill carrying language to restrict PBM costs passed the legislature with broad bipartisan support. The bill now heading to Pritzker's desk would prohibit PBMs from charging insurance companies more for drugs than they are paid by pharmacies and pocketing the difference; prohibit them from giving better reimbursement rates to pharmacies that the same company owns; and require them to pass along rebates negotiated with drugmakers to health plans and patients. Pritzker indicated Saturday that he would sign the measure, which would also require PBMs to submit annual reports on pricing and other practices to the Illinois Department of Insurance. The measure would charge PBMs an annual $15-per-patient fee, with the first $25 million collected going to a grant fund to support local pharmacies. Supporters of PBMs during the session argued Pritzker's plan was flawed, as they see PBMs as saving patients and employers money partly by negotiating with drugmakers. What Pritzker proposed: As part of the package of policies he announced in February, Pritzker said he'd push several other initiatives, including funding to remediate dilapidated state sites and an easier path for voters to reduce or eliminate local township governments. Status: State site funding passed; township idea stalled. Pritzker received his requested $500 million in state capital funds for two key programs on state sites, including $300 million to remake five or more largely abandoned properties, which would help develop properties 'sitting idle' in areas that are 'ripe' for economic growth, according to his budget proposals. The state's previous investments in site readiness have generated over $1.5 billion in private investment and the now-passed initiatives could attract more than $4.7 billion in investment, the governor's office said in February. Yet an effort to consolidate smaller townships across the state did not gain much traction as neither bill in the House nor the Senate made it out of committee. Pritzker's office said in February that many of the more than 1,400 townships operating across the state — which levy over $750 million in property taxes — provide services that are duplicative or could be managed more efficiently by municipalities or counties. Townships often provide maintenance and services for rural areas, such as road maintenance and transportation for seniors. Still, several Illinois townships have been tangled with corruption, such as the recent federal investigation of Dolton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard over improper spending of taxpayer dollars. The idea of consolidating townships has faltered for a century, partly due to opposition from politicians seeking to preserve their power, as well as concerns that downstate rural areas could lose their civic identity. ____
