From the Desk of the Governor
July 7, 2021
Idaho to help secure U.S.-Mexico border because Biden won't
Last week I announced my plan to send Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers to Arizona to help secure the United States-Mexico border and curb the flow of illegal drugs into Idaho due to failed Biden-Harris immigration policies. 

The crisis at the Unites States-Mexico border and the alarming bump in illegal drug activity are direct results of failed polices of the Biden-Harris administration that harm the people of Idaho. Drug seizures for meth, fentanyl, and heroin have exploded since Biden took office and we’ve seen the highest number of illegal crossings this year in 21 years. Biden reversed numerous Trump policies that kept the American people safer, and now our nation’s governors must step up to protect Americans because the Biden-Harris administration won’t. The State of Idaho proudly stands with our fellow Americans along the United States-Mexico border.
 
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sent a letter to the nation’s governors in June pleading for extra manpower through other states’ law enforcement agencies to help secure the border. I quickly committed to supporting their efforts.

Idaho will send a specialized team of five ISP troopers on a 21-day mission commencing July 6 to assist Arizona Department of Public Safety with intelligence gathering and investigative work related to drug interdiction at the border. The specialized team of ISP troopers will act as a “force multiplier” to augment Arizona’s drug interdiction team.

Idaho will continue to evaluate our resources and the border states’ needs to determine if we can do even more to help in the fight to protect Americans against the Biden-Harris inaction.
Celebrating America in Idaho!
It was an honor to serve as Grand Marshall for the “Liberty on Parade” Independence Day parade in Idaho Falls! Teresa and I enjoyed seeing the smiling faces of Idahoans as we celebrated America's independence. I hope everyone had a safe and happy weekend.
The Fourth of July festivities continued for Teresa and me in Rexburg as we got to celebrate with Idahoans at the “Independence Day Celebration - Day in the Park”!
It wouldn't be Independence Day without a spectacular fireworks display. The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration was a beautiful tribute to America's heroes.
Employment on the rise thanks to state action
Idaho businesses start to see an uptick in employment

Some employers say Gov. Little's decision to end the state's participation in extra unemployment funds is helping get more people back to work. BOISE, Idaho - Its been almost two weeks since Idaho discontinued all federal CARES Act unemployment...

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USS Idaho sailors visit the Gem State
The USS Idaho, a Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine currently under construction, is on schedule to be christened in the summer of 2022 and commissioned into active US Navy service in 2023. 

Last week, Idaho welcomed a contingent of the submarine’s first assigned crew members to familiarize them with our state and establish a bond between Idaho’s citizens and the sailors who will take the USS Idaho to sea as a critical part of our nation’s military strategy.

As part of the visit, sailors made a stop in my office, attended a symphony concert, enjoyed the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration Fireworks, toured the Idaho National Laboratory facilities, and were honored at "USS Idaho Night" at an Idaho Chukars baseball game.

The USS Idaho is using the social media tags #FullyLoaded and #GemOfTheFleet to honor their namesake.
In the Navy, one of the great traditions is when a sailor is qualified as a submariner, they are awarded a dolphin uniform breast pin. I was honored to pin Petty Officer Logan Kennedy in the Ceremonial Office. Congratulations!
Idahoans to see benefits this year from historic tax relief bill
Pandemic Growth Led This State to Slash Taxes, Issue Rebates

Some states are concerned they could lose out on federal covid relief funding if they cut taxes. But not Idaho. State lawmakers approved legislation that will send $220 million in tax rebates back to residents and lower taxes across all income...

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www.route-fifty.com
Idaho further solidifies state sovereignty over water
On Thursday, July 1, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) completed a multi-year transfer of authority from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to DEQ after gaining approval over the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) Program in 2018.

Attaining primacy is a significant accomplishment for the agency and ensures that permittees will have direct access to state permit writers who have local knowledge of Idaho’s surface waters.

It also puts Idaho in line with a vast majority of states that manage the discharge of pollutants into local waterways.

With the transfer of authority complete, DEQ is now responsible for permitting, compliance, inspections, and enforcement of discharge permits into Idaho waterways from industrial and municipal facilities, federal facilities, stormwater systems, sewage sludge, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pretreatment program.
IN THE COMMUNITY
I was happy to attend the ribbon cutting for PetIQ in Eagle! Idaho is a state that values business. PetIQ has more than 250 employees and is now using their new Idaho headquarters!
I closed the holiday weekend with my family trailing sheep in the McCall area. What beautiful vistas we are blessed with here in Idaho!