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Coming Up:

Thursday,
 June, 15th
Governor Otter and First Lady Lori Otter will be attending the Paris Air Show in Paris, France.  
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Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Service


I spoke on Memorial Day at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise to honor Idaho's fallen service men and women and the families they left behind. Hundreds of people turned out to commemorate their service. The men and women interred at the Veterans Cemetery provide us with an important reminder of the cost of freedom and the value of their sacrifice for all of us.  
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Secretary Perdue and Secretary Zinke Visit Idaho


It was a pleasure having U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue and Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke visit Idaho on June 1st and 2nd. What a breath of fresh air it is to see those federal agencies working together - and with us - in an effort to support state and local resource priorities. I'm very optimistic about the new direction this administration is moving, with the two Cabinet members who are responsible for almost two-thirds of the land in Idaho pledging their support for a stronger and more dynamic resource management partnership between the states and our federal landlords. I look forward to collaborating with them and Idaho stakeholders on a host of issues that are important to our citizens and our communities - from fighting wildfires to protecting multiple-use of our forests and rangeland. Read more here. 
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Secretary Perdue and Secretary Zinke Visit Idaho (Continued)


My discussions with Agriculture Secretary Perdue and Interior Secretary Zinke during their visit to Idaho focused on collaborating in management of our public lands. That includes working together on preventing wildfires, protecting sage-grouse habitat, ensuring that grazing regulations are fair and reasonable, and responsibly developing renewable energy resources. Secretary Perdue and I also discussed the impact of federal immigration policies on our agriculture workforce. Both Cabinet members were attentive and receptive to my message of rebuilding the kind of "federalist" relationship that the Framers intended between states and the national government.   
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Hayden Lake Hosts the 92nd Capital for a Day


I want to thank the City of Hayden Lake for hosting my 92nd Capital for a Day on Thursday, May 25th. I was joined by members of my Cabinet as we listened to local citizens express their concerns and needs. Some of the issues that came up included air and water quality and what the state is doing to work more effectively with the federal government to increase the state's role in actively managing Idaho's natural resources. The folks in Hayden Lake were great hosts. I appreciate their hospitality and participation in yet another successful Capital for a Day.   
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Chambers of Commerce


Last week I addressed the Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, providing both with an update on our economic development and public policy efforts to keep Idaho growing.  Idaho has one of the nation's strongest economies, with one new report rating us ninth in the nation for business formation, job creation and workforce mobility. Our unemployment rate is well below the national average; our education improvement efforts are moving into their fourth year; a new community college is coming to eastern Idaho, and our business community is becoming more diverse all the time. We also are exceeding our State revenue projections heading into the final month of this budget year, so I'm proud of the direction that Idaho is moving - at the speed of business. Let's keep the momentum going!
  
 
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Hispanic Business Association Scholarships


I had the pleasure of presenting the Hispanic Business Association's Richard G. Cortez Scholarships on Wednesday, May 23rd at the Capitol in Boise. The students receiving financial help with their education beyond high school consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment to learning and a desire to excel. I know these scholarship recipients worked exceptionally hard to earn this recognition from the Hispanic Business Association, so I wish them all the best in their future endeavors and expect great things from these promising students.  
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First Lady Focus: Inspirational Runner
       

On Thursday, June 8th, I presented Shu's Idaho Running Company's "Inspirational Person Award" to their 2017 recipient, Richard Cartner. Due to my love of running and those who were my inspirations as I trained and finished my marathons, this is one of my favorite awards to present. Richard has been an inspiration to countless people in his life. Through running, he has been able to help and motivate many different people, whether it was just the beginning of their running journey or they were in need of an extra running buddy. He is always happy to help, lend a hand, give advice and encourage those around him to be inspirations to the people in their own lives. Richard is a great example of what the running community here in Idaho embraces and the person many people look up to in regards to his happy and healthy lifestyle.

Congratulations, Richard! You deserve it  
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Agency Spotlight: 
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
 
Idaho's State Parks: BIG Adventure. Close-to-home.



Idaho's 30 state parks are home some of Idaho's most unique cultural, geological and recreational assets. These special places host over 5 million people each year, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) is working to enhance visitor experiences with new programs and events at Idaho's State parks - with an emphasis on introducing more young people to the great outdoors.

"We're thankful to finally have the opportunity to make an investment in our park programming, creating added value for our visitors," IDPR Director David Langhorst said. "Our goal is to expand offerings within our State parks that appeal to a wide range of Idahoans with special emphasis on interpretive and experience-based programs are so vitally important to engaging our youth and getting them outside."
Visitors can look forward to new in-park programming, Junior Ranger offerings, equipment rentals and special events.

Grab the Kids, Your Idaho State Parks Passport and Go! 



Your Idaho State Parks Passport is just $10 and available when you renew your automobile registrations. Grab your kiddos, your Passport and choose your next, close-to-home adventure!

Choose Your Own Idaho State Park Adventure!

Kayak Rentals: Priest Lake State Park

Sand Dune Boarding and Rentals / Astronomical Observatory: Bruneau Dunes State Park

Zip Line Tours and Waterslide Access: Eagle Island State Park

3D Archery Range / World-Class Rock Climbing: Castle Rocks State Park / City of Rocks National Reserve

Most Idaho State Parks offer camping, hiking, biking, boating and disc golf opportunities. Visit www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov for a complete list of Idaho's State Parks and offerings!

Special Promos 



Every Kid in a Park - To help engage and create our next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, the National Park Service, in partnership with other Land Management agencies, launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their public lands and waters in person.

All kids in the fourth grade have access to their own Every Kid in a Park pass at www.everykidinapark.gov. This pass provides free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges and thanks to support from Governor Otter, YOUR IDAHO STATE PARKS!

Information on obtaining the pass is available by visiting www.everykidinapark.gov. ** Passes will be accepted at every Idaho State Park for day use only. Does not apply to camping fees.**
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Appointments 

Building Code Board
Jason Blais - Boise
Charles Bleth - Boise


Children's Trust Fund 
Richard Jurvelin - Coeur d'Alene

Criminal Justice Commission
Sen. Grant Burgoyne - Boise

Economic Advisory Board 
Mark Young - Idaho Falls

Health Quality Planning Council
Dr. Angela Beauchaine - Boise

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Bill Hatch - Rigby
Geoffery Oldenkamp - Nampa
Ted Sermon - Idaho Falls

Judicial Council
Elizabeth Chavez - Boise

Lava Hot Springs
Kelly Pearce - Boise

Massage Therapy
Paul Weston - Moscow

Board of Medicine
Dr. Mark Grajcar - Boise
Dr. Kraig McGee - Pocatello
Michelle Chadwick - Emmett

Morticians Board
Craig Geary - Shelly

Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Tom Schultz - Boise
Mark Shigeta - New Plymouth

Petroleum Storage Tank Fund
Sen. Bob Nonini - Coeur d'Alene

Psychologist Examiners Board   

Dr. Theresa Ross - Pocatello

Public Safety Communications

Wes Jones - Blackfoot

Real Estate Appraiser Board
Scott Calhoun - Boise

SERVE Idaho

Charlette Kremer - Lewiston
Colleen Showalter - Boise
Doug Brown - Garden City
Jesse Maldonado - Lewiston

Sexual Offender Management Board

Melissa Hultberg - Boise

State Independent Living Council

Maxwell Hudson - Boise
Hernan Reyes - Caldwell
Mollynnae Sherpa - Lewiston

Travel Council

Doug Burnett - Rathdrum

Western Interstate Higher Education  

Rep. Julie VanOrden - Pingree 
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