• November 18, 2024 - OPINION: Idaho’s water future is flowing in the right direction

    To spend one’s life in agriculture is to be an optimist. As a life-long rancher, I try to greet each day with a positive mindset and a firm belief that I can handle whatever the day throws at me. I also firmly believe that there are virtually no problems, no conflicts, no disagreements that are […]

  • November 14, 2024 - Farmers got it done! New water agreement officially completed

    Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, and farmers across Idaho are celebrating the final completion of a new water agreement that protects Idaho agriculture, conserves water for future generations, and safeguards state sovereignty over our most precious resource. “It was a tough year of negotiations, but I never doubted our farmers […]

  • October 28, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke applauds the status of water negotiations for updated ESPA Mitigation Plan

    BOISE, Idaho – Today, the 2024 Natural Resources Interim Committee met at the Idaho State Capitol and heard from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) about the current status of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) Ground Water Management Plan and the ESPA Mitigation Plan. Lt. Governor Scott Bedke has served as a mediator, along […]

  • October 1, 2024 - Gov. Little, Lt. Gov. Bedke, water users confident in progress on new mitigation plan

    Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, and others commented today on the news that surface water users and groundwater users are nearing the finish line on a new mitigation plan, in keeping with the “Protecting Idaho Water Sovereignty Act” executive order issued in June.   “Farmers working together to determine our […]

  • September 23, 2024 - Little, Bedke oppose Biden-Harris “groundwater grab”

    Boise, Idaho – In a tersely worded letter to the White House today, Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke sent President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris a clear message – keep your hands off Idaho’s groundwater. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) sent out a request for information earlier […]

  • June 20, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke’s statement on the water user agreement reached for the 2024 growing season

    IDAHO – After weeks of negotiations between Idaho’s surface water users and groundwater districts, a compromise has been reached between the two groups that effectively ends the potential water curtailment order from the Idaho Department of Water Resources. This temporary agreement ensures that eastern Idaho’s farmers will continue to have access to water this growing […]

  • June 11, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke’s statement on ongoing water users’ negotiations for 2024’s water certainty

    IDAHO – Surface water and groundwater users are currently negotiating an agreement to avoid the water curtailment order from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). Lt. Governor Scott Bedke and Governor Brad Little have been actively working to facilitate these necessary discussions between Idaho’s surface water users and groundwater districts to find a compromise […]

  • June 6, 2024 - Little, Bedke, Crapo, Risch, Simpson comment on BLM decision on massive Lava Ridge wind farm

    JOINT NEWS RELEASE Office of Governor Brad Little Office of Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke Office of U.S. Senator Mike Crapo Office of U.S. Senator Jim Risch Office of Congressman Mike Simpson Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little, Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, and Congressman Mike Simpson reacted today […]

  • May 7, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke Urges Idahoans to Prepare for Federal REAL ID Act Deadline

    BOISE, Idaho – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke is urging Idahoans to prepare for the federal REAL ID Act deadline on May 7, 2025, exactly one year from today. Starting next May, any U.S. traveler that is 18 years and older will need a REAL ID, such as an Idaho Star Card, U.S. Passport, military identification, […]

  • May 2, 2024 - Rural Communities are the Backbone of Idaho

    FORT HALL, Idaho – More than 88% of Idaho is classified as rural, and these local communities and businesses are the backbone of our state. Lt. Governor Scott Bedke recently attended the Idaho Rural Success Summit in eastern Idaho, an annual event that is designed to offer resources to help the Gem State’s rural communities […]

  • May 1, 2024 - Idaho Needs Long-Term Plan for Water Management

    BOISE, Idaho – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke will be attending the Ada County Board of Commissioners’ Treasure Valley Water Summit today to discuss the importance of long-term planning for water management in Idaho. Planning ahead for the Gem State’s water usage is essential due to the state’s unique environmental and demographic challenges. Idaho faces a […]

  • April 21, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke Releases Statement on the Death of Idaho Sheriff Deputy

    BOISE, Idaho – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke has issued the following statement after the murder of Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy Tobin Bolter: “Sarah and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Ada County Sheriff’s Deputy, Tobin Bolter, who was killed in the line of duty in a senseless act of violence. We extend […]

  • March 26, 2024 - Lt. Governor Bedke Condemns Hate Incident in North Idaho

    Coeur d’Alene, IDAHO – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke has issued the following statement regarding an incident of hate and racism in Coeur d’Alene involving the University of Utah women’s basketball program during the NCAA March Madness Tournament: “I am disgusted and angry about the disturbing events in Coeur d’Alene that were directed against athletes, students, […]

  • March 5, 2024 - OPINION: A Billion Feet of Timber

    The Importance of Idaho’s Forests and Forestry Industry The Gem State is home to more than 21 million acres of dense and plentiful forests, covering roughly 41% of the state. Our forests provide watersheds for drinking water and habitats for wildlife. Many of us spend our free time there — hiking, ATV riding, camping, hunting, […]

  • January 31, 2024 - OPINION: We Must Stop Fentanyl Traffickers. House Bill 406 is Needed for Idaho

    There is a killer in our midst, hiding in plain sight. The dangerous and highly lethal drug fentanyl has made its way into Idaho and is killing our citizens in record numbers. In 2022, 49% of all overdose deaths in Idaho were related to fentanyl, and that number is likely underreported. We need to send […]

  • January 4, 2024 - OPINION: The Virtue Most Needed

    Each winter as the Christmas rush settles down and the new year is just around the corner, many of us begin to think about New Year’s resolutions. My thoughts also turn toward the coming legislative session. January is a time of renewed optimism and new resolve, as I anticipate how I can work with other […]

  • December 18, 2023 - OPINION: Ditch the secret backroom dam breaching deals. Let’s focus on common ground.

    By Governor Brad Little and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke The recent agreement between the Biden Administration and the states of Washington and Oregon and the tribes on dam breaching represents a missed opportunity. Instead of working together to find common ground, the signatories to the agreement pandered to their political supporters and paid no attention […]

  • December 11, 2023 - OPINION: Let’s Make Adoption Easier in Idaho

    This November, we observed National Adoption Month here in Idaho. This annual event honors the courageous birth parents who choose life for their babies and the adoptive parents who open their home to a new family member. Adoption is a bridge for those who are not ready to parent but still want to choose life […]

  • November 14, 2023 - OPINION: Idaho LAUNCH is Putting Idaho Students First

    I’ve been doing a lot of traveling this month. Autumn in Idaho is a beautiful season, rich with changing colors and the sure signs of winter right around the corner. Driving the state is challenging, just because of its sheer size and geographic diversity, but it’s also a visual treat. Every time I travel through […]

  • November 13, 2023 - OPINION: Eradicating the Quagga Mussels

    Water is invaluable. This finite resource is the lifeblood that supplies nearly everything we need in life. It irrigates our fields and generates our power, creating a lush and fruitful landscape where arid desert previously stood. However, there is one thing we need to remember about this precious commodity: In order to be useful, water […]

  • September 27, 2023 - OPINION: This Harvest Season, Thank an Idaho Farmer

    Fall is a season of transition. The summer heat and longer days start to fade, and the crisp air and changing leaves begin to arrive. The kids are back in school, football is back on weekends, and the holiday season is right around the corner. While all of this is true, to me, fall also […]

  • September 19, 2023 - Lt. Governor Scott Bedke on the Finding of Quagga Mussel Larvae in the Snake River

    TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke issued the following statement in response to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s (ISDA) confirmation that quagga mussel larvae have been found in the Centennial Waterfront Park area of the Snake River: “I am disappointed to learn that this invasive species has infiltrated the Snake River. This […]

  • September 12, 2023 - OPINION: “A Republic, Madam …”

    On the last day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was asked whether the government being proposed for the new nation was to be a republic or a monarchy. His now-famous retort was, “A Republic, Madam, if you can keep it.” Franklin knew how fragile this new union would be and how many […]

  • April 6, 2023 - OPINION: Idaho-Focused Accomplishments from the 2023 Legislative Session

    For more than 20 years, I have had the honor of spending the beginning of each new year at the Idaho Capitol, working hard to do right by those who entrusted me to be their voice at the Statehouse and to continue to make Idaho the best state in the nation to live, work, and […]

  • March 4, 2023 - Lt. Governor Scott Bedke on the Passing of Former Governor Phil Batt

    BOISE, Idaho – Lt. Governor Scott Bedke issued the following statement on the passing of former Idaho Governor Phil Batt: “Governor Phil Batt was the embodiment of a dedicated public servant. A man of fairness and decency, Gov. Batt served our community with a commitment to protect our lands, fight for human rights, and ensure […]

  • January 9, 2023 - Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke Applauds Governor’s Priorities

    Boise, Idaho – Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke issued the following statement after Governor Brad Little’s 2023 State of the State and Budget Address today. “Working together, our citizens, businesses, and state leaders have positioned Idaho to become the strongest state in the country,” said Lt. Governor Bedke. “I agree with Governor Little that our combined […]

  • January 6, 2023 - Scott Bedke Publicly Sworn in as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho

    BOISE, Idaho – Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke was publicly sworn into office as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Idaho on January 6, 2023. The Lieutenant Governor joined fellow Idaho constitutional officers on the Idaho Capitol’s steps on Friday afternoon for the official swearing-in ceremony. “As your Lieutenant Governor, I pledge to support […]