Little’s week: special session negotiations and coronavirus updates

Gov. Brad Little’s week boils down to two recurring topics: a special legislative session, and the status of Idaho’s coronavirus reopening plan.

Little has a standing meeting every afternoon this week with Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill and House Speaker Scott Bedke. The three Republicans discussed a special session by phone Sunday afternoon.

The daily meetings appear on Little’s weekly calendar, obtained by Idaho Education News through a public records request.

As Little’s calendar suggests, the special session is a work in progress. Lawmakers could discuss a civil liability waiver, legislation that would protect schools and other entities from a lawsuit stemming from a coronavirus case. Lawmakers could look at legislation pertaining to the November election, or a bill stripping health districts of their authority to close public schools.

Under the state Constitution, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor sets the agenda. Little has said he will convene a special session next week — and he will issue a proclamation this week listing the topics that will be up for discussion.

Little’s calendar includes a couple of recurring fixtures. At noon Tuesday, he will field coronavirus questions during a virtual town hall, sponsored by AARP Idaho. At noon Friday, he will hold another news conference updating the status of the Idaho Rebounds coronavirus reopening plan. Little has held biweekly news conferences all summer — but since June, the state has remained frozen at stage four of the reopening plan.

 

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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