Agidius would like to reimplement a previous Idaho program that allowed state employees to spend two hours every month to volunteer in their child’s classroom. In a place like Moscow, which has a large population of state employees, this would let parents see what teachers are dealing with at their schools and have a better understanding of what their child is being taught.
The candidates have differing thoughts on Latah County’s jail situation. The county is now transporting inmates to Nez Perce County jail in Lewiston because Latah County’s 53-year-old facility is outdated and has a number of fire safety, electrical and plumbing deficiencies.
Agidius supports building a new jail in Latah County, but does not know if now is the right time for it. Building a jail may require voters to pass a bond, which may be unpopular if the Moscow School District also attempts to pass a bond at the same time.
She prefers funding the facility by using a local option tax. Agidius said she would work on making that available, even though local option taxes are not popular at the statehouse.
Bennett said he would not do anything about the new jail unless the county presents a 20-year plan to avoid being in this situation again. He criticized the county’s failure to save money for this project over the years.
“What are you going to do so that 20 years from now my kids aren’t asked to bail you out again?” he said.
There are issues that both candidates agree on. For example, both agree that Idaho was put into a difficult position of having to make spending cuts to conform with the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Agidius said the state is going to deal with the aftermath of cuts to disability programs and schools for several years.
Both candidates want restrictions on Idaho’s Medicaid programs to prevent Medicaid’s budget from ballooning. Agidius said an influx of people are entering Idaho specifically for disability money because there is no waiting list. Bennett said he would like to attach work requirements for able body adults who are on Medicaid.
