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Senate Commerce hears Joshua Whitworth for PERSI board; minutes approved by voice vote
Summary
Joshua Whitworth, executive director of the State Board of Education, introduced himself to the Idaho Senate Commerce Committee as a gubernatorial nominee to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho board; committee approved prior minutes and said it will vote on the appointment next Tuesday.
Joshua Whitworth, the gubernatorial nominee to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho board and executive director of the State Board of Education, introduced himself to the Idaho Senate Commerce Committee and answered questions about pension funding and cost-of-living adjustments.
Whitworth told the committee, “I am a fourth generation Idaho from Mackey, Idaho,” and described a background in ranching and business that he said informs his approach to public service. He said he supports conservative investment and benefit policies for PERSI and emphasized communication about the system’s finances.
Senator Guthrie raised constituent complaints about recent cost-of-living adjustments and asked how the board communicates those decisions. Guthrie said, “I’m getting several emails from people who are upset because the call is not worth not keeping up with cost of living,” and added he could not remember “if it was 1 and a half percent or something that they got.” Whitworth responded that the board takes those concerns seriously, said he is new to the role, and pointed to better outreach as an area for attention.
Whitworth provided the committee a current funding figure, saying, “I asked the team today, you know, how far are we funded? And we’re 87% today.” He described PERSI’s culture as conservative on expanding benefits and said that, in his view, that conservatism has helped keep the system well funded compared with some other plans.
The committee did not vote on the appointment at the hearing. Chairman Foreman told Whitworth, “the committee will meet next Tuesday to vote on your appointment.”
As the last item on the agenda, the committee approved the minutes from its Jan. 23, 2025 meeting. Senator Leahy moved to approve the minutes and was seconded by Senator Lenny; the committee carried the motion by voice vote. The clerk recorded the motion as approved, with individual roll-call tallies not recorded.
The hearing consisted of the nominee’s introduction, questions from committee members about communication and funding, and the procedural approval of minutes. The committee scheduled a formal vote on the nomination for its next meeting.
