"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." --Sydney J. Harris
The Senate is substantially ahead of the House in completing legislative work, so we have recessed from Wednesday, April 14 to Monday, April 19. The committee that puts together budgets for the state did its work and sent bills to the House for approval, but the House has voted down budget after budget. In some cases, the House sponsor of a budget bill has even debated against it, which is unheard of. Idaho has over $600 million in our general fund, plus approximately $200 million in the online tax fund so there is simply no excuse for the House continuing to vote down budgets to fund education. It defies logic.
House Republicans Voted Down Higher Education Budget
Some members of the legislature have been agitating to control the curriculum at our higher education institutions. After negotiation within the committee, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee sent to Senate floor a budget for higher education in our state that took money from Boise State University and moved that money to Lewis-Clark State College in response to that agitation. The Senate passed the appropriations bill, but the House, unfortunately, voted the bill down. This sends the legislature back to the drawing board as we have a constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget.
Discussions are ongoing, but currently anticipated cuts to Idaho's higher education budget totals $2.5 million, with BSU losing $1.5 million and Idaho State University and University of Idaho losing $500,000 each. Cuts like these would reduce instructional capacity, the quality of public service, maintenance of facilities, investments in technology, and more.
Further, the demands that some members of the legislature have made could result in loss of accreditation for BSU or any impacted institution of higher education. This would be a tremendous blow to Idaho students, families, businesses, and sports programs. No BSU football team.
House Republicans Voted Down Public School Teachers' Pay
The House, on a tie vote, voted down H354, the budget for public school teachers' pay, on Tuesday. This is the biggest portion of Idaho's school budget and included funding for well-deserved raises. Our public school teachers always work hard and never harder than this year with all of the changes and challenges brought by circumstances beyond their control. Opponents of this funding bill argued that they are concerned about our teachers indoctrinating children, but failed to provide evidence that this is happening in Idaho.
Kindergarten Not Moving Forward
I am very disappointed to report that the legislature will not vote on optional full day kindergarten this year. Senator Ward-Engelking and Representative Nash, among others, worked hard to make this a reality for Idaho families, students, and schools, but the COVID recess and other obstacles kept it from happening this year.
Early Childhood Funding Barely Passes Senate
Earlier this session, the House voted against accepting a federal grant approved by the Trump administration for $6 millions per year for three years. This grant would fund local co-operatives working to improve literacy outcomes for young Idahoans. We know that this has important ramifications for the long-term educational achievements for students. Objections centered around myths that the grant would fund social justice education and other topics that are not part of this program.
The grant has been brought back to the legislature for re-consideration with some changes in how it is administered and revised intent language. It passed the Senate by just one vote after a lengthy debate and will now go to the House for consideration of the revised bill. Supporters of the grant include Senator Crapo, Senator Risch, Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry, US Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Food Producers, Simplot, and Idaho Businesses for Education. Idahoans also strongly support improved early childhood education, so it is troubling to see so much opposition to this funding in the legislature.
