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Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde calls the bills a “toned-down” rewrite of Students Come First’s collective bargaining language. Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, called it “Luna laws (version) 2.0.”

The Education Task Force spent the morning listening to local and national experts talk about what works in education. The task force then spent the afternoon in five working groups, brainstorming ideas for improving student achievement.

Bill sponsor Rep. Reed DeMordaunt says without action, schools face a $30.6 million penalty following repeal.

Superintendent Tom Luna proposes an increase in overall education funding, an increase in teacher pay and he recommends funding the ideas produced by the governor’s education task force.

Schools chief Tom Luna says money left in limbo because of Students Come First repeal must return to funding schools.

It may sound like a lawyer-joke punchline, but it’s not. The University of Idaho says the state isn’t producing enough lawyers — imposing a “hidden tax” on Idahoans who need legal help.

Education committees will hold a joint session to listen to public testimony. Each speaker will have three minutes. The House Ed Committee will consider a bill that protects cursive handwriting. In other news, students enjoyed MLK Day events Monday at the Statehouse.

Idaho budget writers will spend this week hearing budget requests for public schools and higher education. Gov. Butch Otter has already asked lawmakers to increase public school spending next year. The budget request hearing for K-12 public schools is Thursday.