Legislature
Legislative roundup, 4.22.21: House passes new “nondiscrimination” bill after marathon day of debates
This bill could break the legislative logjam budget debates have created. And that could bring an end to a historically long session that costs taxpayers more each day.
Legislative roundup, 4.21.21: Anti-sectarianism bill gets a rewrite; McGeachin’s indoctrination task force takes shape
In other news, the Idaho Lottery will continue to offer the Powerball game, which provides dividends to public schools.
Legislative roundup, 4.20.21: Anti-sectarianism bill abruptly yanked
The debate over social justice and critical race theory has all but brought education budgeting to a dead stop, as the legislative session enters its 100th day.
Legislative roundup, 4.19.21: New bill targets sectarianism, critical race theory
The bill is the latest salvo in a debate that has brought education budget bills to a standstill.
Legislative roundup, 4.16.21: House passes higher ed free speech bill
Some Republicans say the Protecting Critical Thinking in Higher Education Act, which gives students added grounds to sue colleges and professors, could be the linchpin to passing a higher ed budget.
Analysis: Little and Ybarra duck and dodge raging social justice debate
Other education leaders recognize the moment. This debate is about what happens in the classroom — and the claims, advanced by the Idaho Freedom Foundation and its legislative allies, that Idaho schools are becoming havens of liberal indoctrination.
Legislative roundup, 4.14.21: Senate goes on recess, saying, ‘We can’t move forward’
In a less-than-subtle rebuke of the House, the Senate wrapped up its floor session late Wednesday morning, and said it won’t reconvene until next week.
Legislative roundup, 4.13.21: House votes down teacher salary bill
The largest of the state’s K-12 budget bills, the teacher pay bill, now goes back to the drawing board. Opponents want language restricting schools from addressing social justice topics in the classroom.
Green: ‘Misinformation and half-truths’ threaten higher education funding
University of Idaho President C. Scott Green is urging alumni and business leaders to speak up for higher education funding. A critic of the higher education budget dismissed Green’s attacks as “spin.”
Legislative roundup, 4.12.21: Senate narrowly passes early education grant
The 18-17 vote kicks the controversial $6 million grant back to the House, which rejected an earlier version of the bill in March.