Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has laryngitis, so a deputy was allowed to sit with him to help him communicate. "The attorney general as you know is a lawyer and has lost his voice," Gov. Butch Otter declared to laughter, prompting Secretary of State Ben Ysursa to quip, "Which one's Edgar Bergen, which one's Charlie McCarthy?" Otter said a two-hour time has been set for the meeting, but at least five people have indicated they have testimony to offer; among them is former state schools Supt. Marilyn Howard, who's in the audience.

The meeting has now begun with comments from Supt. Tom Luna, who's highlighting gains Idaho's made in student achievement, with investments in programs including reading and math initiatives. "These are amazing results," Luna said. "Our students have made significant gains in the last two years."

---

---