"This is landmark legislation" Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, told the Senate as he opened debate. "SB 1184 sets the new normal in public education funds. It is a policy bill." He said, "We wish we were working under different circumstances. ... We have to do things differently, and we do not have more money right now." So, he said, the state must spend its existing school funds differently. "We must adapt or we risk becoming irrelevant."

He touted the "1-to-1 laptop program" in the bill, which calls for a laptop computer for every high school student in the state within five years. "Research has shown 1-to-1 ratio in the classroom helps improve student achievement," Goedde said. He said whether this bill passes or not, schools will receive a funding cut.