Update: SB 1108 has passed the Senate on a rather close 20-15 vote, with bipartisan opposition. The Senate has now moved immediately to take up SB 1110, the teacher performance pay bill.

“I've received more email on this bill than any other bill in my years in the Legislature,” Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, told the Senate. “We need more time to look at this. … We need more time. What is the rush?”
Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, who repeatedly objected to debate that was offered by Democratic senators on the motion that Davis said was actually debate on the bill, said Bock's argument - great public interest - is a reason to vote on the bill now. “I urge you to vote against the motion,” he said. ... The motion to delay debate of SB 1108 indefinitely then was defeated on a straight party-line vote/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Complete Idaho Statesman Twitter this AM
• Broadsword: 'Slap in the face to every ... teacher'
• Hammond: 'Building a new paradigm for education'
• Keough: 'Undermine our efforts to truly put students first'
• Mortimer: 'Our school boards are in a very difficult position'
• Debate: 'Hit the heart of every teacher'
• Bilyeu: 'Punishing teachers ... the public knows it'
• Corder: 'We destabilized our education funding'
• Lefavour: 'Open season on those people"
• Debate: 'How mean-spirited this bill appears to be'
• Goedde: 'This bill's time has come'

Question: Are you as surprised as I am that Hammond, a former school principal and erstwhile moderate, is embracing Tom Luna's radical plan?