Idaho finally made it. We are now ranked dead last in the nation for the amount of money we devote toward the education of each of our children. It only took two decades of Republican leadership to get us here. Don't get the wrong impression. Even as Cecil D. Andrus was wrapping up 24 years of Democratic governors in 1994, Idaho traditionally occupied the cellar with states such as Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah. But we usually ranked a good half-dozen notches above last place. In the era launched by Republican Gov. Phil Batt and continuing with his successors - Dirk Kempthorne, Jim Risch and C.L. (Butch) Otter) -- Idaho's ranking began to slip behind those Southern states. We finally plateaued at 50th - out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia -- just ahead of Utah. Until now/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Does this mean congratulations are in order for Gov. Butch Otter and dominant Idaho GOP legislators for making Idaho into the Mississippi of the USA in terms of education spending?