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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Rusche: Idaho Ed Funding Woeful

Minority Leader John Rusche (RE: Mendiola: Idaho education foundation is crumbling): I consider it woefully inadequate. We gave tax reductions of about $55M to businesses and high earners over the last two years. We are leaving almost $100 million on the table or stashed into "rainy day" accounts. If you correct for the increases in student numbers and for the effect of inflation, the higher number ($120 M) is understated. And that is just in k-12. Our per student State support for post secondary education is only 2/3 of what it was in 2008-9, or $3000 per student less. Colleges make up a lot of the difference in tuition and fee increases. Remember, Idaho is a low wage state too. Public school districts make up some in operational levies (now 94 of the 115 districts and well over $200 million each year) and by trying 4 day school weeks or more crowded classrooms.You tell me if $35 million is enough. It is only 1/10 of the amount the Education Taskforce recommended and about 30% of the known operational shortfall for 2015. I think it is awfully thin gruel to be called a good meal.

Thoughts?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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