The Idaho Education Network's broadband program to schools, aimed at keeping rural school districts current with their technology, has turned into a modern day version of Laurel & Hardy. Somewhere, Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter must be saying, "Well, this is another fine mess you got me into." The governor's broadband program, the crowning education achievement of his administration, could become a dismal failure if the Legislature doesn't take some quick action. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News reports that the Legislature has a couple of weeks to come up with $1.6 million to cover costs through June 30, or face the possibility of losing the program. Because of legal woes, the state has not been paying its bills to providers and collectors want their money."It would certainly be within their right to pull the plug," former Sen. John Goedde, who was hired by Otter to work on the broadband case, told reporters after meeting with legislative budget writers/Chuck Malloy, Idaho Political Weekly. More here.

Question: What do you think is at the root of the IEN mess?