Idaho Democrats are disappointed in the way Coeur d’Alene Reps. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene and Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, dismissed their Rural Teacher Loan Forgiveness Bill at a town hall meeting over the weekend.

Both Amador and Malek responded to a community member’s concern that the teacher shortage is a pressing issue in rural areas, but were unsure if debt forgiveness would be the answer.

“There are opportunities out there that already exist for teachers to have student debt forgiven,” Amador said. “I don’t know that it’s a bad idea, but I don’t think it’s necessarily a solution to our teacher shortage.”

“It was disappointing to hear that they weren’t in support for such a bill for rural teacher recruitment,” said Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, who has been spearheading the legislation. “I would love to see them turn around and support this legislation because it really needs to be addressed”/Bethany Blitz, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

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