State Senate

Idaho Education Network audit raises questions

BOISE – A service audit of the Idaho Education Network is raising troubling questions about the pricey statewide broadband and videoconferencing network that links Idaho’s high schools. Looking specifically at the videoconferencing portion of the network, the report from the state’s legislative audits division found that $3.35 million was spent on the now state-owned equipment, but roughly 6 percent of it couldn’t be located, and 53 percent of it isn’t being used. When school districts are using the videoconferencing equipment, they’re mostly not using it for classes specifically provided over the IEN, and the number of those classes has been declining over recent years. Only 2 percent of students served by the IEN are taking classes that are broadcast specifically on the network.

Eye on Boise: ‘Instant racing’ terminals concern some lawmakers

Idaho legislative leaders say they’re concerned about the slot machine-like “instant racing” terminals that are cropping up around the state, including at the Greyhound Park in Post Falls. The machines were authorized under a 2013 law aimed at allowing pari-mutuel betting on past horse races. “I think the extent of it maybe is a surprise, how fast it’s growing, and exactly what they’re doing,” said Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg. “The machines have been upgraded a lot since what we saw.”

Otter hires Goedde to work on IEN project through 2015 legislative session

North Idaho loses power in new Legislature

BOISE – When the Idaho Legislature convenes in January, it’ll have just one committee chairman from North Idaho: new House Business Committee Chairman Vito Barbieri of Dalton Gardens. “I look forward to the opportunity of serving in this capacity, that’s for sure,” Barbieri said after he was named to the post during the Legislature’s organizational session on Thursday. “I’m going to address it seriously.”

Turnout meant some incumbents were defeated by tiny slices of electorate

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Mortimer eyes Senate Ed chairmanship

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Newcomers sweep North Idaho elections

Even as a push from the right to take over the Idaho Republican Party was falling short at the state level, it was succeeding beyond expectations in North Idaho, where two longtime state lawmakers were dumped in Tuesday’s GOP primary. A third incumbent was turned out after just one term, and four arch-conservative incumbents whose challengers were endorsed by GOP Gov. Butch Otter cruised to victory in a low-turnout election that saw one in four registered state voters cast a ballot.

Idaho schools broadband contract extension through 2019 surprises lawmakers

BOISE – Idaho lawmakers who agreed under pressure this week to pay $6.6 million to a broadband contractor say they were dismayed and alarmed to learn that the state last year extended the contract through 2019 without informing them. The contract extension with Nashville, Tenn.-based Education Networks of America to operate the Idaho Education Network through 2019 is worth $10 million. The original five-year contract wasn’t up for renewal until January of this year, but the state Department of Administration opted to renew it in January 2013.

Proposed alternative budget would benefit Idaho schools

BOISE – Idaho could spend tens of millions more on public schools, raise pay for teachers and state workers, and restore services to the poor and disabled – all while still balancing its budget next year with 10 percent to spare, the state’s former longtime chief economist said Monday. Mike Ferguson joined with two former state school superintendents – Jerry Evans, a Republican, and Marilyn Howard, a Democrat – to release an alternative state budget that would boost school spending next year by 8.3 percent, instead of Gov. Butch Otter’s proposed 2.9 percent. The three were joined by two members of Otter’s school reform task force, urging lawmakers to consider the plan.

Mary: To the victors go the spoils

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Panel recommends pay hikes for Idaho workers

BOISE – Idaho lawmakers on a special legislative committee voted unanimously Friday to give state workers pay boosts averaging 2 percent next year, despite Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation for no funding for raises. A joint legislative committee recommended 1 percent for one-time bonuses and 1 percent for permanent boosts. The pay would be distributed by agency directors based on merit and other factors, and agencies also would be encouraged to tap salary savings to give additional merit boosts.

Huckleberries: Domino’s Pizza offer doesn’t make the grade

That flier from Domino’s Pizza seeking teachers to deliver pizzas and serve as customer reps part time received mixed reviews in the Coeur d’Alene High teachers’ lounge last week. Coeur d’Alene Domino’s wants teachers who like to make extra money delivering pizza after school while “driving around listening to their favorite music.”

Idaho House, Senate education chairs urge support for Idaho core standards

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