State asks judge to reconsider ruling voiding $60 million IEN contract

The Otter Administration is asking an Ada County judge to reconsider his ruling that the $60 million Idaho Education Network broadband contract was issued illegally and is void, reports Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News. Richert reports that the private attorneys for the state filed a 12-page motion Tuesday asking 4 ^th District Judge Patrick Owen to either clarify or reconsider his decision; you can read his full report here .

The legal problems have thrown into limbo a broadband network that serves 219 high schools across Idaho, and already have cost the state millions. The judge ruled that then-state Department of Administration Director Mike Gwartney illegally cut Syringa Networks out of the contract in 2009 in favor of Qwest, now CenturyLink, and Education Networks of America, both of which are big donors to Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s campaigns.