The most influential member of the Idaho House of Representatives — Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star (pictured) — and six committee chairmen say the merit-pay bill passed by the House 44-26 on Wednesday doesn’t add up. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter can’t responsibly sign Senate Bill 1110, a key part of state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna’s education reform package, until he knows there will be enough revenue available to cover it in the near future. “Every single statutory element has to fit within the revenues,” said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, on Wednesday. “I budget now 18 months out, and I couldn’t see the strength that will be there in the economy at that point” to cover the bill’s added expense of $38 million in the first year and $51.3 million each subsequent year"/Twin Falls Times-News Editorial Board. More here.

Question: House Education Chairman Bob Nonini bristled at the notion that the merit pay portion of Tom Luna's education "reform" plan is an unfunded mandate? Majority Leader Mike Moyle says there's no funds for merit pay. So what should we call the bill that the House passed this week?