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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Trib: Luna Gets Jeer, Too

In his year-end Cheers & Jeers column, Opinion Editor Marty Trillhaase also gave a party jeer to State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna:

The man responsible for 2012's biggest political debacle - the repeal of his heavy-handed, school overhaul bills aimed at steering tax dollars into the coffers of Luna's cronies - was up to his old tricks. Luna took $2.25 million in money state lawmakers assigned for one-time school technology projects and parlayed it into a five-year plan to install Wi-Fi in Idaho high schools - an obligation that could extend into 15 years and $33.75 million. Not only did this catch lawmakers flatfooted, but Luna's shop steered the contract toward Nashville, Tenn.-based Education Networks of America - over two Idaho firms, Ednetics of Post Falls and Tek-Hut Inc., of Twin Falls.ENA contributed $6,000 to Luna's campaign. Garry Lough, Idaho director of customer services for ENA, was the Idaho GOP executive director for two years and then worked as Luna's deputy of legislative affairs. Full Cheers & Jeers column here.

Question: Anyone think that Luna can be re-elected this year?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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