If he is successful, Rep. Ronald Nate will be credited for causing more harm to more Idaho children than any other lawmaker in the 21th Century — all to adhere to a misguided ideology. He won’t be alone. Nineteen of his colleagues, all Republican, have cosponsored an Amendment to the Idaho Constitution that would take money away from public schools while sending it to church schools. Of course, defunding public schools would be a disaster for children from low-income families in a state where a majority of children are low income.

10 of the 18 legislators who have co-sponsored this reckless attack on the Idaho Constitution and public school funding represent North Idaho:

• Rep. Boyle
• Rep. Cheatham
• Rep. Dixon
• Rep. Harris
• Rep. McMillan
• Rep. Mendive
• Rep. Nate
• Rep. Redman
• Rep. Scott
• Rep. Shepherd
• Rep. Sims
• Sen. Nuxoll
• Sen. Vick (via Regan)