In brief: Lawmakers unveil teacher salary plan

Idaho lawmakers unveiled a new salary model Thursday that would allow teachers to forgo some job security for more pay – a proposal that could add nearly $80 million to the education budget over four years.

House Bill 294 aims to better teachers’ salaries and make it easier to fire bad instructors, say its sponsors, House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, and Senate President Pro Tem Bob Geddes, R-Soda Springs. The idea is to offer teachers more pay to lure them away from traditional tenure tracks.

The Idaho Education Association has said it will fight plans to make teachers give up continuing contracts.

While sponsors have worked with administrators, teachers have “not been involved in the nuts and bolts of this at this point,” Bedke said. “But the invitation is there,” he said. “We realize that we’re messing in their livelihood.”

House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, said the committee will discuss the bill Wednesday morning. “It’s innovative thinking,” he said.

Move to trim cuts for businesses fails

Dissenters in the House tried to amend legislation sponsored by the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry on Thursday that phases in a $100 million property tax break for businesses, but the move fell short.

All 19 House Democrats were joined by seven Republicans in backing the amendment to HB 245, the IACI-sponsored bill to eliminate the personal property tax on business equipment. But with just 26 of 70 House members backing the move, it failed, and amendments supported by House GOP leadership and IACI passed instead, making only minor changes in the bill.

The failed amendment would have trimmed the business tax cut back to just its first year, in which an estimated 81 percent of Idaho businesses would be relieved of all personal property tax. That would exempt personal property up to $50,000 at each business from taxes. The amendment also called for the state to reimburse counties for the cost, which would be just under $10 million, rather than shift it to other property taxpayers in the county.

HB 245 as written would shift that first-year cost to other property taxpayers, then have the state pick up the cost for bigger breaks in subsequent years, adding up to nearly $100 million a year by 2015.

Teacher loan bill back in committee

A measure to pay for a portion of college loans for teachers in “high need” fields stalled in the House on Thursday when lawmakers voted to return it to committee for improvements.

Opponents said HB 203, a proposal pushed by the Idaho State Board of Education, contains loopholes and might benefit teachers without real financial need. The bill aims to attract more high-demand teachers in fields such as math and science to Idaho schools. It would offer teachers as much as $20,000 each over four years, costing $7.5 million total over five years.

House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, said he supports the proposal and will try to salvage it in committee. It’s embarrassing that Idaho ranks among the worst in the nation for providing financial aid to students, he said.

The bill was partially prompted by the Legislature’s decision to toughen high school graduation requirements this year, said Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise. “The real answer is we need to raise the teachers’ salaries, and we need to do that up front,” he said.

Post Falls

Biker bowling benefit planned

Motorcycle enthusiasts are looking to fill food bank shelves in Post Falls by holding a benefit bowling event this weekend.

The Winter Biker Bowling fundraiser has attracted 50 to 60 people in the past, said organizer Mary Jane Honegger.

Children are welcome at the event, which will be 6 p.m. Saturday at River City Lanes in Post Falls. The event is sponsored by Taco Chic Salsa, Road House Cycles and the Hot Rod Café.

It takes two cans of food and $7 to bowl two games, and shoe rentals are included.

Spokane

Agreement signed for river cleanup

About 50 people turned out Wednesday for the signing of an intergovernmental agreement to clean up the Spokane River with improved sewage treatment.

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession said it was “a great day for environmentally sensitive people.” Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard called the signing a “momentous occasion” that will promote economic development as well as cleaner water.

“This is the beginning of something good,” said Stevens County Commissioner Tony Delgado, who attended on behalf of constituents he said now have “certain fears” about swimming and fishing in Lake Spokane.

Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke said the key is reduction of phosphorus in the river by the governments that discharge treated effluent into the river: Spokane County and the cities of Spokane and Liberty Lake.

Mielke said county officials hope the new sewage treatment plant they plan to construct will increase rates no more than $10 a month.