‘Plenty for all of us to dislike’

There were lots of questions about various clauses of the school budget intent language, particularly from Democrats on the committee. Among the clauses are one that would forbid any discretionary funds to school districts next year from being used for any pay raises for employees; one that would temporarily free schools from the requirement to use their state lottery funds for building maintenance, instead allowing them to use it as they choose; and another that would suspend for one year payments for those who achieve “master teacher” certification, instead shifting that money to discretionary funds. “I really hope that the districts that can will honor that in their discretionary funds,” said Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow. “There’s plenty for all of us to dislike,” responded Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert. The mood of the committee is somber, nearly three hours into today’s budget-setting.

Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls, asked for unanimous consent on the intent language, but Sen. Diane Bilyeu, D-Pocatello, objected. Hammond then made a motion to approve the nine pages of intent language on the fiscal year 2011 budget. He said the document reflects what education stakeholders wanted, but Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, said, “This does include many things that I’m quite certain they didn’t ask for.” The motion passed on a 15-4, party-line vote.