Popkey: JFAC Budget Hearing Hits Mark

It may have taken 92 years, but the Idaho Legislature got something very, very right Friday. For the first time since the House-Senate budget-writing committee formed in 1919, it heard testimony from ordinary Idahoans. It was a smash hit. More than 500 people showed up to voice their views on K-12 education. Nearly 80 had three minutes to look committee members in the eye and speak. Most focused on the sweeping reform plan authored by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and backed by Gov. Butch Otter. Thanks to streaming, another 600 watched online, as many as viewed Otter’s State of the State address/ Dan Popkey , Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Will Idaho legislators and the budget committee have second thoughts about Superintendent Tom Luna’s radical education reform proposals in view of all the opposition voiced by the public Friday?