Allred was all right

Surprise! Idaho has an $85 million surplus. This certainly is no surprise to Keith Allred, who predicted exactly this outcome during his 2010 campaign for governor.

Allred stated, “Governor Otter’s decision to cut education funding by 7.5 percent or $128 million ignored this critical responsibility of state government. Governor Otter told us that we had no choice. There were two good choices that I would have made to keep our K-12 education budget whole. First, four evidence-based projections said we’ll realize more than $80 million in increased revenue next year. Governor Otter ignored these projections. I would have budgeted on evidence, not on gloom. Second, the Tax Commission reported that if they were given additional staff they could net $60 million in increased revenue by going after tax deadbeats. Governor Otter chose to cut Tax Commission staff. With this $140 million in available revenue, I would have kept education whole.”

It is clear that the ruthless gutting of Idaho’s educational system was unnecessary. We had a wise and visionary man telling us just that. If we have the good fortune to see Keith Allred make another run for governor, let’s hope we’re smart enough to elect him this time.

Mary Ann High

Grangeville, Idaho