‘Give Rep. Ringo credit for creativity’

Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, said of Rep. Shirley Ringo’s proposal for higher ed funding, “This $25 million was put in from the general fund, and that was kind of an unofficial settlement of the schools lawsuit. The intention is certainly honorable. … But … in my opinion, puts the state at risk for reopening that lawsuit.” Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, “First of all, I’ve got to give Rep. Ringo credit for creativity. She never ceases to amaze me, because I think that’s a very creative approach.” But he said the school facilities fund is there for unsafe schools that local school districts can’t pass bonds to fix. Taking the money, he said, would be tantamount to saying Idaho has no more problem school buildings, and he said he’s not sure the state can say that.