Richert: Tea Partiers Eye School Election

Meridian voters have a long record of supporting school levies — in one-sided but little-noticed elections. In March 2009, for instance, voters gave 74 percent approval to a two-year, $20 million levy. Only 7,136 people voted. Eleven months ago, the cash-strapped district got the voters’ consent to move $4 million from a plant facilities levy into daily operations. The majority was a whopping 89 percent, but only 7,818 voters cast ballots. So here’s a safe prediction: I’d expect a bigger turnout on May 17, when voters are asked to approve a two-year, $37 million levy for day-to-day operations. This election will be a bellwether for the state’s largest school district, and to some extent, for Idaho’s other 114 districts. Two big political megatrends are at play here: the tea party, anti-tax increase sentiment and the ongoing furor surrounding the Students Come First K-12 overhaul/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: In Kootenai County, Tea Party members were walking precincts last weekend in support of candidates in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Tea Partiers are trying to win spots on local school boards and highway districts. Are you paying attention and planning to vote in these elections?