Trib: Nellis Left Footprint In The Sand

In Idaho, the political environment toward education at all levels ranges between neglect on a good day and contempt on a bad day. Outside Idaho’s college towns, higher education simply is not a priority. During the past four years, there have been more bad days - budgets have been slashed as often as not to free up cash for tax cuts. With fewer resources from the state, the UI boosted student tuition, pricing a college degree - or at least spending four years at a remote, residential campus - beyond the reach of many middle-class Idaho families. Higher education may be a prerequisite to surviving in a modern economy, but the message isn’t getting through in a culture where three-quarters of parents did not complete college themselves. More here.

Question: Why do Idaho GOP leaders largely ignore higher education?