the unequivocal notion

Great op-ed by Democratic Senator Dick Sagness.

Check it out below.

Continue reading Let’s put a temporary moratorium on new charter schools

While it is currently in vogue for Republicans to use the term “Democrat Party” it really isn’t grammatically correct*. So, for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to use it speaks volumes about the man who heads up education in Idaho.

What is especially ironic is this quote from Sup. Luna; “Elections have consequences”.

Indeed they do.

*not that I am one to judge when it comes to grammar.

Sounds like he may be considering it.

Although I wouldn’t put it past them to try and pull a fast one.

Awesome comment that was left last night at Eye On Boise.

Sharon Fisher writing at New West Boise.

Leave it to Idaho Republicans to use the current economic conditions as an excuse to pull out the ‘ole wish list.

Wizzow.

I’ll have more on this once I get a chance to digest it all.

Updated:

Read up at 43rd State Blues.

Barely (5-4) — kinda surprised that it made it this far.

Wanna guess who probably has a problem with this?

I’m almost assured enough in that statement to leave the question mark off.

For the last month or so there has been some serious rumblings about Tom Luna throwing his name into the ring for what promises to be a heated and very divisive GOP primary for the 1st CD. As of yet, there is nothing concrete, merely rumblings, rumors and innuendo — so take it for what you will. There is one mention, Luna’s name is mentioned in an article from TheHill.com talking about the 1st CD.

This is primarily why I don’t think that Bill Sali is going to see his campaign through — I think he’ll raise some cash in order to pay down his campaign debt and then pull out. I’m not putting much weight into his filing last week, after all, Sali has yet to even say if he is going to run or not and has no known functioning campaign apparatus.

Continue reading Tom Luna to run for 1st CD?

I think that the Idaho Freedom Foundation should do some revising to its “Our Mission” page.

These people all have one PERSON in common… see if you can guess WHO it is!

It’s like a fun, homeschool learning game!

Wayne Hoffman — former journalist, campaign flackster, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Ag.,  Department of Education and former Rep. Bill Sali.

Heather Lauer — former partner at DCI Group, a strategic public affairs and global issues management firm (read: lobbying firm) out of DC and Phoenix that has done extensive lobbying for K-12 Inc.

Briana LeClaire — President of The Coalition for Idaho Charter School Families. Noted admirer of Ron Paul and friend of the Idaho Values Alliance.

Funny thing is… this is just the tip of the proverbial-K-12 Inc-charter-school iceberg.

Check out exchange between Dept. of Admin Director Mike Gwartney, Rep. Bell and Sen. Cameron from an article about funding the “Idaho Education Network”.

This is a great piece from the Times-News:

[...]

Right now, however, Department of Administration Director Mike Gwartney needs $100,000 in the form of a current-year supplemental appropriation to beat a mid-February deadline to make an application for federal matching funds to keep the project on track.

In a tough budget year, that relatively small amount may be impossible to find.

“I frankly don’t know where the money’s going to come from,” said Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, co-chairman of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. “This is not the year to start new programs.”

“It’s a good plan. It should be done,” echoed JFAC Co-chairman Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, but “putting an additional amount of money into a budget is unrealistic.”

Undaunted, Gwartney on Friday said he has found a “legal way around” the Legislature if it refuses the request. He said state law allows him to issue an executive order to enter a contract and accept bids if “it’s in the best interest of the state.”

“If I don’t get the supplemental, I will take that action,” said Gwartney.

Bell and Cameron both expressed surprise at Gwartney’s statement. Cameron said appropriations are subject to the Legislature as expressed by the Idaho Constitution.

“He may think he’s above the Constitution but I assure you he’s not,” Cameron said. “It would behoove him to carefully think things through before taking that action.”

[...]

Man, when that funnel gets cut off tempers start to heat up a little bit.

Sen. Geddes, Rep. Nonini and Nampa Rep. Crane are all on Idaho Talks Live talkin’ about education funding this morning. Issue one seems to be that they want Idahoans to know that Idaho Republicans really do care about education funding, really, they do. Really… honestly.

Is it only  me, or does anyone else find it very scary that Superintendent Tom Luna is in charge of education in Idaho — especially during economic times like these?

Updated:

Speaking of…

Gooding charter school flap prompts legislation

BOISE - Idaho lawmakers are quietly working on legislation they hope will prevent the spread of the kind of friction seen recently between proponents of charter schools and traditional schools in Gooding.

A group of Magic Valley lawmakers and a lobbyist for charter school supporters on Monday held an informal private meeting to discuss the uproar in Gooding caused by the transfer of 10 percent of Gooding School District students to North Valley Academy, which opened in August last year.

[...]