Topics On My Mind: The Governor’s Plan
I want you to know I support Governor Little’s public education funding proposal for Idaho’s public schools and universities. Investing in public education is always worthwhile. It ensures every Idahoan has the opportunity to succeed in life.
The Governor’s plan is a comprehensive approach to improving public education in Idaho. It will benefit all of our citizens, particularly our students, teachers and support staff.
One of the key features of the plan is an increase in starting teacher pay and a strengthening of existing teacher pay. This is a crucial step in attracting and retaining talented and experienced educators. Based on current pay scales throughout the country, this proposal will bring Idaho’s starting teacher pay into the top 10 states in the nation. Additionally, the plan includes provisions to close the salary gap for support staff, which will help to ensure that all of our education professionals are fairly compensated for their hard work.
The plan also includes $30 million for IT development, which will help to modernize our schools and prepare our students for the workforce of the future. Furthermore, the plan provides $8,500 to graduating Idaho high school students to use for college, which will help make higher education more accessible for all. If passed, this money will be available to qualifying members of the Class of 2024.
The plan also invests $110 in community college and university infrastructure, which will help to ensure that our students have access to the best possible educational facilities. Additionally, the plan allocates almost $300 million dollars to repair bridges, airports, and pedestrian paths across the state, which will help improve transportation and accessibility for all Idaho citizens. In addition, these improvements support economic development and job creation.
The plan also invests $225 million in federal funds to improve broadband infrastructure, which will help to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Idahoans have access to the internet. Additionally, the plan includes $115 million dollars to support our water infrastructure, $100 million dollars to outdoor recreation, and $15 million dollars for childcare grants.
Lastly, the plan sets aside $120 million dollars for property tax mitigation, which will help to alleviate the burden of property taxes for many Idaho citizens.
Overall, I believe this plan is a strong step forward for our State, and I will be working to support its passage in the legislature. I urge you to voice your support for this plan as well. Together, we can work to improve public education and opportunities for all Idahoans. Learn More
We are at a Crossroads
We are at a crossroads when it comes to public education. Governor Little and many members of the Idaho Legislature — both Republicans and Democrats — support increasing funding for public education with our budget surpluses. We are at a critical juncture in our state’s history, and what we choose to do this legislative session will determine which path we take. Will it be one that creates economic opportunity and shared values that make Idaho a welcoming place for our children and grandchildren, or will it be one which leads to economic stagnation and squandered opportunity?
I explained above how I believe we achieve the former. I am deeply disappointed to see hard line opposition favoring the latter. The extreme wing of the Idaho Republican Party and its partner, the Idaho Freedom Foundation, favor a path that defunds public education and, ultimately, leads to its demise. It is clear they do not understand the importance of investing in our children’s future and how it will benefit our entire state.
GOP Chair Dorothy Moon has been rallying opposition to Governor Little’s plan within her own party. It is shocking to see the infighting play out so publicly. The vehicle Dorothy Moon, the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the extreme wing of the Idaho Legislature has decided to use is vouchers / Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Vouchers / ESAs will devastate our public schools, especially our rural communities’ public schools.
Governor Little’s plan is a smart and responsible approach to funding public education, and it will provide the resources our schools need to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education. It is a clear plan that aims for students to have the best, and every Idahoan should be able to benefit from it.
I will continue to fight for our public schools. Investing in our children is not only the right thing to do, it is also the best investment we can make for Idaho’s future.
A Personal Note: Esoteric Laws Have no Place in Idaho
Last Monday, I made the motion to “not print” a bill that would have removed the exceptions for rape and incest from Idaho’s recently upheld abortion law. I have heard from many women in my district about how challenging pregnancies can become. I was proud when the Senate State Affairs Committee supported my motion and voted to reject the bill.
This bill was introduced in an attempt “to protect women.” The proposed legislation, however, would have had the opposite effect. If we remove exceptions for rape and incest, we are denying any recourse for women and girls who have suffered through such horrific acts.
In fact, most countries worldwide allow abortion in cases of rape and/or incest, either through laws enumerating these grounds or by permitting abortion on request. We need to remember that this is about helping women who have been victimized by terrible acts—not punishing them further by having the state deny them the ability to seek medical treatment.