Idaho Senate Passes “Fix It” Bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate voted unanimously for the so-called "fix it" bill, a $30 million measure that restores funding to public education that had been eliminated when voters rejected the "Students Come First" propositions last November.

After Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter signs the measure, as he's expected to do, more than than $30 million would go toward teacher salaries, dual credit courses, technology and professional development. Education groups including the Idaho Education Association and the Idaho School Boards Association all backed the plan.

The money contained in it addresses issues that weren't at the core of the dispute over Students Come First. Sen. John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene, the Republican chairman of the Education Committee, characterized the measure as a must-pass proposal. He said Friday lawmakers owed it to school kids.