Talks Continue on Idaho Education Budget Deal

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Senators and representatives met over a potential 2013 session-ending deal on the stalled $1.3 billion education budget. First, senators including President Pro Tem Brent Hill of Rexburg and Dean Cameron of Rupert made the pilgrimage Monday to House Speaker Scott Bedke's suite for a closed-door meeting. Then, senators left Bedke's chambers, some through a back door, for further meetings on their side of the Capitol. At stake: A solution to the impasse that canceled adjournment of the Legislature last Friday. Catalyst for this delay was the Senate's 18-17 rejection of the education budget. After one of the meetings broke up temporarily, Bedke emerged to say there's still no deal. But he's confident of agreement by week's end. The earliest that new hearings could be held is now Tuesday or Wednesday.