OPINION: Cheers & Jeers: A gutsy vote stops raid on Idaho public ed

CHEERS ... to Rep. Jeff Cornilles, R-Nampa, and his fellow members on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee — seven Republicans and two Democrats — who stopped the latest attempted raid on Idaho’s public education budget to the benefit of private schools.

By a one-vote margin — 8-9 — they refused to send a $50 million tax credit to the floor. Then, a 10-7 vote to hold the measure in committee effectively killed it.

They resisted political pressure imposed by the school privatization lobby — such as EdChoice and the American Federation for Children — and the GOP House leadership. Among sponsors of this latest plan were House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Merdian, Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, — who are the co-chairpersons of the House budget-writing committee — and Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Chairperson Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg.

Unfortunately, Rep. Charlie Shepherd, R-Pollock, supported transferring tax dollars meant for public schools in rural communities such as his own north central Idaho legislative district to subsidize the private education of children living in a handful of urban areas, including Ada, Canyon and Kootenai counties.

Odds are that this first-come, first-served tax credit would have gone to families already utilizing private schools rather than those looking to leave public education. That’s because the credits — $5,000 per student or $7,500 in the case of special needs children — don’t cover the full cost of tuition.

Like its predecessor a year ago — which stalled out in the House Education Committee — the tax credit threatened to metastasize. What started out as a $65 million program in Arizona, for instance, now costs $900 million. When state funds are depleted, local schools either compensate through higher property taxes or they do without.

As was the case last year, this measure also offered Idaho taxpayers no assurance that their money would be spent prudently. As Tammy Emerich, superintendent of Catholic schools in Boise, told the House taxation committee, “The way House Bill 447 is written ... there are no strings attached.”

This idea is not popular with ordinary Idahoans. This late in the legislative session, you might hope that public education dodged another bullet. Don’t be so sure. A lot of powerful special interests are frustrated at not getting their way in the Gem State.

JEERS ... to Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa.

How dare anyone challenge the great and powerful chairperson of the House State Affairs Committee?

His panel’s latest assault on local libraries — the brainchild of Crane’s brother, Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa — cleared the House Wednesday on a 47-23 vote. But not before independent-minded lawmakers such as Reps. Lori McCann, R-Lewiston, and Kenny Wroten, R-Nampa, had the temerity to challenge Chairperson Crane.

The measure would set up libraries for lawsuits and a $250 fine if they refuse to remove materials someone deems “harmful to minors” — which often boils down to depictions of gay people.

It’s a far cry from earlier versions.

Two years ago, the infamous House Bill 666 threatened to prosecute librarians as criminals. After it passed the House 51-14, the Senate refused to touch it.

Last year, Gov. Brad Little’s veto stopped a measure to impose $2,500 fines against librarians.

Even in its milder form, the momentum behind this concept shows signs of fading. The first House bill was yanked off the floor. A compromise measure died by a one-vote margin in the Senate about a month ago.

Yet Chairperson Crane threatened to return HB 666 if House members didn’t bow to his wishes:

“I can tell you if this doesn’t pass, we’re going back to that bill,” he said. “This issue is going to be solved one way or the other. You better pick which one you like.”

Oh really?

If lawmakers rejected prosecuting and jailing librarians two years ago, why does Crane believe he can force HB 666 on the state today?

Peek behind that curtain at your own risk. If you didn’t know better, you might conclude this Canyon County politician is suffering from delusions of grandeur.

JEERS ... to Clarkston Mayor Monika Lawrence and the city of Clarkston.

On Thursday, Northwest Justice Project attorney John Wolff filed a letter on behalf of the homeless residents trying to eke out a living at Foster Park — despite limited hours, confined spaces and a lack of support services.

Within days, Clarkston police were issuing trespassing citations to seven people for allegedly violating city regulations. Among those cited was John “Cowboy” Parke, who was previously interviewed by the Northwest Justice Project.

Coincidence? Perhaps. But this is not a good look.

The city’s regulations are not easily followed. Departing the park by 7 a.m. and not returning before 9 p.m. means setting up and taking down camp in colder weather.

And the citations came just as daylight saving time took effect.

Granted, no community in the region is doing more to help the unhoused. But subjecting homeless people to the prospect of a misdemeanor — which carries a 90-day jail term and a $1,000 fine — or even a gross misdemeanor — which could involve a year in jail and a $5,000 fine — does not reflect well on the city.

JEERS ... to Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow.

Along with Sens. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, and Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, Foreman voted against reestablishing Idaho’s presidential primary — even as a beauty contest.

Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, this measure would not block the GOP from holding another presidential caucus earlier in the year — as it did March 2 — to select delegates. But given the abysmal turnout — about 6.8% of registered Republicans participated in the caucus — why not offer ordinary voters an opportunity to express themselves at the polls?

Here’s one theory: Winder’s bill would authorize the presidential beauty contest to take place during this year’s May 21 primary election. That likely would expand voter turnout.

Candidates such as Foreman, Lenney, Nichols or Zuiderveld benefit from a low-turnout, closed GOP primary. Could it be that the last thing they want is an influx of voters who might entertain supporting their primary opponents? — M.T.