Idaho jobs law eligibility questioned

BOISE - Public schools chief Tom Luna says there are concerns Idaho may not qualify for education money under a new federal law aimed at helping states spare thousands of teaching jobs.

The emergency spending bill signed into law Tuesday will provide $10 billion to help states cover funding for an estimated 160,000 jobs in K-12 public schools and another $16 billion for Medicaid costs.

Idaho is expected to receive about $51 million to hire, rehire and retain teachers.

Luna said more than a few states have questions about the law, which requires states to show they've maintained a certain level of funding at both the public school and higher education level.

"There are concerns that we may not qualify under the rules," Luna said.

Sen. John Goedde, a Coeur d'Alene Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said it appears Idaho will have to boost funding for higher education to become eligible for the new public schools money.

The budget for Idaho's four-year public universities this fiscal year includes about $32.1 million less in total funding and further slashes the state share of costs for higher education.

The state's general fund portion dropped about 14.1 percent and, combined with previous losses, means Idaho will be spending about $67.6 million less in tax revenue on higher education than it did two years ago.

Idaho, to bolster the higher education budget, would either have to draw from public education reserves or raid the so-called Millennium Fund, which holds the state's share of a big 1998 settlement with tobacco companies, Goedde said.

A withdrawal from either fund would likely need approval from the Idaho Legislature, making it unclear whether the governor would have to call a special session, Goedde said.

"I believe that either of those actions would take an appropriation, and the governor doesn't have the power to appropriate," he said.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's spokesman, Jon Hanian, said Friday the governor was still assessing the new law and what it means for Idaho, reiterating criticisms that there was a lack of clear guidance from the federal government.

"This creates more questions than answers, I think you're seeing some of that being played out right now," Hanian said. "It's created some uncertainty and we're trying to get some answers."

The U.S. Department of Education has estimated the money would support about 160,000 education jobs nationwide, including 900 teachers, classroom aides, bus drivers and other education professionals in Idaho.

States must apply to the federal education department within 30 days of when the law took effect, and funds must be awarded to states with approved applications within 45 days of enactment.

While there are concerns Idaho does not meet the higher education funding criteria, Superintendent Luna said the U.S. Department of Education has also promised to work with the state to make sure it qualifies for the money.

Luna "is very supportive of Idaho receiving the funds," said his chief of staff, Luci Willits, on Friday.