Lawmakers concentrate on 3 issues at forum

POST FALLS - Idaho lawmakers discussed three major issues at the January Legislator's Report on Saturday morning: education reform, nullification of the Obama health care plan and the shortcomings of the state budget.

Sponsored by the Reagan Republicans, Panhandle and North Idaho Pachyderm Clubs, the report was a public gathering of senators, representatives and their constituents at American Legion Post 143 on Poleline Avenue.

District 5 Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, focused on Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's plan for statewide education reform.

"That will probably be one of the main things, if not the main thing, of this legislative session," Nonini said.

He outlined the three pillars of Luna's plan: modern classroom technology, an emphasis on great educators, and accountability and transparency within the educational system.

"The most important thing we can do for the state of Idaho is pass the superintendent's plan," said District 3 Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens.

District 5 Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene said he was in support of merit-based pay for Idaho educators - another tenet of Luna's wide-ranging plan.

"Often merit pay is looked at as a punitive measure, and it doesn't have to be," Hammond said.

Not everyone was in favor of reform, however. Matt Barkley, a teacher at Post Falls High School who attended the forum, said the education issue was "the catalyst for me being here."

"I believe the plan is fairly flawed," Barkley said, adding that he thinks the legislature needs more input from school district superintendents and teachers.

"We're the ones that are on the front line right now ... seeing what's going on in the classrooms," Barkley said.

Almost all of the legislators touched on House Bill 59, the legislation to nullify the Obama Administration's far-reaching health care plan in Idaho.

"Well, there's no question that Obamacare is an abomination," said District 4 Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene.

The half-dozen lawmakers present - Nonini, Vick, Hammond, Goedde, District 5 Rep. Frank Henderson and District 4 Rep. Kathy Sims - all said they would likely vote for Bill 59.

"(Saying) we cannot stop a federal law is not true," Vick said, "because we've already done it."

He referred to George W. Bush-era legislation called Real ID, which many states refused to adopt.

The legislature is now facing a serious budget shortfall - according to the latest reports, the deficit could hit $185 million by 2012. Sixty-five percent of the budget is for education, Goedde noted.

Health and welfare programs could be cut as well.

"Medicaid needs to be reformed," Vick said. "We have a prime opportunity with the budget shortfall."

Bruce Noble of Post Falls attended Saturday's report. He said the event fell short in one area.

"I was just sorry that there was not more discussion of economic development," Noble said. "I think it's the most important issue in the state of Idaho right now. Everything else that's important to the state was hit pretty well."

Jennifer Arnold of Pinehurst was concerned about possible cuts to Medicaid.

"I don't think they know what they're going to do with it yet. It's too early," she said. "I wish more legislators would come. These are the ones that have the courage to come."

She'll be attending more legislative meetings in the future, she said.

"I think it was good," Arnold said of Saturday's report. "It gives you a sense of trust, that you're being heard."