New group supports education reform laws

A new political committee called YES! For Idaho Education filed paperwork Wednesday with the secretary of state’s office in order to begin a campaign to defend the Students Come First education reform laws that took effect in April 2011.

The laws, championed by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, generated substantial controversy and a backlash from the Idaho Education Association, which objects to the laws’ restrictions on collective bargaining for public school teachers, merit pay provisions and mandates for the use of new technology that union officials worry will replace some teacher jobs.

Eric D. Dixon/IdahoReporter.com

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