Bill vote shines light on education rift

Thank you, Paul Amador.

Take a bow, Jim Addis.

These two Coeur d'Alene Republican members of the Idaho House voted Monday for House Bill 443, which with Senate approval and the governor's signature, will quietly accomplish two of the state's most pressing problems:

• Attracting and retaining teachers

• Lowering property taxes

Amador was a co-sponsor and champion of the bill.

"This is the most significant piece of education-related legislation that has gone through this body in Idaho for a very long time," Amador told The Press on Friday.

The 11-page HB 443 is heavy reading, but here it is for those so inclined: https://bit.ly/3rQdOzU

At the risk of oversimplifying to squeeze key takeaways into a 285-word editorial, HB 443 would eliminate a cumbersome, ineffective bonus system for teachers. That would be replaced by a far more tangible and workable plan — one deemed to cost no more than what it's replacing — to help teachers with health insurance costs.

The state pays $12,500 annually for state employees' insurance, but teachers receive just $8,400. That gap will be plugged by HB 443.

As a result, a drain on supplemental levies — which are actually vital property tax-funded, voter-approved measures that support things like school employee pay and benefits — could also see some relief.

This bill seems like a no-brainer. It's cost-neutral; it's a powerful tool to hire and keep good teachers; it's leveling a gross inequity; and it's likely to benefit many property owners. So why oppose it?

That's a good question for several other area Republicans who voted against it but didn't explain their stance in the overwhelmingly positive 55-14 vote Monday.

Reps. Vito Barbieri, Ron Mendive, Doug Okuniewicz and Tony Wisniewski, we're referring to you.