Senate Bill 1290, sponsored by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) and Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), establishes a rural educator incentive program for educators who work in high-need or rural school districts and charter schools. It would provide the maximum amount of eligible funding, which gradually increases for each year the educator stays in the school. 

The program provides $1,500 to an educator after their first year, $2,500 the second, $3,500 the third, and $4,500 the fourth, for a max total of $12,000. The funds could cover education loan repayments, additional and advanced degrees, or other educational costs.

Ward-Engelking and Toone spent a number of years trying to pass different versions of the bill, which aims to help retain and support Idaho educators in rural and high-need areas, where the state’s teacher shortage is even more severe. Both said they appreciate the support of the governor to finally make this multi-year effort a reality.

“This is a great day for educators in our rural and underserved schools,” Toone said. “The program will offer incredible opportunities for our beginning teachers and additional programs to districts, helping keep educators in these critical areas of our state.”

“Educators are the backbone of our local communities,” Ward-Engelking added. “This program is a way to give them more time working with students, instead of needing two jobs just to cover rent and a loan payment. By investing in our teachers, we can better keep them not only in our rural and underserved schools but the profession.”

Senate Bill 1290, sponsored by Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise) and Rep. Sally Toone (D-Gooding), establishes a rural educator incentive program for educators who work in high-need or rural school districts and charter schools. It would provide the maximum amount of eligible funding, which gradually increases for each year the educator stays in the school. 

Ward-Engelking said the program provides $1,500 to an educator after their first year, $2,500 the second, $3,500 the third, and $4,500 the fourth, for a max total of $12,000. The funds could cover education loan repayments, additional and advanced degrees, or other educational costs.

Both Ward-Engelking and Toone have spent a number of years trying to pass different versions of the bill, which aims to help retain and support Idaho educators in rural and high-need areas, where the state’s teacher shortage is even more severe.

“Our educators do so much for our children and local communities,” Ward-Engelking said. “This program is a way to give them more time working with students, instead of needing two jobs just to pay rent and a loan payment, making it easier to stay in our rural areas and the profession.”

Sens. Michelle Stennett, Grant Burgoyne, and Janie Ward-Engelking raised concerns about the possible legal ramifications that could stem from the Senate, specifically, coming back into session after adjourning in May, not recessing like the House. No mechanism exists for the body to reconvene once its members officially sine die unless the governor calls a special session.

The three said the majority isn’t adhering to proper protocol, and seem more focused on political grandstanding than passing legally-sound legislation aimed at mitigating the state’s ongoing health crisis. Since Sept. 16, Idaho has been in crisis standards of care.

Senate Republicans are expected to propose a bill to set up another defense fund to join other state legal actions against the Biden administration over its COVID-19 rules for employers. Like the Constitutional Defense Fund, this legal defense fund would authorize the legislature to give sole power to the speaker of the House and the Senate pro-tem to use state funds to pay for litigation expenses, such as hiring outside counsel.

“Other states have been leading this charge and already filed lawsuits against the Biden administration; there’s no need for Idaho to be spending its own money,” Burgoyne said. “We should wait for the federal courts to make a decision rather than writing another blank check to lawyers.”

The group told reporters Senate Democrats have drafted legislation to direct COVID-19 relief funds to help Idaho workers and their families. Some of the bill’s provisions include:

• Reimbursing employers for wages paid to staff in need of time off to get the vaccine and recover from any side effects, or assist a family member in getting it or their recovery
• Rapid testing for businesses and schools
• Compensation for anyone missing work after contracting COVID-19 or being exposed
• A sick-leave bank for all public employees and school personnel
• One-time bonus payments to essential workers

“If we’re going to be here, we should be doing some actual good for Idahoans, not misusing their hard-earned tax dollars on likely unconstitutional bills,” Stennett said. 

“People across our state are struggling, especially our teachers. We are sitting on more than two billion in state and federal funds right now. Why not direct some of that money toward helping Idaho’s working families?” Ward-Engelking said. “Let’s not continue to sit on it; let’s invest it in our people when they need it most.

Rep. Ilana Rubel

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel and Senate Minority Caucus Chair Janie Ward-Engelking expressed dismay that the majority party’s legislation has centered on largely unconstitutional efforts to siphon power from the governor, the attorney-general, local governments and most concerningly, from Idaho voters themselves. On the latter point, they cited multiple pending voter-suppression bills (House Bills 219 and 223) and Senate Bill 1110, which would erect virtually insurmountable obstacles to the exercise of citizen ballot initiative rights.   

The pair said as a result, almost no attention has been given to the very real needs of Idaho’s working families, such as underfunded schools, skyrocketing property taxes and deteriorating infrastructure. Instead, the Legislature is creating new problems for Idahoans by passing unconstitutional bills likely to lead to costly litigation and diminishing voting rights.

“This session so far has largely been one big power play,” Rubel said. “Time is running out, and it is past time for the legislature to put people over power plays and address the real needs of the people of Idaho. Those needs do not include creation of an all-powerful legislature.” 

Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking

Rubel and Ward-Engelking said Democrats have a slate of bills specifically targeted at addressing real problems; however they are being denied hearings in committees. These pieces of legislation include bills to lower property taxes, make growth pay for growth, finally offer full-day kindergarten, and allocate resources to provide learning remediation for the children in Idaho who have fallen behind during the pandemic.

“We have to switch focus and finally start helping our citizens — enough is enough,” Ward-Engelking said. “The legislature has printed more early bills this session than ever before, and yet, after nearly seven weeks, we’ve only passed eight laws; five in the Senate and three in the House. We can’t afford to waste any more time in this building.”

Tom Luna, the new Idaho GOP Chairman, recently previewed his plan for attacking Democratic candidates this election year:

Step One: Harp nonstop on a report generated for the City of Boise by a nonpartisan team of volunteers, and falsely attribute it to Idaho Democrats, who in fact never wrote, endorsed, or implemented it. The report compiled some citizens’ suggestions, and is not and never has been Democratic policy or platform.

Step Two: Call Democratic legislators “socialists,” ignoring the fact that we are not only capitalists who embrace the importance of businesses large and small, but many of us are business owners ourselves.

Step Three: Hope that voters will settle for name-calling and distortion, and won’t probe into actual positions or records.

This brazen misdirection by the GOP Chairman belies a fear that if Idaho voters really understand Democrats’ positions and the GOP’s dismal single-party governance record, the Republican super-majority would be in jeopardy.

Voters deserve to know where Democrats actually stand. Here is our legislative agenda, plain and simple:

• A Strong Economy. Idaho has lost business opportunities due to inadequate infrastructure, an insufficiently skilled workforce, and a lack of affordable housing. We want to correct these deficiencies.  Let’s be honest—there’s a lot of crony capitalism in this state masquerading as real capitalism.  We’ll do a lot better without a one-party government whose focus is on well-connected insiders rather than making sure everyone has economic opportunity.
• The success of our communities starts with our schools. Teacher pay must be sufficient to recruit and retain quality educators. Lack of funding shouldn’t force schools into four-day weeks and sub-par education programs. Education should be adequately funded by the state as mandated by our Constitution – property taxpayers shouldn’t have to pass levies to keep schools operational.We should be generating a skilled workforce that draws high-wage employers to Idaho, not underfunding higher education, forcing tuition hikes that make a degree unaffordable.
• Fair Taxes. We oppose the GOP’s giant tax cuts and exemptions to those at the top that leave the rest of us with overblown property taxes and underfunded schools and infrastructure. The 2018 Republican income tax cut cost the state over $200 Million annually in revenue, gave over $5,000 a year in cuts to the wealthiest, but only $12 a year to earners in the bottom 20%, while leaving schools underfunded and giving nothing to those needing it most.  The indexed homeowner exemption should be restored and we must increase property tax assistance for seniors and veterans. Millions of dollars a year in internet sales taxes are currently held hostage by the majority party’s infighting. These funds should be used to fund education, repair infrastructure and reduce property taxes. And the legislature should examine the $2.5 billion a year in lost revenue from sales tax exemptions.
• Public Lands. Democrats always fight to protect public lands and your right to access and use them, as well as your right to enjoy clean air and clean water.
• Strong families. Idahoans should not have to work three jobs to support a family. We support gradual increases to the minimum wage and affordable, safe childcare.
• Public Safety. We support our first responders.  We back adequate funding for training and equipment, including ensuring proper standards for use of force.
• Idaho has 187 structurally deficient bridges, and 898 bridges that are past their expected structural life. You deserve roads and bridges that are strong enough for the needs of business and your family’s safety.
• Health Care. We support affordable, quality health care, so we and 61% of Idahoans who agreed with us made Medicaid expansion a reality.

Idaho Democrats are fighting for a more balanced legislature that addresses constituents’ needs.  After thousands of conversations with voters, we have found broad public support for our platform as described above, and the GOP is rightly concerned that a debate on real issues will not play out to their advantage.

In 90 days, you’ll have the chance to correct the harmful imbalance in our legislature. We hope that you’ll join us in paving a better road for Idaho’s future.

Schools are the safety net for many Idaho children. Some of our most vulnerable students are struggling and craving the face-to-face interaction they so desperately need with their teachers. Online meetings are usually short, because the teacher or school district cannot afford to purchase longer meetings. Students who are craving social interaction are only given small morsels of time with their friends and teachers. Even worse, many Idaho children have fallen through the cracks. School districts know that they haven’t been able to locate many of their students since they left their classrooms. Families have been forced to move during the pandemic, leaving no forwarding address for schools to pursue.

As schools and education evolve, teachers are struggling to find the right blend of a new hybrid model of instruction that will meet the needs of all students. It is a complicated and delicate job, as the ability, needs, and access of students vary greatly throughout Idaho. This is exacerbated by the fact that almost 50 of our school districts will be operating on a 4-day a week schedule. (It is important to note most of these districts did not go to a 4-day week because they thought it was best for students, but because they did not have the resources needed to operate a 5-day week).

Idaho is going to need to invest more money in professional development, technology, and staffing to meet the needs of our children and families as we try to operate during these difficult times. This is not a time to cut funding to education. While it is true state revenues are down, we have nearly $600 million in rainy day funds and the sales tax we collect on internet sales ($8 million per month) is directed to a fund slotted for tax relief. This fund can certainly be used to fulfil Idaho’s Constitutional duty to fund a thorough, uniform, and adequate education. By adequately funding education at the state level, school districts can avoid running supplemental levies that shift the burden to property taxes at the local level. Of the 115 school districts in Idaho, 41 of them were forced to run a levy on the May 2020 ballot. Many did not pass creating a very unequal education system within our state.

We appreciate the Governor and the rest of the state has some incredibly tough decisions to make. No one could have predicted our economic circumstances changing so drastically in a few short months. However, our teachers and students need our help more than ever. We cannot continue to ask our teachers to do more with less. We must invest in education now if we want our students to make up for the months of online learning or filling out packets.

Idaho’s children deserve high-quality education, even in a pandemic. We want to see our students return to highly skilled teachers with enough resources to ensure their students can catch up on any progress they have lost. Idaho’s children deserve a world-class education, and it is up to us to fund it. They are counting on us!

“From kindergarten through high school, community volunteers play a critical role in educating and supporting our kids. But that volunteering typically ends at graduation,” Sen. Burgoyne noted. “The Idaho Promise Mentor Program will give communities the chance to act on their concern in seeing their residents gain the skills needed to obtain good paying jobs and build successful lives while, at the same time, retaining these residents and improving the local economy.”

Senator Janie Ward-Engelking, a co-sponsor of the Idaho Promise legislation, believes the legislation will make a difference in our college enrollment numbers.

“Mentor coordinators would be placed throughout the state to work with local communities to identify adults willing to be trained to mentor students and their families during the transition into college, career training, and skilled jobs. Mentorship is especially critical in the summer months after graduation when high school counselors are no longer available and students may not have access to college or career advisors,” Sen. Ward-Engelking explained. “It is also important for military veterans and other adults interested in entering a career-ready credential program and preparing to enter the workforce.”

Idaho Promise mentors do not need formal education or training beyond high school. Mentors must pass background checks. They would be matched with 10 or fewer mentees and expected to serve for five or fewer total hours per month. Through training sessions, mentors will learn how to assist students and families to explore college and job training options, complete financial aid forms, access educational support services, successfully complete postsecondary programs and apply for skilled employment.

“In recent years, the state has made a significant investment in hiring more middle and high school college and career advisors. This is important, but we are still a long way from preparing enough Idahoans for the thousands of high wage jobs that go unfilled each year,” Sen. Burgoyne said. “It is time to help local community members play an active role in supporting recent high school graduates, veterans, and other adults to build the kind of skilled workforce throughout Idaho that all of our communities need.”

Jean Henscheid, a fellow with the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, was instrumental in drafting the legislation and expressed her excitement that the committee had sent the bill to the House floor.

“Senator Burgoyne and I met with the Workforce Development Council, the Idaho State Board of Education, the STEM Action Center, all eight Idaho colleges and universities, the Idaho Community College Consortium, RISE Treasure Valley Education Partnership, and Idaho Association Commerce and Industry while drafting this legislation.” Henscheid said. “We structured the legislation based on the feedback and guidance that we received from all of these education partners. I believe that we have introduced the best version of the bill for Idaho students and families.”

“The use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving poses a significant danger to other drivers, pedestrians, and anyone else who is on or near a roadway.” Explained Sen. David Nelson/(D-Moscow). “There was a 16% increase in distracted driving fatalities from 2013- 2017 alone. This legislation protects Idahoans and their families from unnecessary accidents that result from distracted motorists.”

“At highway speeds, just a single text message can take a driver’s eyes off the road for more than the length of a football field. Anything can happen in the length of a football field if a driver is not paying attention to the road. We know something needs to be done to ensure everyone’s safety.” Sen. Ward- Engelking/ (D- Boise) said.

“The current texting and driving laws simply do not encompass the vast amounts of device usage that is happening on our roadways. Emailing, social media, streaming and other device enhancements are not being addressed in the current laws.” Explained Sen. Buckner- Webb/(D-Bosie). “As technology advances, our laws also need to advance to continue to protect Idahoans. This legislation is comprehensive and will make our roads and our families safer.”

For the very first time, Idaho was given the opportunity by the Governor to apply for a federal Preschool Development Grant. The state of Idaho was awarded a $3.3 million grant to strengthen existing early childhood education programs! The Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) will take the lead on implementing grant money by improving school readiness and focusing on early literacy. The Idaho legislature will be working closely with Idaho AEYC to ensure that we are making impactful, cost-effective investments in early childhood education.

Idahoans are desperate for better early learning options for their children and this grant will provide the opportunity to build up existing programs. Creating accessible resources for parents is essential to the success of early childhood education. In order to create a repository where parents can access all the resources and programs available to them, we must first create an Early Childhood Advisory council that supports the work of preschool development. The advisory council would be necessary to make decisions about the most appropriate use of the grant money and to evaluate the success of where the funds are invested.

The first order of business for the Early Childhood Advisory council would be to gather data to decide where resources are needed. Idaho needs to know if kids have been in preschool and what other resources they have used before entering school to see where we need to direct development efforts. Parents need access to resources from the beginning which means providing information that is easily accessible as soon as a child is born.

The Early Childhood Advisory Council will be the best way to allocate the resources from the Preschool Development Grant to make sure that all Idaho parents have access to early learning resources. Building statewide data will help us to identify the needs of children across the state while an accessible platform for parents to find the resources their children need to get off to a running start. Both of these things in tandem with the further development of existing early education programs will improve school readiness and strengthen early literacy outcomes. It takes a village to raise Idaho’s children so we must work with families, communities and early childhood professionals to ensure every child and parent has access to the resources they need.

Idaho’s AEYC is excited to take the lead implementing this $3.3 million dollar grant. Idaho’s children deserve the best opportunities that we can offer and the Early Childhood Advisory Council is the next step in strengthening early childhood education. We have been given a historical opportunity to make a meaningful investment in the trajectory of our children’s education. The wins and losses in our education system touch every aspect of our state’s overall success. When our young children start their education off with adequate resources to achieve their goals, we all benefit.

The Governor’s budget recommends more money for Opportunity Scholarships which we applaud. The purpose of these Opportunity Scholarships is to “remove barriers to higher education and prepare college/university graduates to enter the workforce.” An increase in available scholarship money will likely increase student attendance at Idaho colleges and universities.

This influx of students (which is never a bad thing) will force Idaho colleges and universities to serve more students with less money. State support for colleges and universities has dropped drastically over the years, creating a culture of thinking outside the box. Currently, colleges and universities are being asked to cut their budgets. Our educational institutions are looking at a 1% holdback for this year, 2% cut next year and 50% reduction in occupancy costs altogether. Coupling this knowledge with the recent tuition freeze and the mandatory budget cuts, Idaho colleges and universities are facing very tough choices in the near future. Not to neglect our fledgling community college in Eastern Idaho, only a few years old, needs faculty to meet the demands of an increasing student population.

On-campus libraries will be cutting their hours and reducing subscriptions to articles, periodicals, and journals which are an invaluable research resource. Student union buildings will also reduce their hours. Some worthwhile programs and classes will be at risk. However, the biggest cuts will be to the people who make the schools run: personnel. Each university’s plan includes large personnel cuts meaning fewer faculty and staff to guide those first-generation students, who need more support, mental health counseling, mentoring, and other services. In addition, first-generation students are the largest recipients of the Opportunity Scholarship.

Education is intrinsically the business of people. A teacher can make a student fall in love with learning. A guidance counselor can help a student make it through a tough class. An advisor can ensure a student graduates on time. When we cut personnel, we cut services our students desperately need and put their educational success at risk.

When we invest in our students, we create a competitive workforce that can contribute to our thriving economy and make Idaho a great place to live. At this point everyone knows how important workforce development is to Idaho businesses and economy. While we want to honor the Governor’s directive, we feel these cuts to higher education are too severe. Under the current budget proposal, we would effectively cripple our education system. In a time of growth and prosperity, we have the opportunity to set the narrative for the future. Our goal is to restore some of these cuts. We think Governor Little would agree this is a worthwhile investment. An investment in education is an investment in our children, grandchildren and our state.