Idaho State Board of Education members expressed support Wednesday for Gov. Brad Little’s special session proposal.
The board amended its agenda in a regular Wednesday meeting to include a discussion of Little’s education funding proposals in a scheduled special legislative session. Little called for a special session Tuesday, announcing the state will use its record budget surplus to address inflation. Government officials will discuss using a $2 billion projected budget surplus to distribute tax relief and invest in education in the session beginning next Thursday.
If approved, the state will invest $410 million in Idaho’s education through an ongoing sales tax transfer, $330 million will go toward K-12 public schools and $80 million will be invested in higher education institutions. The education board did not take action on the item because the proposal is too early to comply with Idaho’s Open Meetings Law timelines, but members expressed individual opinions on the matter.
Board President Kurt Liebich said it was “potentially the biggest thing that has happened for Idaho education.” (Lewiston Tribune)
