Hello Friends,

What a week this has been! It was great to see so many of you for the District 18 Forum, Tuesday night, at Timberline High School. It is always nice to receive feedback from constituents and to hear your concerns. Remember to follow me on Twitter and “like” my page on Facebook for legislative updates and other up-to-the-minute happenings around the State Capitol.

This week, we have had some loses and some wins. The guns on campus bill passed the Senate with a 23-10 vote. I voted no on this bill, as I do not believe it makes students safer. There is also an issue of enforcement. Do we install metal detectors and card everyone with a gun to see if they have an enhanced carry permit? Do we arm our campus security guards? What about college classes located on private property or at our public schools? SB1254 leaves too many unanswered questions. All college and university presidents and our chief of police oppose this legislation as enforcement will be a nightmare.

The class size bill I am sponsoring was sent to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. SB 1326 requires the State Department of Education (SDE) to collect and report data on actual class sizes. Currently the SDE takes the total number of students and divides by the number of certified staff. Certified staff includes counselors, vice principals, special education teachers, gifted and talented teachers, etc. While that data is useful it does not give us the actual class size information. Without accurate data, we waste valuable time and energy debating something important to all of us.

Time is running short, but you can still let the members of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) know your opinions about education and funding priorities before they finalize the state’s public education budget. JFAC is scheduled to begin budget setting for education on Monday, March 3.

I was honored to take part in two memorials on Monday, one for the former Senator Herb Carlson, and another for former Cottonwood School District Superintendent, Stan Kress. Sadly, both men passed away recently, Senator Carlson at the age of 94, and Superintendent Kress at the age of 69. Both were gentlemen and leaders of the highest order. Among his legislative achievements, Senator Carlson played a key role in raising the state’s investment in public education, and brought an influential voice to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. Superintendent Kress, meanwhile, was a hero to many Northern Idaho teachers and families as he led the charge to repair dilapidated school buildings in the region. The service was held on the Senate Floor, and was led by Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb and Senator Guthrie, with musical accompaniment by the Boise High String Quartet. It was truly an inspirational and moving memorial to both of these remarkable men.

I didn’t touch on this in last week’s newsletter, but on Thursday, February 13th, we were delighted to listen to remarks by the consul of Mexico in Boise, Guillermo Ordorica, from the floor of the Senate. I was impressed by his speech, particularly as it related to economic and political reforms designed to improve the quality of life for children and families. Mexico has long been a friend of the State of Idaho, and some 30,000 Idaho jobs rely on trade activity with our southern neighbor. Overall, it was a valuable meeting, and I wish nothing but the best for Mr. Ordorica, his government, and the people of Mexico.

I was also delighted to meet with a group of Girl Scouts this week!

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve District 18 and Idaho.

Warmest Regards,

Senator Janie Ward-Engelking

District 18