Like the Senate last Wednesday, the House wasted little time ripping through the seven K-12 budget bills. The bills passed Monday afternoon without any debate, a process that took about a half hour.
But while the Senate approved each budget on identical 35-0 votes, there were a few pockets of resistance in the House. Six of the seven bills drew a handful of no votes.
One lawmaker opposed six of the seven spending bills: Silverton Republican Shannon McMillan. She declined to explain her votes, Bill Spence of the Lewiston Tribune reported Monday evening. McMillan also has refused to explain her opposition to the five-year, $125 million career ladder plan to boost teacher pay.
Here’s a closer look at Monday’s votes. (And, to catch up on all key education votes from the 2015 session, go to our Bill Tracker page.)
- Senate Bill 1183 (administrators): Passed 65-4. No votes: Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens; McMillan; Paul Shepherd, R-Riggins; Kathleen Sims, R-Coeur d’Alene.
- Senate Bill 1184 (teachers): Passed 66-3. No votes: Barbieri; McMillan; Sims.
- Senate Bill 1185 (operations): Passed 65-4. No votes: Barbieri; Thomas Dayley, R-Boise; McMillan; Sims.
- Senate Bill 1186 (children’s programs): Passed 64-5. No votes: Barbieri; Gayle Batt, R-Wilder; Dayley; McMillan; Mike Moyle, R-Star.
- Senate Bill 1187 (facilities): Passed 60-6. No votes: Barbieri; Dayley; McMillan; Moyle; Ronald Nate, R-Rexburg; Heather Scott, R-Blanchard.
- Senate Bill 1188 (services for the deaf and blind): Passed 66-0.
- Senate bill 1189 (central services): Passed 59-7. No votes: Steven Harris, R-Meridian; McMillan; Moyle; Nate; Joe Palmer, R-Meridian; Scott; Sims.
