Events offer hope for Idaho's future

A couple of amazing things happened in the Idaho Legislature last week. First, our two Bonner County state senators voted against the so-called school reform measure — proposed by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho school superintendent Tom Luna.

Going against the wishes of the majority in their party, Sen. Shawn Keough, and Sen. Joyce Broadsword, voted against provisions that would increase the number of students in classrooms and reduce the number of teachers. Those of us who value our children’s education as key to our country’s future owe them a debt of gratitude.

And then, rightly so, a Senate committee killed an ill-conceived measure aimed at nullifying the federal health care reform bill — which would have violated the U.S. Constitution and also could have resulted in Idaho losing more than $1 billion in federal Medicaid funds that provide for health care for the disabled and poor.

These acts, at least for now, have restored some sanity in our government.

JAMES W. RAMSEY

Kootenai