Here are some of the 2004 legislative votes:
Public school appropriations, children's division S 1433-
(This bill) left out the $5 million requested by Dr. Marilyn Howard (with the support of many school districts around the state) for intervention, added help for this year's 10th graders who fail the acheivemnet test. They will be required to pass a smilar test to graduate in 2006.
Rep. Block voted for this budget without the extra help some students need.
Senator Laird Noh voted against it.
School appropriation, teachers S 1431-
This one provided (at least in theory) funding to raise starting teacher pay to $27,500 (which is mandated by this bill). It provided nothing for experienced teachers... deliberately slighting experienced teachers. This also left out the $2 million Dr. Howard requested for new teacher mentoring programs.
Rep. Block voted for this bill voting against both of her Magic Valley colleagues
Senator Noh and Rep. Leon Smith knew it was a bad idea and voted no
College and university appropriations, HB 768-
This one short-changed college and university students and contributed to another round of student fee increases.
Again Rep. Block voted for this while
Rep. Leon Smith and Senator Noh voted no