After two procedural challenges to HB 262 failed, House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, drew laughter in the House when he said, "You might've guessed I don't like this bill." Rusche said the bill's provisions were rejected when all interests came together to negotiate consensus legislation on how to handle a financial emergency in Idaho's schools. "Why, then, is it back before us?" he asked. Freezing teacher salary schedule movement for a year will permanently affect teachers' eventual retirements, he said, a move that Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, a lawyer, said creates legal problems. "It's not necessary to poke teachers in the eye," Rusche said. "This is unneeded and a divisive bill - it's wrong for Idaho schools and the kids and families they serve."

Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, the bill's sponsor, told the House, "The purpose of this bill is to reduce the cost of the fiscal year 2010 public school appropriation. ... What we're trying to do is preserve the programs and the learning opportunities for the children."

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