Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Idaho Falls, told the House he’s presenting the “going-home bill.” It’s SB 1200, the budget for public schools. The school budget earlier passed the House easily, but it was defeated by one vote in the Senate; the new version followed a different process, but has the same numbers, giving schools a 2.2 percent increase in state general funds next year. It passed the Senate earlier this morning on a 29-5 vote.

Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, debated against the bill, saying it’s not “a happy going-home bill” for school kids or property taxpayers – because he said the appropriation amount is too low. He noted the growing numbers of school districts around the state seeking, and passing, tax override levies.  “The public schools need more money,” Gannon said.