Gov. Otter appoints pro-Luna committee

State Superintendent Tom Luna’s education reform plan has come under fire since the day he first made the proposal in the IdahoLegislature.

Thousands of people across the state bristle at the mere mention of teacher merit pay or mandates for new technology included in Students Come First.

Gov. Butch Otter has been a supporter of the reforms from the beginning, but now he’s taking it a step further by creating a political committee specifically to campaign for the Luna laws.

Commitee members will reach out in any way possible to promote the education reform plan, whether it be through the worldwide web or ad campaigns.
Reporter Jessica Crandall caught up with Wendy Horman in between house cleaning and shuttling kids around.
The self-proclaimed Ammon soccer mom is also one of the newly appointed co-chairs of the YES! For Idaho Education committee.
“Months have gone into organizing this campaign,” said Horman.

Horman believes in Tom Luna’s education reform plan, although she does admit it’s not perfect.
That’s why changes were made this legislative session.

“I know that there was just a lot of give and take on these laws and that legislators put a lot of effort into considering different opinions before the final bills were passed,” said Horman.

At this point, the committee only has three members, but anyone is welcome to join the effort.

According to Horman, their purpose is to educate the public on education.

“These changes are big in scope but I believe they’re necessary,” said Horman.

She said if Idahoans vote to repeal the reform plan at the polls this November, a lot of time and money will have been wasted.

Rep. Mack Shirley of Rexburg is the treasurer of the campaign. We were unable to speak with him Tuesday because he is out of town.