Education a big talker at town hall

Pocatello legislators brought the community up to speed with what’s going on so far in the 2016 legislative session.

Reps. Elaine Smith and Mark Nye, along with Sen. Roy Lacey, took turns talking about big topics in the session and what they’ve been working on.

Some of the topics included Idaho’s minimum wage, healthcare and education.

“We want to hear from people back home on what they are hearing, what they haven’t heard, what they need more information on, and their opinions on various issues,” Smith said.

Education, however, took the main part of the conversation with a focus on Idaho State University.

Dave Delehanty, a professor of biology, mentioned the university’s change in Carnegie research classification, declining enrollment, and vacancies in his department.

He said there has to be more done to keep the best and brightest in Idaho.

“It hurts us and it’s bad for our students,” Delehanty said. “Our young people here need a vibrant university. The community needs a vibrant university and we’re losing it.”

Smith said bipartisan support is needed to get someone from the Pocatello area on the State Board of Education.