House

Bill 628
2016 Freedom Index Score (-2)
Analyst: Lindsay Russell Dexter
Date: March 21, 2016

ANALYSTS NOTE: House Bill 628 will create and promote a Rural Education Center. This bill will start
with one center with an eye toward regional expansion. These centers will provide services that local
school districts may not have the resources to provide.

Point No. 1: Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of
government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?

ANALYSIS: House Bill 628 will expand the Idaho Department of Education by adding a Rural
Education Center. Rather than focusing on reforms that could make local school districts more
efficient, the Department of Education has decided to supplement the status quo. (-1)

Point No. 7: Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does
it decrease government spending or debt?

ANALYSIS: House Bill 628 would provide a $300,000 increase for the Department of Educations
FY 2017 budget. What is most alarming about the spending request is the sum to be spent on an
awareness campaign. The need for an awareness campaign is further evidence that the
Department did little to no research that would indicate local school districts would benefit from
these Center-offered services. It would behoove the department to focus on producing high-
achieving students rather than spending money on what is essentially another pilot program (-1)