Byron Yankey's blog

There will be education cuts!

Round two begins...back from DC, Superintendent Luna delivers the news regarding the Federal Stimulus dollars.  Instead of using that information to momentarily review his previous budget recommendations, he is returning to his previous budget proposal. 

I will be has it has always been.  It is all about choices.  An open sustained dialog will be needed that involves all stakeholders.  While cuts are inevitable, recommendations from a variety of groups for the Superintendent to remove some of his pet projects have gone nowhere.  I hope quick decisions are not made.

An Eight Grader's Day In The Sun

You will have to watch a short commercial, because I don't know how to remove it, but here is a short clip about the little girl from Obama's Speech.

Remember, "We are not quitters."

Obamafest

Here's the text of the president's speech last night.  It might just be because of the job I have, but I love listening his speeches and then reading them later.  He delivers a great message in person, energizing, heart-warming, and hopeful. (I also enjoy the theater of it; who stands, who doesn't, when the applause begins and who is seen on camera.) When I read the speech, meaning is added.

A farmer from New Plymouth was in the right place at the right time. Sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives is a great experience any time, but what at great opportunity to hear the president.

And here's comments from Idaho's delegation.  Read the comments...they are great.

I have to include what I think is one of the most powerful messages from last night.

And I think about Ty-Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, S.C. - a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, "We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters."

We are not quitters.

The decisions are different now...

As information emerges about the Federal Stimulus dollars and education, the decisions are no easier, they are just different.  I listened to much of the information provided to the JFAC committee this morning. While it seemed key information still needs to be clarified, even the most rudimentary math results in a grim picture.  What may have been nearly a week of hopefulness for education supporters now must be replaced with a practical reality.  Tough decisions about how to use the money to meet the requirements for three fiscal years will be greatly influenced by politics. And, cuts are unavoidable.

"Stark choices" will have to be made. I only hope people remember, the best decisions are made by those who are closest to them.

Fiscal Responsibilty...

It's not 1,100 pages long, but here is something else that will go unread by Republicans. Context is everything when crafting a message. The Republicans will need to accept responsibility for decisions that have brought us to the challenges we now face. The Republican icon Idaho's majority party has raised to near saint like status, Ronald Regan had a role in this mess. 

official Website

Visit the new Idaho Website.  There's a lot of information in an easy to use format.  The Living,Working,and Playing In Idaho menus are useful tools providing resources that previously were scattered all over.  This website would be a great location for a "Full Disclosure" link listing all of the expenditures made by the state and a listing of how the stimulus money is spent.  Remember, the majority party is all about transparency in government. And with an Official Twitter site, what else can we expect?  

Education and the Stimulus

I like to think I have a pretty good understanding of education issues in Idaho.  I try conscientiously to stay current. I read everything I can, talk to everyone I can and listen to everything I can. It may be just me but I have to admit, I am so confused....

The Idaho Press Tribune reports

State schools chief expresses confidence spending package will reduce cuts that affect students

Then watch Dialogue February 19th .

Somewhere between a message of optimism and a warning of dire results if we use the "Federal Dollars" there has got to emerge a clear message.  As the legislature marks time waiting for information (or cue cards) from the Governor's office, I wish political ideology would lessen and reason would proliferate.

Split Pea Soup

There is nothing like a hearty soup in the winter!
This is tastes like my Mom's soup only, I don't cook the split peas until they turn into mush...sorry, Mom.

I buy 4 smoked ham hocks.  You can find these in most stores.  They are very cheap and very unattractive.  Place them in a large pot. Cover with water or chicken broth.  Add one very large chopped onion. Cover, cook on high for 30 to 40 minutes.  The result will be a flavorful salty broth.

Remove the ham hocks.  You can try to remove any meat that may be on the hock, however, I generally disposal of them. (They will make a dog really happy.)

Bring the broth to a boil and add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of split peas. Boil gently for about 10 minutes.  Add 1 small chopped onion, 2 chopped medium carrots,4 chopped celery stalks and about a 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning. Continue cooking at a gentle boil until the split peas are the texture you want. Towards the end of cooking, you should taste the broth.  If you find it a little salty, just add water and continue to cook. If the broth is seriously salty, chop a peeled potato into small squares and add it to the soup.  They will reduce the salty flavor and make a smooth consistency.

You might wonder why I don't add all of the veggie at the beginning with the ham hocks.  It is a texture thing for me.  You get great flavor and good texture by waiting until the end.

Vegan variation: Omit the ham hocks.  Use vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon kosher salt,1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, increase the Italian Seasoning to teaspoon and everything else is the same.

Cyberspace and the Beer and Wine Lobby

My favorite part of Idaho Reports is the After the Show segment.  I never watch it on Friday night when it airs , but instead I listen to it on line while working on the computer. (After all, the camera work is not that exciting.)

Eight minutes into the segment from last Friday is a discussion about a Facebook Site: Don't Tax My Beer and Wine. Apparently what at first is suppose to seem like a grassroots effort is really promoted by lobbyists for the beer and wine industry. This falls into the "old dogs and new tricks" category. In the past, lobbyists have been content to hand out campaign donations. It must be a new world for them.

Canyon County lawmakers working hard on issues important to you...?

Last summer I did a lot of knocking on doors and talking to Canyon County voters.  I can honestly say I never heard a single person say, "Hey, I really think there needs to be a law about...