Andrus Allows Idaho Finance Package To Become Law

By Peter West

Bowing out of a bruising confrontation with Republicans in the legislature, Idaho's Democratic Governor has allowed a $496-million school-finance package to become law without his signature.

Despite a previous pledge to reject any spending plan below his own $501-million school-funding proposal, Gov. Cecil D. Andrus said this month that he would not veto the legislature's spending plan because lawmakers were unlikely to yield in their opposition to his proposal.

Although the $5-million difference represented a small fraction of state school spending, the gap had become a major political issue in Idaho, with Mr. Andrus and G.O.P. leaders of the legislature at one point delivering statewide television addresses to defend their stands. (See Education...