Sen. Mel Richardson, R-Idaho Falls, has long been a big booster of technology investments for schools, and has pushed for funding each year in the joint budget committee. So Richardson was understandably miffed that Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's budget for next year would slash $5 million out of the tech aid - so much so, that he asked state schools Supt. Marilyn Howard this question:

"Do you have programs that could be cut, if the money was so necessary for technology?"

The joint committee's co-chairman, Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, got a big laugh when he cut in with, "Oh, sure, she's going to volunteer that!"

Howard responded, "I don't know of anything that can be cut." Local school districts barely have the money to pay their heat and light bills, she said. "I don't think they have lots of extra money."

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