State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna said this afternoon that he's learned that Idaho schools are going to get lots of federal stimulus money "to the tune of $346 million over the next two years, and some of that money could be here as soon…
Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, now says his controversial bills to make permanent cuts in laws governing school funding and teacher contracts may not be needed at all, what with big money coming Idaho's way from the federal stimulus package. "It looks like Idaho could…
The three days of hearings that had been scheduled to start Monday on controversial education bills introduced yesterday have been called off. "We decided to hold off on the hearings for a week, refine some numbers and see if we can reach a consensus on…
The budget target adopted unanimously by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today anticipates nearly $110 million in cuts to Idaho's public school budget next year. That's the $62 million already proposed by state schools Supt. Tom Luna, which included a cut equal to three days pay…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com, "Idaho slashes budget, considers pay cuts," on this morning's fast-moving developments at the Legislature today. And here's a link to my full story from yesterday on the House Environment Committee's rejection of legislation to repeal last…
A target for setting next year's budget of $2.5579 billion in general funds - a figure more than $100 million below the governor's recommended budget - has been unanimously approved by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Getting there would mean a 5 percent cut in personnel…
The revenue figure recommended by the Joint Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee for next year - a figure $100 million below the governor's recommended budget - has just been adopted by JFAC. Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, told Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, who…
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has just voted unanimously to transfer another $28.4 million from the public education stabilization fund "as soon as practicable" to protect public schools from mid-year budget cuts this year. "When we set up the public education stabilization fund, we did so…
"I hope people don't think there's a correlation between this motion and this being Friday the 13th," said Rep. Darrell Bolz as he made a motion just now in JFAC to set a 2009 revenue figure that calls for an additional $80 million reduction. That…
Gov. Butch Otter has imposed a statewide hiring freeze, a ban on all bonuses or pay increases, a ban on overtime pay without prior approval from his Division of Financial Management, and sharp limits on all purchasing. "I understand that implementing these instructions may be…
Among the possibilities for balancing next year's budget in light of dropping state revenues: A 5 percent cut in funding for personnel at all state agencies and institutions and public schools, which could come in the form of an across-the-board pay cut, furloughs or other…
January's state tax revenues came in $33.1 million below projections, which puts the state $43.6 percent million below projections for the fiscal year to date. That means more holdbacks. This morning, JFAC is scheduled to take up additional budget cuts for the current, 2009 fiscal…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
