The final higher ed budget set in JFAC this morning is the budget for community colleges. Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, proposed the budget, which calls for a 9.2 percent cut in state general funds and a 12.6 percent cut overall. Not in the budget is the $1 million Gov. Butch Otter backed for the College of Western Idaho for its sharp uptick in enrollment this year, nor the $267,500 he wanted for the same purpose next year. In ongoing operating funds, the budget reflects a 7 percent permanent holdback that already was imposed on the state's community colleges this year, and carries forward in the budget.

"The way they've handled the budget reductions in the last couple of years really has been exemplary," said Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, who said he expects community colleges to do the same with their budget for next year. He praised the schools for boosting enrollment while keeping tuition and fees low. The budget passed on a 15-4 party-line vote, with Democrats on the panel voting no.