Gov. Butch Otter's proposed budget for next year already calls for draining parts of the cash balances at several agencies to help balance the budget, including $8 million from the state liquor division and  $500,000 from the Commission for the Blind. This morning, Don Berg, manager of the legislative audits office, made a presentation to JFAC on cash balances at other state agencies that might be available to be tapped, and they total $58.8 million. That includes $18.5 million at the state Industrial Commission, $25.7 million between two different funds at the Division of Veterans Services, and $7.3 million each at the state Department of Insurance and the Department of Finance. Not all of those funds could be drained, Berg noted, "much like you don't drain your checking account to zero and hope you can pay your bills. ... Some cash is good."

But Berg said the question is, "Do they need this much cash on hand?" Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, asked if tapping those cash balances might affect the state's bond rating. Berg said he can't speak for bond rating agencies, and "it could have a slight effect," but a "fractional" reduction in the cash balances of 2, 3 or 5 percent, he said, "wouldn't have an effect." JFAC Co-Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said the joint committee's leadership and staff is looking at "a couple of places" for possible cash to tap for the state's general fund from agency cash balances. "We will share those with you as we have the information available," he said.