Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa told JFAC, "As all agencies are doing, we're doing more with less. Various positions, especially in our commercial affairs area, remain unfilled, but yet our work continues to get done." He said, "We will start filling those hopefully when the economy starts to improve." Ysursa said, "Our No. 1 job is to serve the public and do it in a fair and efficient manner."

The only line item in his budget for next year is to publish the Idaho Blue Book next year, which is required by law, at the cost of $40,000. Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, asked if that could just be published online instead. Ysursa said a version already is published online, but some users, including school classes, "appreciate having the books." JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell said as a one-time librarian, "There is a place where everybody needs a hard copy - a blue book, I guess."

Ysursa said his budget request for fy 2012 is 16 percent less than what he requested in 2011. "We pulled out some election costs and that made us look good," he said with a smile. "Next year, we're going to come here and pu in election costs, and we're going to be the bad guys." The governor's budget recommendation is for a 1 percent increase next year in general funds, but a 15.7 percent reduction in overall funds.