Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Mortimer motion passes

Sen. Dean Mortimer, front right, made the successful motion for higher education funding in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday morning; it cuts state general funds by 3.5 percent, but reflects an overall increase of 5 percent in total funds. (Betsy Russell)
Sen. Dean Mortimer, front right, made the successful motion for higher education funding in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday morning; it cuts state general funds by 3.5 percent, but reflects an overall increase of 5 percent in total funds. (Betsy Russell)

First, Rep. Shirley Ringo's motion on the higher ed budget failed on a 4-16 straight party-line vote, with only the four Democrats on JFAC supporting it. Then, Sen. Dean Cameron's substitute motion failed on a 9-11 vote. Finally, Sen. Dean Mortimer's original motion passed on a 13-7 vote. Mortimer's motion calls for a $7,682,500 reduction in state general funds to the state's colleges and universities next year, a 3.5 percent cut, but reflects an increase in overall funds of 5 percent, or $19 million.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

Follow Betsy online: