Idaho legislative budget writers have approved a $563.3 million budget for the state’s four-year colleges and universities.
The spending plan unanimously backed Tuesday by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee includes $287 million in state general funds, or a 2.7% – that’s more than Governor Butch Otter’s recommended 2.2% bump, though nearly identical to the governor’s recommendation in total funds, up by 1.2% from this year.
Changes in the budget proposal include shifts designed to make percentage increases for each institution closer to even. JFAC approved the same line items for the various colleges and universities that Otter recommended, with a few changes. Among them, lawmakers added $134,000 to Otter’s proposal for one position and $204,000 to Lewis-Clark State College for advising and career readiness, including the Work Scholars Program. Budget writers also allocated $582,000 and two positions to the University of Idaho for the first phase of its planned library investment; and added $200,000 in one-time funding to Idaho State University for the planning and design of the Center for Education Innovation.
The higher education budget heads to the House and Senate for consideration. (Spokesman-Review)
