The Idaho Commission on the Arts is asking legislative budget writers to accept Governor Brad Little’s request for the commission’s just over $2 million operating budget for fiscal year 2020. 
Commission Director Michael Faison Monday told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the panel helps support such events as the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival held each summer in Weiser. The commission also has a variety of other programs that help Idaho artists as well as training artists.
Most of the commission’s $1 million in operating expenses come from the federal government. Little recommends the arts commission receive $857,000 from the state’s general fund, up some $16,000 from the year prior.
Lawmakers will decide on the spending plan in the coming weeks. (AP)
