Idaho legislative panel passes $576.8M higher ed budget

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Idaho legislative budget writers have unanimously approved a 3 percent, $8.7 million general fund budget increase next year for Idaho’s four public colleges and universities.

The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee on Tuesday signed off on the $576.8 million spending plan, including $295.8 million in state support and $281 million in tuition and other dedicated funding sources.

Members supported more than $186,000 and two full-time positions for Lewis-Clark State College, which plans to hire a social work professor and career counselor, while also providing salary competitiveness for existing counselors.

The total amount of state funding each institution receives will be determined by the Idaho State Board of Education.

JFAC also approved a $3.5 million dollar increase in the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, which will expand the program to serve another 1,000 students.

The higher education budget still needs approval in both chambers and the governor’s signature, but budgets rarely change once passed through the joint committee. (Lewiston Tribune)

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