An earlier decision by JFAC to cut positions at the Office of Species Conservation was reconsidered in the joint committee this morning and reversed. Some of the backers of the original cut said they were mistaken, and apologized. "I'm thinking that the motion that passed was, at this time, too disruptive," said Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow. The agency had received two large grants, and was authorized by the governor to hire two additional employees with the grant money. JFAC's earlier budget for the agency cut the two employees - meaning two others there would have to be eliminated. Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, proposed the reversal.

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