JFAC has set a budget for the Idaho State Police for next year that freezes the "Project Choice" program that's been upping police officers' pay to bring it up to par. "I felt it was important we put it on hold this year, because all other state employees have been put in the same position," said JFAC Vice-Chair Rep. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell. The budget also draws down balances in some funds to cover budgetary shortfalls. As a result, the bottom line for ISP is a 21.9 percent cut in state general funds for next year, but just a 0.5 percent cut in overall funding for the department. Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, JFAC co-chair, thanked ISP for understanding about the holdup in "Project Choice," and the need to tap those funds to balance the agency's budget instead of giving raises. Bolz said the state can "pick it up when the economy comes back." The vote was unanimous.