Gov. Butch Otter has issued the following statement, in response to JFAC's action today setting the budget for Idaho Public Television for next year, which trimmed the budget but not nearly as much as Otter originally had proposed, when he called for a four-year phaseout of all state funding for the network:

"I appreciate JFAC's action today and its careful consideration of this issue. I look forward to continuing our work together on this and other efforts to help ensure State agencies live within the people's means. That's the most important goal we share. Today's action is another step in a process that began last fall when we started with holdbacks. Since then, the State Board of Education has increased its oversight of IPTV and we have a new business plan that we are examining to see if we can find more savings in the future. I also am working with Representative Moyle and Senator Hill on House Bill 630 to increase the charitable tax credit for IPTV donors. All that will contribute toward a secure and self-sustaining public television system for all of Idaho."

Otter also is scheduled to make a fundraising appearance Wednesday night on Idaho Public Television during the airing of the “Capitol of Light” documentary. The governor is scheduled to appear around 7:20 p.m.

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