For the state Department of Administration, legislative budget analyst Joe Austin went over a budget proposal developed by Sens. Cameron and Mortimer and Reps. Bell, Ringo and Jaquet that calls for a general-fund cut of 7.6 percent, and an overall reduction of 0.7 percent. It includes $3 million in spending authority for the Idaho Education Network, but Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said, "I need to let the committee members know where I'm at, and this has been a very very touchy subject. I probably will not vote for additional funding for the Idaho Education Network. That's up to you what you do, I'm not trying to persuade you one way or the other. ... I'm still very uncomfortable, however."

He said he and JFAC Co-Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, have "tried our best to work carefully with the governor's office" to come up with proposals that include lots of legislative oversight of the project. But Cameron said, "That's where I'm at." He said, "I support the project, I think it has the potential of being a wonderful program for schools and for kids, I really do." But, he said, "I have fairly strong feelings about how it was handled. ... I have to do what I think is right for me and my constituents."

Said Bell, "We have to have this budget to go home. We can give a budget that the governor vetoes and then we're called right back. ... We don't have the luxury of that type of game-playing." She added, "Those of you who can't vote for it, I certainly understand."