This Friday morning, for the first time, JFAC will take public testimony, and it'll be on the public school budget. From 8-11 a.m., anyone who wishes to offer their thoughts can address JFAC, with a time limit of 3 minutes per person. The hearing will take place in the Capitol Auditorium; a week later, JFAC will hold a similar, and similarly unprecedented, hearing on Health and Welfare funding.

For those interested in testifying on Friday morning, or those who can't make the hearing but want to submit testimony, JFAC is offering tips and information; click below for all the details.

JFAC invites public to hearings on public education and health and welfare budgets
Boise, Idaho – For the first time this year, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) is taking public testimony on two budget areas: Public Education, and Health and Welfare.
     The first hearing, which is on the public education budget, will take place this Friday, January 21 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The second hearing will be focused on the health and welfare budgets and will take place January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Both hearings will take place in the Capitol Auditorium (located in the basement of the Idaho Capitol).
     Those wishing to testify (for a maximum of three minutes each) are encouraged to arrive early as the opportunity to testify will be given on a first come, first serve basis – with the co-chairs using their discretion to allow for geographic diversity. Legislative staff will begin taking sign-ups at 7 a.m.
     Those testifying are encouraged to focus on the budget and be specific in their concerns and comments. Members of the public are encouraged to bring their testimony in writing. Due to limited time, all who come may not get a chance to testify before the committee. However, all written testimony will be taken, added to the public record and distributed to all committee members.
     Those unable to attend one or both of the public hearings are encouraged to send their thoughts to JFACtestimony@lso.idaho.gov. Any comments sent to this email will be added to the public record and distributed to the members of the committee. The public hearing will be streamed live over the Internet and can be found at http://www.idahoptv.org/leglive/.
     For additional information, please call Idaho Legislative Services at  (208) 332-4730.
Keys to Successful Testimony
1. Be specific. Tell the committee how you want the budget to look: what programs/projects need to be preserved, which will be least harmful to cut?
2. Write down your testimony. If you get nervous, you’ll have something to refer to. Also, if you don’t get a chance to testify, you can turn in your written testimony. It will be added to the public record and shared with the committee.
3. Arrive early. Testimony will be given on a first come, first serve basis (with some allowances, granted at the Chair’s discretion, for geographic diversity).
4. Be polite. Committee members are most receptive to constructive, thoughtful comments. This is a forum meant to gather public input, and everyone should feel comfortable sharing their opinions.