Close to 60 people testified at this morning's public hearing on the state budget; more than 40 addressed concerns, often very personal ones, about funding for Medicaid and Health & Welfare programs; more than half a dozen spoke out for establishing a state suicide prevention hotline, including parents who have lost children to suicide; nearly as many spoke about education funding; and several expressed concerns about state employee compensation.

Closing the hearing, JFAC Co-Chair Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, said quietly, "We thank you for coming and participating, and we have heard your message." From the audience, a woman called out, "Thank you!"