The House has passed HB 659, the budget for Idaho's colleges and universities for next year, which sponsor Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Idaho Falls, noted includes an 8.4 percent funding increase over this year - but only after a 26.4 percent funding decrease since 2009. The increase is mostly for new research initiatives and to cover anticipated enrollment growth next year; it doesn't restore the past cuts. The budget bill now moves to the Senate. Several House members said they wished the budget was more generous but would support it because it showed an increase; Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, said she'd oppose it because she thought the state had been more than generous to education. The House vote was 58-9.