Gov. Butch Otter held his first public bill-signing of the session today, signing into law HB 459, creating a $5 million community college start-up fund that would be available if eastern Idaho residents vote to form a new community college in their region. If they do, it would replace Eastern Idaho Technical College, which unlike a community college, is fully state-funded and receives no local property tax support; it’s also limited in the types of degrees and programs it can offer.

Otter noted that he headed the campaign to form the College of Western Idaho, which has become the fastest-growing community college in the country. “With this bill, we just have another opportunity for another community,” he said.

Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, said, “We’re hopeful that the citizens of eastern Idaho agree with us that a community college in the Idaho Falls area would be a great thing, both for the students and for the economy.” Said Rep. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, “This is a great opportunity for our region.”