As the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved the remaining base line decisions this morning to prepare for setting state agency budgets next week, it stuck largely to Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendations, with just one exception: Adding an additional $8 million to the public school budget to reflect the 99 additional support units – about 99 classrooms full of kids – who are expected to enroll in Idaho’s public schools next year, based on the latest figures. Otter also has recognized the enrollment growth, including it in a budget update his budget chief, Jani Revier, presented to JFAC yesterday, but it hadn’t been formally incorporated into his budget recommendation.

The governor’s recommendations were accepted for a 3 percent base salary increase for classified staff and administrators in public schools; for non-discretionary adjustments to agency base budgets, which reflect the impact of existing law and changes in enrollment, caseloads, utilization and federal match rate adjustments in Medicaid; and funding for cybersecurity insurance for all state agencies.

Next, the panel will hear from the chairs of the various germane committees in the House and Senate, including Health & Welfare, Judiciary &  Rules, and Transportation, on their panels' recommendations for budgeting. Remaining supplemental appropriations for the current year will be considered tomorrow and Monday, with agency budget-setting for fiscal year 2018 to start on Tuesday.