Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey has an interesting look today at how state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna sought support from the state's school board members for his reform plan, and at first seemed to have it, but then didn't; it was the only stakeholder…
Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, told ISU President Arthur Vailas, "I am concerned that the unrestricted, unallocated net assets for the universities are as low as they are," and Vailas said, "I have the same concerns you do." Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, said he looks…
ISU President Arthur Vailas said when he arrived at the university, it had hardly any reserves, which lawmakers made clear to him was unacceptable. It now has $7.6 million in net unrestricted assets, he said, though that is only 3.7 percent of its prior year…
Dr. Arthur Vailas, president of Idaho State University, told JFAC this morning that ISU has achieved a high honor, achieving "research university-high" status from the Carnegie Foundation. It was one of very few public universities nationally to increase its status this year, he noted. ISU…
Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, told IPTV general manager Peter Morrill, "This committee got a lot of emails in support of Public TV last year. My question is, if each one of those emails came with a financial contribution you would be in much different financial…
Peter Morrill, general manager of Idaho Public Television, told lawmakers this morning that broadcast television actually is drawing more viewership these days: People are watching an average of 35 hours a week of broadcast TV, but just 20 minutes of online video. He also noted…
Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on why state lawmakers called their parks chief on the carpet today over letters that were sent to 32,000 boaters about the possible closure of the 3rd Street boat launch in Coeur d'Alene. State Parks Director…
Idaho already has more than 75 options for special license plates, from breast cancer awareness to snow skier to historic preservation to "Support Our Troops." Today, legislation was introduced to add another one, to benefit the Idaho Aviation Foundation. Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, who is…
Idaho state parks Director Nancy Merrill told the Senate Resources Committee today that when her agency sent 32,000 letters out to registered boat owners in North Idaho about the possible closure of the 3rd Street boat launch in Coeur d'Alene, it was following state law,…
The Senate Resources Committee will hear from state Parks Director Nancy Merrill today about the 3rd Street Boat Launch in Coeur d'Alene, which has been a target for possible closure. "We just want to know what's going on," said Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, the…
Here's a link to our full story at spokesman.com on today's budget discussions about the University of Idaho, and talk among lawmakers about use of reserves at the state's colleges and universities. "Frankly, your money looks better to me than mine does at this point,"…
Today is Boise State University day in the 4th floor of the Capitol rotunda, with lots of displays, giveaways, and folks eager to tell lawmakers and others what they do in programs ranging from energy to health. Also this week, University of Idaho Day is…
John Hammel, dean of the UI Agricultural Research & Extension Service, is now giving his budget presentation to lawmakers; the agency has seen its base budget cut by 20 percent in the last two years, he said, plus another $7.5 million cut in one-time funds.…
JFAC Co-Chair Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, said the University of Idaho has exercised good fiscal management and has maintained reserves in tough times. She told UI President Duane Nellis, "I hope you can find some one-time ways to help us through this." Nellis responded, "I…
Overall, the governor's proposed budget for Idaho's colleges and universities next year calls for an additional 1.3 percent cut in general funds, and a 3.5 percent cut in total funds, on top of the much larger cuts universities have seen in the past two years.…
"According to the state Board of Education, not counting unfunded occupancy costs, we would need to increase our student fees another 8 percent just to cover unfunded maintenance costs for operations items," University of Idaho President Duane Nellis told JFAC. "If we were to cover…
The University of Idaho implemented a "strategic hiring freeze" in fiscal year 2009. It's now down 44 regular faculty and 36 staff positions, not including changes in part-timers; the total reduction in full-time equivalent employees from the general education budget is 136. Add in 73…
Of the University of Idaho's total operating budget for the current year of $453 million, only 23 percent - $104 million - comes from the state general fund. That includes general education, agricultural research and extension, medical education and special programs. Grants, contracts and federal…
The past two years have brought the two largest freshman classes in the University of Idaho's history, President Duane Nellis told JFAC this morning as he presents his budget request. Research, too, is continuing to grow, he said. "Last year alone our faculty submitted more…
The University of Idaho was ranked 153rd in the nation in the most recent U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges," UI President Duane Nellis told lawmakers this morning. The Carnegie Foundation classified UI as a "research university with high research activity." "Every year, we…
Though Lewis-Clark State College enrollment has been soaring, budget cuts are taking their toll, interim President Tony Fernandez told legislative budget writers this morning. Already, certain highly sought after classes, like microbiology, have had enrollment caps, making it harder for students to get into sections…
Lewis-Clark State College has seen its total student enrollment rise 68 percent since 2000, interim President Tony Fernandez told JFAC this morning. "We think that our enrollment increases in the last few years show that we continue to be a successful higher-education enterprise for the…
Freshman Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, is on the House State Affairs Committee agenda this morning, along with Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, to present legislation on "state sovereignty." Barbieri said it's the "nullification" bill on national health care reform that's been discussed, but some changes…
Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, says part of the idea behind his medical marijuana legislation is to save money for Idaho's money-strapped Medicaid program. “It’s a safe, nontoxic, nonaddictive drug, as contrasted to opiates like morphine, oxycontin and hydrocodone,” he said. “There could be a substantial…
On tonight's “Idaho Reports” on Idaho Public TV, I join host Thanh Tan, Jim Weatherby, Kevin Richert and David Adler to discuss the events of the week, including the historic public hearing that JFAC held today on public school funding, drawing a huge outpouring of…
News, happenings and more from the Idaho Legislature and the state capital.
