The Senate has voted 26-8 to approve a grim budget for next year for the state’s community colleges, including a 9.2 percent cut in state general funds and a cut of 12.2 percent in total funds. Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, spoke out against the bill and other budgets containing big cuts for education. “The college of Western Idaho and other community colleges around the state are facing record enrollment growths at a time when people are losing jobs,” she said. The budget plan, she said, would “cripple” the schools’ ability to “meet this enrollment growth and help people through this difficult economic time”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Higher-ed stabilization bill signed into law/Eye On Boise
• Hart's bill restricting license technology clears House/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter
• Otter: Dems got it wrong on health care reform/Dan Popkey, Statesman
• House panel OKs pay cut for Otter, 6 others/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter
• Immunization bill clears House panel unanimously/Eye On Boise
• House OKs emergency surcharge for courts/Eye On Boise
• Concussion bill headed to amending order/Eye On Boise
• House OKs bill protecting police officers/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter