Federal bill includes funds for Special Olympics in Idaho

BOISE – Idaho’s congressional leaders have managed to insert $7.5 million into a comprehensive federal spending bill for the Special Olympics winter games planned in Idaho in 2009.

It’s the second time in the last two months lawmakers have tried to win the money. Last month, President Bush vetoed a Labor, Health and Human Services spending bill that set aside $8 million for the games.

This time, Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Larry Craig attached the request to an omnibus bill voted on by the House Monday and which faces the Senate today.

“All we can do is keep trying with these funding packages and hope that one passes so we can get the Special Olympics the money they need and deserve,” said Nikki Watts, spokesman for Simpson.

Organizers of the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games say the federal money is essential to the overall budget and future fundraising efforts.

Chip Fisher, chairman and CEO of the Idaho games, says the $7.5 million represents more than one-quarter of the $28 million needed to put on a modest production. The money will be used for housing, meals, security, communications, education, facility rentals, transportation and other needs at game venues in Boise and other locations in the state.

Fisher says the federal appropriation would also provide leverage and credibility when organizers begin courting other donors in coming months.

“With this money under our belt, everybody will say, ‘Geez, we’re not really putting good money after bad, no matter how noble the cause,’ ” Fisher said. “Without it, it just makes our jobs that much tougher over the next 14 months.”