Budget Writers Slash School Aid Package By Millions Nearly $11 Million Diverted To Reserve Fund As Hedge Against Flood Damage
Legislative budget writers, jittery about Idaho’s economy generating enough tax revenue to meet demands and handle potential flood damage, set the stage on Friday for slashing millions of dollars from this year’s school aid package.
The final piece of a plan to balance the 1997 budget would cut $10.7 million from education funding. Only $7 million of that would be restored with surplus cash earned from state lands - mostly money that can be spent only for education.
The move allows lawmakers to keep $10.7 million more in the state’s reserve fund as a hedge against another round of budget problems like those of this year and last. Gov. Phil Batt had to impose across-the-board spending cuts of 2 percent and 2.5 percent last year and this year when tax revenues failed to live up to projections. Only public school aid has been protected from those cuts.
The actual $3.7 million reduction in school support from the original aid package reflected smaller than anticipated enrollment growth and a larger number of newer, less experienced teachers. That lowers the state’s required contribution to school district salaries.
“This will get public schools through this year in a hold-harmless fashion,” chief analyst Jeff Youtz told the committee as it wrapped up 3-1/2 weeks of budget hearings.
The committee was scheduled to adopt the proposal on Monday.
Earlier Friday, a new public opinion poll showed that of 412 registered voters surveyed last week 81 percent supported increasing spending on education, but only 52 percent supported increasing taxes to finance more school aid. The poll, conducted by Idaho Consulting International, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points.
Critics maintained that general tax revenue would have provided hard-pressed districts with $300 more per classroom for books, instructional materials and other educational expenses.
It is the second straight year the budget committee has used the accounting maneuver on the public school aid package. A year ago, lawmakers used $3.1 million in earnings from public lands to replace general tax money originally allotted to school support. That money would have gone to schools this year otherwise.
This year, however, would be the first time the Legislature actually reduced the overall amount of money originally appropriated for public school operations.
xxxx ON THE RECORD They said it: “I made a mistake … I misread it.” - Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, after voting for a food inspection bill that he said he opposed.
Food for thought: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted 5-4 to send a bill to the Senate that would impose a $55 inspection fee on restaurants. Sen. Gordon Crow, R-Hayden, voted against the bill, while Boatright voted for it.
You be the judge: The Senate passed a bill that would give North Idaho a new judge. Sens. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint; Jack Riggs, R-Coeur d’Alene; Marguerite McLaughlin, D-Orofino; Crow and Boatright voted “yes” in the unanimous decision.
For business or pleasure: The House passed a bill eliminating the homeowner’s exemption from property tax on the portion of a home that is used solely for business. Reps. Jeff Alltus, R-Hayden, and Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint, voted against the bill. Reps. John Campbell, R-Sandpoint; Jim Clark, R-Hayden; Charles Cuddy, D-Orofino; June Judd, D-St. Maries; Hilde Kellogg, R-Post Falls; and Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, all voted “yes.” The vote was 47-22; the bill now goes to the Senate.
To reach your legislator, call (800) 626-0471, send a fax to 334-5397 or e-mail to infocntr@lso.state.id.us. To check on legislative agendas or the status of legislation, anyone with a computer, modem and Internet access may go to http://www.state.id.us, or search for the keywords “Idaho Legislature.” - Associated Press