JFAC opens final day of agency budget-setting with unanimous votes on Ag Extension, Career-Tech Ed

Today is the final day of agency budget-setting in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. So far, there have been unanimous votes on the first two budgets, for the Agricultural Research & Extension Service and for Career-Technical Education. On the Ag Extension, the successful motion, from Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield, matched Gov. Butch Otter’s recommendation.

On career-technical education, the motion from Rep. Wendy Horman and Sen. Dean Mortimer, both Idaho Falls Republicans, exceeded the governor’s recommendation by $1.2 million, reflecting a 5.3 percent increase in state general funds, compared to Otter’s recommended 3.4 percent.

The difference: Horman explained that Otter recommended funding the top priority from each institution within the CTE program with the aim of reducing program waiting lists; the JFAC proposal funds the top two priorities. Mortimer said, “We know that career-technical has a very high employment rate, has good wages, and we know that that’s a good portion of the Idaho workforce.”

Horman said, “We know that career-technical students already go on in excess of the 60 percent goal rate, and we felt this was an important investment to help our state move further in that direction.” She noted that a prioritized list of programs was submitted; the approved budget remains well below the 7.7 percent increase that was requested. “We felt that was a good return on investment,” she said. The budget also includes the governor’s recommendation for expansion of course offerings in the Secondary Incentive Program.