Story Published: Feb 14, 2011 at 4:34 PM PDT
Story Updated: Feb 14, 2011 at 4:34 PM PDT
"We're not expecting all agencies to see a five percent cut," said Sen. Dean Cameron, co-chair of the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee.
"For example, we can't take five percent from the Department of Correction," Cameron said. "That means we would have to let people out of jail and stop monitoring parolees. That's a place the governor, and I and the (JFAC) committee won't go."
And yes, public education is on the table.
"Well, when we say everything is on the table, that's part of everything," said Rep. Scott Bedke, assistant majority leader.
Schools and Medicaid would see the biggest fiscal year 2012 cuts, according to a proposal for Idaho agencies to prepare for spending reductions of up to 5 percent.
Schools would have to give up $60 million, Medicaid would lose
$22 million, while colleges and universities would sacrifice $10.9 million.
Agencies were told to submit plans by this Thursday to Legislative Services budget analysts.
As in past holdbacks spearheaded by Gov. Butch Otter, agencies were told to list pitfalls associated with proposed cuts and which would be most problematic.
This strategy has helped avoid across-the-board cuts that agency leaders have said could undermine their mission.
Otter had hoped to limit budget cuts at $35 million, but recent tax revenues have forced officials to concede his January proposal
was too optimistic.
"We assumed a cut of two or two-and-a-half percent," said Rep. Bedke. "Now it looks more like five."
