FY15 Budget
Revenue committee backs Otter’s forecast
An 18-member legislative committee agreed the economy is improving and forecast revenue growth for next year at 6.4 percent, backing the figure Otter built his budget around.
JFAC leaders push for state raises
Although Gov. Otter recommended no across-the-board raises for employees, key legislators are exploring opportunities to offer workers a boost in light of low earnings reports.
Budget writers examine school funding, pay
JFAC members signal the issue of pay and raises has not been decided yet, while some lawmakers are gearing up to define how operations funding can be spent as the state seeks to reverse recession-era budget cuts.
State of the State reaction-o-rama
Do you want to catch up on what key politicos and education stakeholders thought of Gov. Butch Otter’s speech Monday? Look no further.
Teacher pay overlooked in governor’s budget
Superintendent Tom Luna and the Idaho Education Association agree that Otter should have put money into teacher compensation. Luna vows to “fight” to ensure teachers get more money.
Analysis: Otter’s budget balancing act
In his budget proposal, Gov. Butch Otter suggests some money for education task force proposals — but he also strikes a series of conservative chords.
Otter outlines education spending plan
Although he backed the task force’s recommendations, Otter did not fund plans for a career ladder and provided no money for teacher raises.
Experts offer positive economic outlook
Lawmakers charged with setting revenue projections to budget around heard from top economists and state officials. The meetings continue today at the Statehouse.
Up for grabs: $26 million for K-12 education
Because Idaho is not ready to set up a career ladder program, which was one of the task force recommendations, more money could be available to reverse cuts to school district operational budgets.
Otter may not fully fund task force plans
Gov. Butch Otter teased out a few details about his state budget proposal — and the numbers will likely come up short of state superintendent Tom Luna’s K-12 spending plan.