After three days of hearings and hours of testimony from county and city officials, an Idaho House panel has approved a bill that would temporarily freeze the portions of local government budgets funded by property taxes. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved the bill last week with a do pass recommendation on a 12-3 party line vote.

The bill prohibits local governments—except for school districts—from certifying a property tax budget or levy in 2020 that exceeds the amount budgeted in 2019.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERS NARROWING PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH FINALISTS

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The Idaho Senate Education Committee is considering a bill that would decrease the number of finalists that public state universities must name in presidential searches. The proposed legislation creates a new exemption in the public records law that would only require the names of three finalists for public four-year postsecondary institution president positions, rather than five.

Audio, Text, Senate, LegislationLogan FinneyJanuary 22, 2020Idaho State CapitolEducation, University, SBOE, Mike Keckler

GALLERY: UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS AT JFAC

The presidents of Idaho’s four-year public universities delivered a joint presentation to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on the state of higher education.

Photo, House, SenateLogan FinneyJanuary 20, 2020Idaho State CapitolEducation, Budget, University

LITTLE SETS EDUCATION PRIORITIES IN STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Governor Brad Little delivered his second State of the State address Monday, highlighting past achievements and calling for increased education spending amid an otherwise lean budget year. The governor’s proposed budget calls for improved K-3 literacy, increased teacher salaries, and investments in specific higher education programs.

Photo by Riley Haun, Idaho Public Radio

Text, GovernorLogan FinneyJanuary 6, 2020Idaho State CapitolBrad Little, Education, Budget, Republicans, Democrats