Idaho Public Television appears likely to escape budget cuts of the magnitude Gov. Butch Otter demanded at the start of the 2010 session.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Tuesday voted 19-0 to set IPTV’s government funding at $2.41 million, down 8.3 percent from the current fiscal year. Just 16 percent, or $269,000, is being trimmed from the state taxpayers’ share, half of Otter’s January proposal when he announced plans to phase out state taxpayer support by 2014.
Otter originally said government-backed TV had grown superfluous, but the Republican chief later said his proposed phase-out came only after public TV manager Peter Morrill didn’t respond adequately to his demands for trimming the fat in late 2009.
Morrill says he’s doing his best to meet Otter’s demands.
Meanwhile, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare programs to treat drug- and alcohol-addicted residents will see a nearly 16 percent cut in fiscal year 2011 funding, another casualty of the poor economy.
JFAC members voted 17-3 for a $26.1 million budget, down from more than $30 million this fiscal year. (AP)
