Idaho House of Representatives passed HB387 Monday, the higher education budget, potentially affecting the funding for the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University. Legislative members from District 5 voiced their discontent with the outcome from the House.
District 5 Rep. Caroline Nilsson Troy, a Republican from Genesee, takes issue with HB387. Troy was disappointed when discussion on potentially taking the bill off the floor and cutting more of the budget was introduced. Although, additional cuts were not made, keeping the planned $2.5 million. The bill passed the house 49-20 with Troy reluctantly voting in favor of it.
“Sometimes the budget is what you have to vote on, and one person can’t change it,” Troy said. “So, I voted for it.”
Troy remains positive on the $400,000 tuition assistance Lewis-Clark State College would receive as a result of the higher education budget cuts.
The main justification for the higher education budget cuts is due to concerns about “social justice agendas” within Idaho’s four-year universities. Conservative lawmakers have been aiming to eliminate these agendas by cutting the budgets that fund the programs. The Idaho Legislature previously sliced BSU’s budget in early March. Troy believes the four institutions have already received the message, as well as everyone in the state.
An example of programming the House took interest in was Alternative Service Breaks provided to UI students. ASB’s are opportunities for UI students to travel and volunteer during a holiday break. Troy referenced her daughter’s own experience traveling to Mississippi to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina for an ASB. She said college students should be encouraged to give back to the community and learn how to be good citizens.
“It’s going to start to impact the reputation of these fine institutions,” Troy said.
District 5 Sen. David Nelson, a Democrat from Moscow, also voiced discontent on the House voting through HB387. Nelson said there is no reason for the budget to be cut and that HB387 lacks evidence of social justice indoctrination. Education is one of Nelson’s priorities in the Idaho Senate. He said with the current surplus in the budget there was a missed opportunity to increase higher education funds.
Nelson sees the possibility of future legislative sessions bringing up the debate of social justice agendas on the university level.
“I think it’s the newest on the culture wars,” Nelson said.
The budget will now go to the Idaho Senate with the date still to be determined. It would slash $2.5 million from Idaho four-year public universities. UI and ISU would have $500,000 eliminated and BSU would lose $1.5 million.
Sierra Pesnell can be reached at [email protected]