The Idaho State Legislature’s Joint Fiscal and Appropriations Committee will begin three days of training and meetings in Twin Falls on Monday.
The Joint Fiscal Appropriations Committee sets the state budget each year and is one of the largest and hardest working committees in the Idaho Legislature.
The Idaho Legislature is not currently in session, but the JFAC fall meeting, held outside the Idaho State Capitol in Bosey, is part of the tradition and warm-up for the new legislative session that begins in January. increase.
At this year’s roadshow in Magic Valley, JFAC members were briefed on the state’s General Fund and began reviewing budget requests for agencies, from K-12 public schools to the Idaho Department of Health and Human Services to Medicaid, for fiscal year 2024 To do. , amendments, and the entire range of state governments. Commission members can also tour Southern Idaho University, the Idaho Department of Agriculture’s quality laboratory, and the new juvenile court building.
Rep. Wendy Homan, an Idaho Falls Republican and JFAC member who often helps set budgets for public schools, said fall training and budget briefings are important enough that the first two days of the conference He said he was planning to secure a car to attend. Recovering from shoulder surgery.
“These meetings will help the legislative session run more smoothly, so when January comes, it won’t come in the dark. said Homan in a telephone interview.
Given the turnover rate in the Idaho Legislature and JFAC, training and budget review meetings this fall could prove particularly important. At least 11 of her 20 members of the JFAC are set to be newly elected in his 2023 parliament.
Homan said several current and incoming lawmakers have expressed interest in serving in the JFAC given the vacancies. Homan said he held his JFAC 101 training of sorts, attended by 18 incoming lawmakers. Homan also encourages incumbents and legislative candidates to follow his JFAC meeting this week for updates.
Monday and Tuesday meetings begin at 8:00 am at the College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. Wednesday meetings begin at 10am at Bruno Dunes State Park, followed by a tour of Anderson Ranch Reservoir at 2pm. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda is available on the Idaho Legislative website.
The 2023 legislative session begins January 9 at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, with the Governor’s annual state address.
