Mike Rush, Head of Idaho PTE to Present Budget to JFAC Friday

Mike Rush, the head of the State Division of Professional Technical Education is scheduled to present before the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee Friday, January 18th at 8:45 a.m. MT, 7:45 a.m. PT.

The Chamber has strenuously advocated for increased PTE funding to meet the expansive need of employees for our area's businesses. We strongly support Mike Rush's budget in which he calls for substantial increases for various PTE programs. We encourage our membership to reach the JFAC members directly or submit written testimony to Kathryn Yost, Committee secretary at kyost@house.idaho.gov to show your support for this budget request.

Mike Rush Submits PTE Funding Increase to the Governor

Mike Rush, State Administrator of the Division of Professional Technical Education met with Governor Otter today presenting his departments 2008 Budget Request which entails a substantial increase in PTE funding. The Chamber has responded by sending a letter in support of this request to the Governor and later will do the same to JFAC. Businesses are encourage to contact the Governor and JFAC members to voice your support for PTE funding.

Urban Renewal Subject of Discussion at Joint Interim Land-Use Study Group Meeting Dec. 20th

The Joint Interim Land-Use Study Group will be convening in Boise December 20th to discuss Urban Renewal. At a previous meeting in December the group heard testimony regarding URA's with word coming out that Rep. Phil Hart of District 3 was entertaining a motion that would recommend legislation that would limit the life of URA districts more than current statute provides. In response the Chamber has submitted a letter for the record indicating our position in support of urban renewal as an effective economic development tool that should not be hindered in its current effectiveness. It seems that the meeting by this Study Group will not be taking testimony during the proceedings tomorrow raising concerns that URA's will be subject to ongoing assaults this legislative session.