Otter Says: Add $101 Million to Idaho Schools Budget

BOISE -- (KTVB) Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is asking lawmakers to restore money for public education back to pre-recessional levels by adding more than $101 million to Idaho schools budget.

The amount is a 7.4 percent boost from last year's budget and includes more than $31 million to increase teacher pay.

Idaho lawmakers slashed education funding in 2009 during the economic downturn right after the legislature passed one of the highest education budgets in the state's history. Lawmakers have promised to restore education funding but have been wary adding too much too soon.

However, the budget only includes $20 million for operational funding -money school districts have to use for their discretion- which does not return to 2008 spending levels.

Otter proposed his budget outline during Monday's State of the State address.