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Idaho's 2013 Legislature convened in Boise on January 7. We've put together a guide to the session, including ways to contact your lawmaker, how to get involved, and comprehensive information about the people elected to office.

LISTEN: ISU and U of I Presidents Discuss Higher Ed As A Legislative Priority

Emilie Ritter Saunders
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Boise State Public Radio

In recent years, funding for higher education has been a secondary focus for Idaho lawmakers. Following the recession, K-12 schools were lawmakers’ top education priority. But now - amid continued revenue growth and changing workforce needs - higher education is being discussed more and more. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter proposed this week the state’s four-year colleges and universities get a nearly 9 percent increase in state funding next fiscal year. That's a larger increase than his proposal for K-12 schools. 

KBSX News Director Scott Graf spoke with all three of Idaho’s university presidents following Otter's proposal. Each endorsed the budget proposal as a positive for their institution.

Click below to hear our on-air conversations with Idaho State President Arthur Vailas and University of Idaho President Chuck Staben. You can hear Boise State President Bob Kustra's interview here

staben_edit_web.mp3
University of Idaho President Chuck Staben.

For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915  

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