Legislative committee recommends Idaho PTV gets 9.8 percent hike in state support

Idaho’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee is recommending that Idaho Public Television receive a boost in state support over the governor’s recommendation, mainly for equipment replacement, according to the Spokesman-Review.

Gov. Butch Otter had recommended a 2.6 percent hike in state funding in next year’s budget, to $1.6 million. IPTV’s request was for a 78.2 percent rise to $2.8 million. The legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a 9.8 percent increase to $1.7 million.

Included is funding to replace $34,000 worth of failed, 22-year-old equipment that has knocked out service to the communities of Challis, Salmon and Leadore, the newspaper noted.

The recommendation now goes to the full House and Senate.