Briefs January 12, 2011
Public can meet UI-Cd'A candidates
COEUR d'ALENE - A new center executive officer is being sought for the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene.
Five candidates have been selected for further consideration to fill the vice president's position since Larry Branen retired last summer.
The public is welcome to meet the candidates between Jan. 11-21, from 4 to 5 p.m., at the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene campus, 1031 N. Academic Way.
Candidate Open Forums are scheduled on:
* Jan. 11: Erik Anderson
* Jan. 18: Sharon Siverts
* Jan. 19: William Trumble
* Jan. 20: Earl Gibbons
* Jan. 21: Charles Buck
Information: www.uidaho.edu/cda/avpsearch/interviews.
Morris to speak about health reform
COEUR d'ALENE -
Join with the League of Women Voters of Kootenai County to hear the latest developments in health reform from Joe Morris, CEO emeritus of Kootenai Health.
"Health Reform: What's Next?" will be the title of this presentation, which is open to the public. It will be noon Thursday at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room.
Refreshments will be available.
Info: http://lwv-kc.org, or www.lwv.org.
Latest RAC appointments made
COEUR d'ALENE -
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced new appointments or re-appointments of four members to the Coeur d'Alene District's citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils.
The RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau of Land Management carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres.
The latest appointments are: Kimberly Rice Brown, archaeological and historical interest representative; David Brummer, commercial timber representative; Keegan Schmidt, academia representative; Kimberly Friend, commercial recreation representative.
Education funds could get boost
BOISE (AP) - Gov. Butch Otter projects Idaho will end the fiscal year with $50 million in the bank to carry forward, but lawmakers were warned they could have to spend a bulk of that money on education.
The Legislature's budget chief says that's because of agreements Idaho made with the federal government on funding levels for education while receiving stimulus funding and money to preserve teaching jobs.
Cathy Holland-Smith told lawmakers Tuesday that Idaho could have to spend $34.6 million of the projected $50 million on public schools and higher education at the year's end, leaving just $15.4 million to carry forward.
Holland-Smith says lawmakers could give the money to public education, forcing cuts to other agencies to make up the difference. Or they can distribute the money at the end of this fiscal year and deduct that same amount from spending on public education next year, canceling out the difference.