PRESS RELEASE — Friday, November 6, 2009
For information contact: Bob Evancho at 373-7369
Anne Peterson at 373-7368
— Airs Thursday, November 12, at 8:30/7:30 p.m. MT/PT
—Repeats Sunday, November 15, at 5:30/4:30 p.m. MT/PT
—See it in HD Thursday, November 12, at 9:30/
8:30 p.m. MT/PT and Sunday, November 15, at 8:30/7:30 p.m. MT/PT (High Definition, digital sub-channel 2)
Despite an improving economy, Idaho’s state budget remains in trouble. Gov. Butch Otter ordered mid-year cuts of $99 million, yet the state still faces a shortfall of another $52 million.
This week on Dialogue, host Joan Cartan-Hansen will talk with policymakers about the state’s fiscal challenges and the options they may have to consider when the Legislature convenes in January.
This show’s guests are Wayne Hammon, administrator of Idaho’s Division of Financial Management; Rep. Darrell Bolz (R-Caldwell), vice chair of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee; and Rep. Wendy Jaquet (D-Ketchum), a JFAC member.
Viewers are encouraged to call in with their questions. The live Thursday (November 12) show at 8:30/7:30 p.m. MT/PT will take call from viewers on a toll-free line: 1-800-973-9800. Questions can also be e-mailed to dialogue@idahoptv.org. There is no call-in segment on the Sunday (November 15) repeat at 5:30/4:30 MT/PT.
How bleak is the budget situation? One in five Idaho school districts has declared a financial emergency, Idaho’s Medicaid program may have to eliminate 23 percent of the health benefits it provides to the state’s poor and disabled, and state prisons are housing 500 more offenders than a year ago, with $28 million less in funding.