The Idaho Legislature’s budget committee is looking to cut $2 million in general funds for the University of Idaho and Boise State University.
Representative Elaine Price, R-Coeur d’Alene, who holds an accounting associate degree from North Idaho College, is leading the effort and did not make any similar cuts to the budgets of Idaho State University or other Idaho colleges.
Representative Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, voiced support, citing concern that both BSU and UI were “incorporating elements of diversity, equity and inclusion into programs despite the state prohibiting colleges and universities from using state money for such programs,” according to the Idaho Capital Sun.
“The more I actually look into [it] — whether you look into the DEI aspects, critical race theory, the actual professors and some of the classes that are actually being taught — it saddens me to see the direction that our universities have taken,” Tanner told the Idaho Capital Sun.
Representative James Petzke, R-Meridian, and Senator Codi Galloway, R-Boise, both attempted to push back against the budget cuts.
“If this is related to DEI, I guess I’m a little bit confused, because there’s been language in the university’s budget the last couple of years that has specifically prohibited the universities from using any state-appropriated funds on anything DEI related,” Petzke said.
The motion to cut $2 million in funding was passed with a 13-7 vote in total among the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
The higher education budget will be sent to the Idaho Senate. For it to be successful, it must pass in the Idaho Senate and the Idaho House of Representatives, without being vetoed by Governor Brad Little.
Rebekah Brown can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu.