Budgets for state higher education institutions have been taking a hit in Idaho for quite a few years. Even during times when public schools or other angeices are bumped upward, the colleges and universities (except for some one-time construction projects) have had to make do with ever less, in terms of percentage of state spending and in buying power.

Some of the reasons why may have emerged in a discussion involving University of Idaho President Timothy White, who was speaking to the legislature’s budget-writing committee (the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee), and St. Maries Republican Representative Dick Harwood, who is one of that committee’s 20 members. As Spokane Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell quoted Harwood:

“In my community, we have four people, the only thing they got was high school graduation, and yet they’re the main contributors to our community. The key to being successful is to find something you love to do and doing it – not really the education.”

Pieces of Idaho’s education funding policy thereby stand explained.