Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, discusses the budget set for higher education Tuesday. McGeachin was one of several lawmakers on the Joint Finance-Appropriation (JFAC) that worked closely on the budget for public universities and colleges, which would see a $32.1 million reduction.

McGeachin talked with IdahoReporter.com about the budget for higher ed.

McGeachin also discussed the process of setting the budget for universities and colleges, which started with setting the revenue target.

McGeachin discussed the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). Initially, lawmakers on JFAC set aside $4 million for CAES, but it is included in the overall budget for higher education. Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, said money for CAES shouldn't be a line item in the budget, but is important. “It’s a jobs creation program," he said. "We think it’s an economic boost program. The universities, we believe, will get the money.” He said the State Board of Education and university leaders will make the final decision on how much to fund CAES. JFAC's instructions say that money should be split between Idaho State University, the University of Idaho, and Boise State University.