The Idaho Senate approved the first budget proposal for the next fiscal year, which begins in July.  Senators overwhelmingly approved the $5 million budget for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC).  None of IPUC's money comes from the state general fund.

“It’s still a very tight budget, in the amount of a 1.6 percent increase,” said Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, one of the leaders of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which sets agency budgets.  Cameron said that while the IPUC budget is the first budget approved, more will be coming soon.  "We've got a whole host that will be on there tomorrow."

The IPUC budget now heads to the House for approval. All budgets set by JFAC must be approved by both the House and Senate.