<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:14pt;color:#000000;"><br><h3>March 07, 2011</h3>
<h1>Lawmakers 4% increase for Idaho prisons budget</h1>
<h2 id="byLine">
- The Associated Press</h2>
State lawmakers have approved a 4.1 percent increase
in funding for the Department of Correction, listing public safety among
their top priorities as they work to balance Idaho's cash-strapped
budget for next year.<p>The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee
approved a $175.6 million budget Monday for the corrections department.
That's a $6.8 million increase compared to this year.</p><p>Rep. Darrell
Bolz, R-Caldwell, says the budget is "a little over target" as
lawmakers work to fill an estimated $92 million shortfall in Idaho's
budget for the next fiscal year. But Bolz cited strides the state has
made so far in reducing its prison population and says the state still
has a long ways to go.</p>The budget still needs House and Senate approval.<br></div><br>
</body></html>