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Contact: Office of the President - 208/792-2216

Governor Mandates 2% Budget Holdback; President Thomas Responds

On Tuesday, Lewis-Clark State College President, Dene Thomas was notified of a permanent 2% budget holdback affecting all Idaho State agencies. The holdback is a result of flagging revenues at the state level.

In her initial response, Thomas said the college would look to absorb part of the holdback using one-time monies. "We will also review our fixed costs, evaluate our revenue, and develop a plan for the balance of the holdback in consultation with campus groups." Asked whether the holdback will hurt LCSC programs, she said, "We will do what we can from institutional sources to cushion the impact to our educational programs." The governor's mandate did not include a hiring freeze.

Many LCSC programs recently completed planning for the upcoming budget year, after accommodating an earlier 6% state-mandated temporary holdback. On just how the college will deal with the latest cut, Thomas said it's really too early to say. "Administrators, faculty and staff have collaborated on how to pare an already lean operation, and we'll be back at the table again, working together again on the same topic."

Thomas found a bright spot, saying, "We're fortunate that, if this cut has to come, it comes early enough in the year for us to reevaluate some of this year's plans, and to incorporate the reduction into our strategic planning process for FY 2003."