Revised Budget for Idaho Art Commission Passes House

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho artists, take heart. A bill funding Idaho's art commission has passed the House after previously failing in a surprise protest vote earlier this month.

House members approved the new budget on Thursday. The measure then passed the Senate and is headed to Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter's desk. Republican Rep. Wendy Horman, of Idaho Falls, says the new budget is the same as the original, but it includes nearly $250 collected as a donation to the commission.

A portion of House Democrats initially voted against the original budget to demonstrate the majority party takes their vote for granted. Democrats argued more liberal-leading legislation has been continually blocked by Republican leadership. State budget writers allocated a 2.6 percent budget increase for the arts commission for fiscal year 2017.