[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358612,"mediaKeyId","2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae","parentId",2212106,"title","Commerce highlights broadband investments, BEAD timeline and workforce priorities","audioSeconds",1049,"startMs",3614000,"endMs",4663000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae&start=3614&end=4663","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae/thumbnail_3614000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358612/Idaho/Commerce-highlights-broadband-investments-BEAD-timeline-and-workforce-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358612-d0e0767f41e2cbce19dda9322a4dff30/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657962&Signature=XDdqWoUHTxM~RW9~HCL4mJxUClxxZ7~-SSWsQ5hQJGs0oS4JQWFLH6gDweRktLMozdoi5DGxxuo7~zck5c7R~zaKqlxt6quBUb5f3RnlD5TEIDwHU5IEL~rD18C-MNSfF0DB7~AB-wNie8zSXkiNhTQyZXNMA9eMKuyrE-9ewv1k0cTN2avViOST52eOpleL5EfX~1URyCt1XH4MuGG8KkikZu9wP120InV0nQWBZxgzAKURBDRCOmKEC9Xbb5rJW76nuObNEAVki3v7p6Bx01bjRjC7n2KQXVXx~KysPhqRTCaQZ~uWVC6ouXODwOKHgYadGXWbGT3TzpKNtQrSHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Joint Legislative","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Brooke Dupree of the Legislative Services Office reviewed the Department of Commerce’s FY 2026 budget materials and the departmental reorganization that created a standalone broadband office. Director Tom Keeley and members of his leadership team described how state and federal broadband dollars are being deployed alongside Commerce priorities for workforce, housing and industry recruitment.

Ramon Sanchez, the Commerce broadband manager (identified in the hearing as Ramon Jabe Sanchez), walked the committee through the state broadband fund and the federal timelines. “26 and a half million of that is already obligated, so there's about 8.5, 8.7 remaining,” he said of the $35 million Idaho Broadband Fund. He added that the $120 million capital projects fund is contracted across 18 projects to connect roughly 35,000 homes and businesses, and that the BEAD program (referred to by its federal acronym) is a roughly $580 million federal program for which Idaho is completing prequalification and will open funding applications later this calendar year.

Why it matters: the Commerce briefing covers large, multi‑year broadband investments that could materially expand high‑speed internet to unserved and underserved Idaho households and businesses while the department also addresses workforce and community infrastructure challenges that affect economic growth.

Key points

- Broadband funds and status: The state created an Idaho Broadband Fund of $35 million (general fund transfer); approximately $26.5 million is already obligated. The federal capital projects funding (ARPA) of about $120 million is under contract for statewide projects expected to reach tens of thousands of locations. The BEAD program—about $580 million nationally as implemented in Idaho—was described as in prequalification; Commerce expects to open funding applications for eligible projects later in the calendar year and to submit its federal package thereafter.

- Office structure and staffing: Commerce reports about 48 FTP across its commerce and broadband programs (42 FTP for commerce, 6 FTP for the broadband office after the recent reorganization), with recent increases in FTP tied to managing federal broadband grants. The department noted roughly 81% average staff fill rates.

- Partnerships with private providers and local jurisdictions: Sanchez emphasized collaboration with internet service providers and local governments. Idaho’s approach to BEAD planning included using some planning funds to grant local jurisdictions for project planning—the state said it is the only state using planning funds for local planning grants, which the office used to support 15 local planning efforts.

- Workforce, housing and other business needs: Director Keeley linked broadband work to broader Commerce priorities—workforce development, childcare, housing and energy—citing partnerships with workforce development councils, local economic organizations, and the state’s tech and energy initiatives.

Questions from the committee

- Technology choices and futureproofing: Committee members asked whether satellite (low‑earth orbit) services such as Starlink would make fiber builds obsolete in some locations. Sanchez said federal guidance prioritizes fiber and licensed fixed wireless but allows alternative technologies where appropriate; he said fiber remains the most reliable medium but low‑earth orbit satellites may be a component for very remote locations.

- Timeline and execution risk: Commerce said it is roughly two years into BEAD planning work. The office expects to open the funding application phase this year, evaluate proposals through the summer, and submit a final federal package before federal review. The office said BEAD funds could begin moving approximately a year from application submission, subject to federal approval.

Ending

The committee received the Commerce presentation and asked for clarifications on timelines and partnerships. No formal appropriation votes were taken during this hearing; Commerce’s requests and federal program timing will continue through the appropriation and federal review processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee Meeting January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Department of Commerce presented its FY 2026 request and described state and federal broadband funding—including a $35 million state broadband fund, about $120 million in ARPA capital projects and the $580 million BEAD program—while the department emphasized workforce, housing and childcare as barriers to business growth.","taxTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, JOINT, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",28593,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358614,"PERSI briefed JFAC on fund health, pension system upgrade and a 1.3% recommended COLA",1367,1804000,3171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae&start=1804&end=3171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae/thumbnail_1804000.jpg","/articles/6358614/Idaho/PERSI-briefed-JFAC-on-fund-health-pension-system-upgrade-and-a-13-recommended-COLA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358614-3823f4fd60018f8c2e44cd74ffb36b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657962&Signature=j1Lm4WEqFd64-nhuMzeRvYxTT7opqnng4SF-jRUQJ1T5x8i65rhtMuEBTo330EO68cWXLVmhVltND8ZlItBEfkFIvDhcL5ADpnaOGSlPWzQvnUrRqeVvBaVHWrcRBRgZzQj48cF0QObbG13E4zIaCSnEpgwYb-VRD4nfTEA1Or10YDvDnVcAkhsJwXgWw~fImv0IgfbPsJaguK~4gqSMCxxr208tzzhqHSWFsBre0oEyZkPaoycaQ3~lj9UMwL3n7XA-nTc-orFYOrxyVdD2zwJt32t5d6fbZc8MfWNGfwh~3JQ4JByWw7JizYnKSt3mvDFgiYb5YHNWFfYbHz2~1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frances Lippitt, a Legislative Services Office budget and policy analyst, presented an overview of the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho’s (PERSI) FY 2026 budget and funding structure, including the agency’s two programs (retirement administration and portfolio investment), staffing and the multi‑year pension software upgrade.

Mike Hampton, director of PERSI, joined Lippitt and the board’s trustees to answer committee questions about funded status, the pension software project and the board’s cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) recommendation. “In the last year we had our second year of recovery…we had about a 9% return,” Hampton told the committee. He also told JFAC the fund “ended the fund year a little over $22,000,000,000” and that PERSI serves about 185,000 members.

Why it matters: PERSI manages retirement benefits for a broad set of Idaho public employees; its funded status, return assumptions and software infrastructure affect both benefit administration and long‑term contribution requirements.

Key points from the briefing

- Fund size and health: PERSI reported roughly $22 billion in assets and said the funded ratio at the end of the last fiscal year was about 87%. The director described 9% investment returns during the most recent year of recovery following the 2022 market correction.

- Membership and operations: PERSI serves approximately 185,000 members across about 870 public employers in the state and currently authorizes 81 full‑time staff across offices in Boise, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene. The retirement administration program accounts for most administrative staff; the portfolio investment program is smaller and handles asset management functions.

- Pension software upgrade: The agency previously received one‑time appropriations to begin a pension software modernization; the upgrade is a multi‑year project. Lippitt said a $3 million annual appropriation represents year‑over‑year funding for the five‑year project (a total of about $12 million). The director said maintenance costs are already budgeted and are expected to be comparable after the upgrade.

- COLA process: PERSI staff explained that the statutory mechanism for the post‑retirement allowance adjustment (COLA) contains an automatic 1% adjustment tied to CPI‑U thresholds and that the board recommended an additional 0.3% retroactive payment that would bring the recommended increase to 1.3% for the year if the legislature approves the board’s recommendation.

Lawmakers’ questions and clarifications

- Ongoing vs. one‑time costs: Representative Furness asked whether an inflationary general adjustment in the agency request was ongoing; the director clarified that the governor did not recommend that particular item as ongoing in the executive recommendation.

- Administrative versus investment costs: Representative Manmureng asked whether investment management fees are included in the administrative appropriation; the director said investment management fees are paid from continuously appropriated funds and do not flow through the annual appropriation.

- Levers to maintain funded ratio: Senators and representatives discussed the statutory levers for fund sustainability. The director explained the board can adjust contribution rates and highlighted the current amortization period of about 10.7 years, noting the board considers long‑term sustainability when recommending COLAs.

What was decided and next steps

- The committee asked questions but did not vote on PERSI items during the hearing. The agency’s requests — including year‑four funding for the pension software and recommended enhancements — remain subject to the ongoing budget process.

Ending

PERSI emphasized its high relative funded level compared with many U.S. public pension plans and said it will continue to provide details on software upgrade costs and maintenance as the committee reviews appropriation requests.","The Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee the fund returned about 9% in the last year, ends the fiscal year with roughly $22 billion in assets and is about 87% funded; the agency requested continued spending for a multi‑year pension software upgrade and smaller ongoing enhancements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358617,"Idaho Liquor Division outlines staffing, IT and accessibility requests in budget briefing",1717,89000,1806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae&start=89&end=1806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212106-686eff24949a75e0f82b40284f1521ae/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6358617/Idaho/Idaho-Liquor-Division-outlines-staffing-IT-and-accessibility-requests-in-budget-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358617-041afe1713809784f7cdcf25db24d002/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657962&Signature=Hs9A6rqreJbFzVSmXNLNQcUs3fuj2PRPpCczmtBGwwmvpYLyXo8y5NXJuYaTgJHcUHSSOsh7MpqBBpBiSQRfkeVQbNoasTarNuI3tRhoEIHJD3Cdm9mqzejUNhxDHrEnll6koK0ZAHSAAgyN7Yb1o0urm0XdS8a9swA--KcG3JGdH6p5wAPNfoQ~KVQcIYy~DmMFZ4HV5O36cFFgTgTu83F-JQH-XZRpYIMAGCqfpjbhK9IafGYaCtAVq-GqpifXo4-S5MUSzT-iA-pbzCIsrhrt~vdp27JbHfY7UE-O8Zyj2RSBrfVQUBIxXsc3vAFoKmpGLs5RYgoVt5oxoRY3ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, opened the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee briefing on the Idaho State Liquor Division’s FY 2026 budget and dedicated funds, describing the agency’s statutory charter and its revenue distributions to courts, cities, counties and the general fund.

The Liquor Division’s director, Andrew Arulanandam, and members of his leadership team answered committee questions on staffing, store openings, IT modernization and a requested website accessibility upgrade. “My name is Andrew Arulanandam…please call me Andrew,” Arulanandam said when introduced. He later described the agency as “a revenue generating agency” and framed the division’s staff as state ambassadors serving Idahoans.

Why it matters: the Liquor Division operates a network of state retail stores and contract outlets that generate revenue distributed by statute. Lawmakers focused on how the agency’s staffing and IT choices affect operations, public access and the state’s risk exposure to litigation and cyberthreats.

Key details from the presentation

- Staffing and turnover: The division has an FTP cap of 257.25 positions, concentrated in retail operations (about 210 full‑time retail positions). The agency uses roughly 185 part‑time store clerks (not counted in FTP) and works with about 106 contract liquor stores. The division reported a filled FTP rate near 93% and said it spends about 96% of its appropriated personnel costs on payroll. The agency told the committee it previously experienced turnover as high as about 140% for temporary clerks and has reduced that to roughly 84% after prior pay increases and position conversions.

- Temporary clerks and pay: The agency requested ongoing dedicated funds to increase temporary retail staff pay from $15.00 per hour to $15.45 per hour if approved. Tony Grama, introduced in the hearing as chief deputy and CFO of the Liquor Division, said, “our temporary, store clerks are state employees. We don't hire them through an agency,” and explained that temporary clerks are not eligible for automatic CEC adjustments; pay increases require a line‑item enhancement.

- Financials and fund balances: The presentation showed the division’s free fund balance fell from roughly $38 million in FY 2022 to about $14 million in FY 2024. The agency reported total reported sales and noted it splits available distributions after operating needs; slide references were given for the committee packet. The division said it consistently expends more than 90% of its appropriation and attributed some unused appropriation to a liquor store that has not yet opened and to retail staffing turnover.

- Capital, IT and security requests: The Liquor Division requested a mix of ongoing and one‑time appropriations including: funding to cover additional temp pay (ongoing); a one‑time IT appropriations package for network modernization (firewalls, managed switches and cellular routers) and site security; a requested website upgrade to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and reduce ADA litigation risk; and one‑time replacement items for retail store improvements (shelving, lighting, flooring, signage) and motorized warehouse equipment.

Lawmakers pressed the agency on specifics

- ADA website cost: Senator Cook asked whether the requested $100,000 for the accessibility upgrade was necessary to fix a specific problem on the site, saying, “is it really going to cost a hundred grand to fix a menu…or am I missing something?” Arulanandam replied that the division had consulted an accessibility expert and received a list of items needed to reach compliance and that attorneys nationwide pursue ADA cases based on website shortcomings.

- Sufficiency of the proposed pay increase: Senator Ward Engelking asked whether the $0.45 raise would meaningfully reduce turnover; the director said the division has taken an incremental approach after prior raises and that pay remains lower than many private sector employers. The director and Grama warned that pay alone may not fully resolve turnover and described the rationale for converting some temporary hours to full‑time positions in prior sessions.

- Contract stores and rural coverage: Senator Carlson asked how liquor sales are handled in rural areas where no state store exists. Arulanandam explained the division supplies product to contract stores and that those private operators manage their employees and labor under contract language.

What the presentation left unspecified

- Exact statutory distribution totals cited during the briefing were presented in slides and the LBB packet but some spoken dollar figures in the transcript were garbled; the committee packet was cited for the detailed dollar breakdowns for FY 2024 distributions and sales.

Ending

The committee did not take a vote during the presentation. The Liquor Division staff stood for questions and said they would be available for follow‑up on appropriation details and the requested IT and accessibility items.","The Idaho State Liquor Division told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it needs continued staff pay increases, IT and store capital to address turnover, aging infrastructure and cybersecurity; lawmakers pressed the agency on website ADA compliance and use of temporary store clerks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commerce highlights broadband investments, BEAD timeline and workforce priorities

PERSI briefed JFAC on fund health, pension system upgrade and a 1.3% recommended COLA

Idaho Liquor Division outlines staffing, IT and accessibility requests in budget briefing