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JFAC approves smaller substitute for ag research budget after debate over viticulture position and café repairs
Summary
After debate over a viticulture researcher post and café building maintenance, JFAC approved a substitute motion reducing the original request; the panel approved $250,100 ongoing and 0.43 FTE instead of the original $408,000 and 1.43 FTE.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee narrowly approved a substitute funding request Tuesday for the University of Idaho’s Agricultural Research and Extension Service, reducing an original package that included a viticulture faculty position.
Representative Miller moved the original request, which sought $408,000 from the General Fund and 1.43 full‑time equivalent positions for fiscal year 2026, including funding the viticulture faculty researcher and café building costs. During floor debate Miller said the viticulture position would support grapes and small fruit growers, with local wine industry and small‑fruit production cited as beneficiaries. Opponents expressed concern that state government should not subsidize private enterprise research.
Representative Sandra Carlson offered a substitute motion to fund $250,100 ongoing and 0.43 FTE for café building maintenance and a smaller personnel adjustment. After debate and a roll call, the substitute passed. Committee tally: Senate votes 8 ayes, 2 nays; House votes 7 ayes, 3 nays; total 15 ayes, 5 nays. The committee will send the recommended language forward with a due‑pass recommendation.
Senator Ward Engelking and others noted the land‑grant mission of the University of Idaho and urged support for research that benefits table‑grape, berry and huckleberry producers. Representative Miller said the viticulture role would support local soils and production practices including wine and table‑grape production. Representative Price asked how the program would become self‑sustaining; committee members said the centers and university are pursuing local fundraising and other revenue sources and that the committee made clear this funding was not intended to be ongoing support beyond the base adopted here.
The committee also accepted the specific budget language presented on the screen by unanimous consent, and asked the extension service to provide the business plan showing steps to sustainability.
