The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved cuts over and above the 4 percent holdbacks ordered by Gov. Butch Otter in the current budget year.

Otter had also ordered cuts to one-time funds.

Legislative budget staff worked with the Division of Financial Management and state agencies to identify and pull back money intended for special one-time uses.

JFAC’s actions include moving $26 million in dedicated one-time funds to the general fund and another $12 million reduction in one-time fiscal year 2009 original general fund appropriations.

“We don’t have the luxury of having anyone sit on money they could use that they could perhaps do without,” said JFAC Co-Chair Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome. “I don’t know any other way to do what we need to do this year.”

Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Russ Fulcher of Meridian said the Senate’s republican caucus is looking to use the cuts to help “soften the blow” to education in the next fiscal year.

“Is there a way to get out of the session holding the education budget harmless,” Fulcher said. “I just don’t see it.”

Included in the cuts:

• $1.8 million appropriated in 2008 for to renovate a building at State Hospital South.
• $5 million appropriated in 2009 for an expansion at the Historical Society Museum.
• $12 million from the Aquifer Planning and Management Fund, originally appropriated in 2009.
• $2.2 million from the consumer protection fund from the Office of Attorney General.
• $2.3 million from various education funds.
• $1.5 million from health and human services.
• $2 million from public safety.
• $2.8 million from natural resources.
• $2.4 million from economic development.
• $1.2 million from general government, like the Commission on the Aging and Secretary of State.

"I'm fearful this won't be the last time I'm asking you to make cuts, even to the 2009 budget," said JFAC Co-Chair Sen. Dean Cameron,R-Rupert. "We're waiting on January figures."