BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's Democratic legislative leaders are criticizing Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's proposed budget plan unveiled Monday, arguing that a 7.9 percent increase in education funding proposed by the Republican governor is insufficient to meet the needs of the 2016 economy.

Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, and House Minority Assistant Leader Mat Erpelding, D-Boise, also vowed that they would introduce legislation to raise minimum wage and to introduce a proposal for Medicaid expansion in the 2016 session.

The governor's alternative to Medicaid expansion, announced last week, would provide coverage for basic preventive care, but would omit hospital care, expensive prescriptions and most mental health coverage. Erpelding said the governor's state-based solution to Medicaid expansion "comes at triple the price" to taxpayers.

 

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