BOISE-- The Capitol auditorium was overflowing Friday morning with people who came to testify before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the lawmakers who set the state's budget.
People got three minutes to tell senators how they would like the state to spend some of its money.
People testified about funding for a statewide suicide hotline, back-filling teachers' salaries and funding for higher education. But the issue that came up the most was funding for Medicaid.
Noll Garcia was one of the people who testified. He has cerebral palsy. After lawmakers cut funding to Medicaid last session, Garcia says many of his friends lost some of the services they need. He's worried he might be next.
"I am very concerned that my budget will be cut resulting in less staff and to keep me safe in my apartment and in my community," said Garcia.
Many of the people who signed up to testify encouraged lawmakers to restore some of the funding to Medicaid.
Rich Stover used his time to encourage lawmakers to put money aside for a statewide suicide hotline. Stover lost his son to suicide.
"I can't say for certain that if there was a suicide prevention hotline it would have saved Nick's life but I do know it is a step in the right in direction," said Stover.
Lawmakers listened to two-and-a-half hours of emotional testimony. The people who came hope some of what they said will stay with JFAC members as the start to set this year's budget.
"I'm eager to see what happens when they begin to set the budget and how the impact of what they heard today impacts them when they begin to set that budget," said Katherine Hansen, who testified on behalf of Community Partnerships of Idaho.
