Betsy Russell reports the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has set a budget for Idaho Fish & Game for next year that appears to show a 20.5 percent increase in total funds, but that’s largely because of a $13 million federal grant to construct the Springfield Fish Hatchery. Aside from that, it’s closer to a 4.3 percent increase; Fish & Game gets no state general funds, operating instead solely with hunting and fishing license and tag fees, other receipts and federal funds. The budget plan, following Gov. Butch Otter’s proposal, includes a $100,000 increase in wolf control funds, but doesn’t include the department’s requests for $300,000 to improve sport fishing access next year or $642,400 to boost regional fisheries programs. The proposal, from Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, passed in the joint committee on a 16-3 vote.