Good government starts with living within our means. Idaho, unlike neighboring states and the federal government, doesn’t spend money it doesn’t have. We don’t raise taxes when budgets get tight. We right size spending to match the taxpayers’ means.

Fiscal Responsibility

When the ENDURING IDAHO budget plan was rolled out earlier this year, we made a deliberate choice to keep Idaho on a strong financial footing. We asked state agencies to prioritize their spending, operate more efficiently, and stay focused on the services Idaho families value most.

Now, Idaho is proud to have closed Fiscal Year 2026 in a stronger financial position than projected. General Fund revenues came in above both the executive and legislative branches’ forecasts. We did it while preserving our investments in the priorities that will ensure our long-term success: public schools, transportation, water infrastructure, public safety, workforce development, and rural health care.

Looking Ahead

Going forward, our approach will remain exactly the same. We will continue to budget conservatively. We will continue to distinguish between one-time cash and ongoing revenue. We will continue to make decisions based on long-term sustainability, and we will continue to hold the line on spending more than we have.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.