Idaho Governor Distances Himself from Budget Cuts

Little says budget-setting is Legislature's responsibility, raises concerns over impact

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Idaho Gov. Brad Little expressed concerns over new legislative budget cuts that could hurt the state's ability to fight wildfires and jeopardize mental health and treatment courts, but distanced himself from the budget-setting process, saying it is the Legislature's responsibility under the state constitution.

Why it matters

The budget cuts proposed by the Idaho Legislature's budget committee could have significant impacts on public services and safety in the state, but the governor's role in the budget process is limited, raising questions about accountability and oversight.

The details

The Idaho Legislature's budget committee approved permanent new 5% across-the-board budget cuts for most state agencies beginning in fiscal year 2027. Little does not support these additional cuts, which would be on top of 3% cuts he approved last summer. The governor says the permanent new cuts are not necessary because he submitted a plan to balance the budget using one-time cuts and funding transfers. However, the governor has limited options to intervene, including the possibility of vetoing budget bills, calling a special legislative session, or generating public awareness about the impacts of the cuts.

  • The Idaho Legislature's budget committee approved the new 5% cuts on Friday.
  • The fiscal year 2027 maintenance of operations budgets will next go to the full Idaho House and Senate for consideration.
  • If the budgets pass the legislature, they will go to the governor's desk for final consideration.

The players

Brad Little

The governor of Idaho, who expressed concerns over the budget cuts but distanced himself from the budget-setting process, saying it is the Legislature's responsibility under the state constitution.

Idaho Legislature

The state's legislative body, which is responsible for setting the state budget each year and is required by the Idaho Constitution to set a balanced budget.

Lori Wolff

Little's budget chief, who has been publicly sounding alarms about the permanent new 5% across-the-board budget cuts.

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What they’re saying

“I laid out my priorities (in the State of the State address), I shipped them to the legislative body under the Constitution, (and) they're all in their court now.”

— Brad Little, Governor of Idaho (eastidahonews.com)

“It would be nicer if I had better line item (veto) authority because some of the things that I am not delighted about are embedded in other things that we absolutely have to have.”

— Brad Little, Governor of Idaho (eastidahonews.com)

What’s next

The fiscal year 2027 maintenance of operations budgets will next go to the full Idaho House and Senate for consideration. If the budgets pass the legislature, they will go to the governor's desk for final consideration, where he may sign them into law, veto them, or allow them to become law without his signature.

The takeaway

The budget standoff between the governor and legislature highlights the complex dynamics of the state budget process in Idaho, where the governor has limited options to intervene despite concerns over the impacts of the proposed cuts. The public will be watching to see how the legislature and governor resolve this issue and its implications for public services and safety in the state.