Idaho Budget Committee Votes Down National Guard Tuition Assistance

Republicans reject $190,800 request to restore funding for program that helps recruit and retain Guard members

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Idaho Legislature's powerful budget committee, JFAC, voted down a proposal to restore $190,800 in funding for the Idaho State Education Assistance program, which provides up to $8,000 per year in tuition benefits for Idaho National Guard members. The Idaho Military Division had requested the funding, but 11 Republican JFAC members voted against it while only 7 supported it.

Why it matters

The tuition assistance program is an important recruitment and retention tool for the Idaho National Guard, according to the state's adjutant general. Cutting the funding could make it harder for the Guard to attract and keep members, potentially impacting the state's military readiness.

The details

The Idaho Military Division had requested the $190,800 in funding to restore cuts made by JFAC on Feb. 13. The tuition assistance program helps Guard members pay for higher education at Idaho institutions. Republicans on JFAC cited concerns about the budget process and where the additional funding would come from, while Democrats supported restoring the cuts.

  • On Jan. 29, Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan told JFAC the tuition assistance is an important benefit that helps recruit and retain Guard members.
  • On Feb. 13, JFAC voted to approve 5% budget cuts for most state agencies, including the cuts to the tuition assistance program.
  • On Feb. 21, JFAC voted 11-7 to reject the $190,800 request to restore the tuition assistance funding.

The players

Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan

Adjutant general and commander of the Idaho National Guard.

Sen. Scott Grow

Republican member of JFAC who voted against restoring the tuition assistance funding.

Sen. Melissa Wintrow

Senate Minority Leader and Democratic member of JFAC who supported restoring the tuition assistance funding.

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What they’re saying

“We had to reduce that amount that we are offering to our soldiers and airmen who enlist. That's a very critical function, by statute, that we offer that for our new enlistees. Many of our enlistees join the National Guard (because) one, they want to stay in Idaho but two, because Idaho offers this state education assistance. So we've had to reduce that fund. I am concerned if we were to reduce it further that we would break faith with our soldiers and airmen who have enlisted.”

— Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan, Adjutant general and commander of the Idaho National Guard (Idaho Capital Sun)

“I'd just like to provide the perspective that what we are voting here today is $190,000 to support the education of those who have taken an oath to give their lives for ours.”

— Sen. Jim Woodward, Republican member of JFAC (Idaho Capital Sun)

“The reality is with this if we support this motion there is no guarantee that it comes back because it is at the discretion of the chairs, so I want to vote on this.”

— Rep. James Petzke, Republican member of JFAC (Idaho Capital Sun)

What’s next

The request for tuition assistance funding is not technically dead and could be brought back to JFAC before the 2026 legislative session adjourns, but there is no guarantee it will be reconsidered.

The takeaway

The decision by Republican members of Idaho's budget committee to reject restoring funding for National Guard tuition assistance highlights the difficult budget tradeoffs lawmakers face, as well as the potential impact on military recruitment and retention in the state.