Idaho Attorney General Asks Legislature to Restore Budget Cuts

Labrador says cuts would lead to massive furloughs or layoffs that would devastate the office

Feb. 26, 2026 at 6:55pm

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Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has asked the state legislature's budget committee to restore nearly $1 million in funding cuts that he says would lead to massive furloughs or layoffs, devastating the attorney general's office. Labrador told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the new budget cuts would reduce funding for his office by $1.6 million next year and ongoing, with 89% of the office's costs being personnel costs, leaving him no choice but to cut salaries through furloughs or layoffs.

Why it matters

The attorney general's office plays a crucial role in the state, handling consumer protection cases, lawsuits, and other legal matters. Labrador argues that his office brings more money into the state than it spends, and that the proposed budget cuts would significantly impact the office's ability to function effectively and retain experienced staff.

The details

Labrador told the budget committee that to absorb this year's $1.2 million cut, all employees will take 11 unpaid furlough days between now and June 30. For fiscal year 2027, he would have to implement 14 furlough days – nearly three full weeks of unpaid time – for 227 employees, which is roughly a 5% pay cut. As an alternative, he would have to eliminate 12 staff positions completely.

  • The budget cuts were approved earlier this month and will reduce funding for the AG's office by $1.6 million next year in fiscal year 2027 and ongoing thereafter.
  • The AG's office budget was also cut by $1.2 million for the current fiscal year 2026 in Senate Bill 1331, the fiscal year 2026 budget rescission act.

The players

Raúl Labrador

The Idaho Attorney General who is asking the legislature to restore nearly $1 million in funding cuts to his office.

Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC)

The legislative budget committee that approved the budget cuts to the attorney general's office.

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What they’re saying

“We can absorb minor reductions, but anything significant means salary reductions through unpaid furlough days for every employee in this office or reducing staff that is increasingly being asked every day to do more and more by this Legislature.”

— Raúl Labrador, Idaho Attorney General

“This would be devastating to our employees, and my office will lose significant staff.”

— Raúl Labrador, Idaho Attorney General

“We are passing something today that has the potential to break the state, and you know that.”

— Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls

What’s next

JFAC members did not take any action Wednesday on Labrador's request to restore cut funding, but any potential funding restorations could come in the form of budget enhancements that would need to be voted on by JFAC.

The takeaway

The proposed budget cuts to the Idaho Attorney General's office highlight the difficult choices state lawmakers face as they balance the budget, with the potential for significant impacts on the office's ability to effectively serve the public and retain experienced staff.