Idaho Lt. Gov. Urges Lawmakers to Protect Education, Infrastructure Amid Budget Cuts

Bedke highlights Idaho Launch scholarships and water infrastructure investments as priorities during Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Idaho's lieutenant governor, Scott Bedke, is urging state lawmakers to protect investments in education and infrastructure as they weigh budget cuts this legislative session. Bedke highlighted the importance of the Idaho Launch scholarship program and recent water infrastructure investments, stressing the need to maintain these priorities despite the projected budget shortfall.

Why it matters

Idaho is facing a significant budget shortfall due to recent tax cuts, leading to calls for across-the-board spending reductions. Bedke's plea to safeguard education and infrastructure reflects the delicate balance the state must strike between fiscal responsibility and preserving key investments that support the state's economic and social well-being.

The details

Bedke told the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce that the Legislature is facing an 'arguably self-inflicted problem' this year, with a projected budget shortfall of $4 billion over the past five years due to income tax cuts. To address this, the state has pursued $131 million in cuts for the current fiscal year and $143 million for fiscal year 2027. However, Bedke underscored the importance of protecting investments in education, which makes up about half of the state's general fund budget, as well as the Idaho Launch scholarship program and recent water infrastructure projects.

  • The current-fiscal year budget cuts need to be approved by both chambers through Senate Bill 1331.
  • The fiscal year 2027 cuts are baked into the maintenance budgets for each agency, which were approved by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on February 13.

The players

Scott Bedke

The lieutenant governor of Idaho, who is urging lawmakers to protect investments in education and infrastructure amid budget cuts.

Brad Little

The governor of Idaho, who last summer directed nearly all state agencies to cut their budgets by 3% for the current fiscal year and beyond.

Mike Moyle

The speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives, who has faced scrutiny over the Idaho Launch scholarship program.

Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC)

The budget-writing committee in the Idaho Legislature that has pursued additional across-the-board cuts.

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What they’re saying

“Education is the single largest investment that we will make every year, approximately half of our general fund budget, and it should be, because it is the single determinant of what Idaho will look like 20 years from now.”

— Scott Bedke, Lieutenant Governor (dailyfly.com)

“There's still a gap between what our economy needs and what the education pipeline is producing. Closing that gap is good for students and good for business, and we want to keep pushing that.”

— Scott Bedke, Lieutenant Governor (dailyfly.com)

“It's not a charity exercise. It's a strategic exercise. You can't appropriate your way out of a depleted water table. You have to manage the resources before the crisis, rather than after.”

— Scott Bedke, Lieutenant Governor (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The current-fiscal year budget cuts to nearly every agency need to be approved by both chambers through Senate Bill 1331, which will be taken up by the Senate and, if passed, later go to the House and the governor for signature or veto.

The takeaway

Bedke's plea to protect education and infrastructure investments highlights the delicate balance Idaho must strike between fiscal responsibility and preserving key programs that support the state's economic and social well-being. As the budget-setting process continues, lawmakers will need to carefully weigh these priorities to ensure Idaho's long-term prosperity.