Idaho Lawmakers Defend New Budget Cuts to State Services

Budget committee chairs say cuts are necessary to match ongoing revenue and expenses

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The co-chairs of the Idaho Legislature's budget committee, Sen. Scott Grow and Rep. Josh Tanner, are defending new across-the-board cuts to state agency budgets that were approved last week. The cuts, which are on top of 3% cuts ordered by the governor last summer, are being made in response to uncertainty over the cost of conforming to federal tax cuts and concerns about state revenues matching ongoing expenses.

Why it matters

The budget cuts have raised concerns that they could do long-term, structural damage to core state services and programs. There is growing division within the legislature, with the governor and Democrats opposing the additional cuts and proposing alternative approaches like using rainy day funds.

The details

JFAC, the legislative budget committee, approved cuts of 1% and 2% for most state agencies, on top of the 3% cuts ordered by the governor last summer. The co-chairs say the cuts are necessary to match ongoing revenue and expenses, citing the state's constitutional prohibition on spending more than it collects. However, budget data shows state spending has remained flat when adjusted for inflation and population growth.

  • The 2026 legislative session began on January 12, 2026.
  • On February 6, 2026, JFAC passed the fiscal year 2026 Budget Rescission Act, which included 4% cuts for most state agencies.
  • On February 13, 2026, JFAC approved budget cuts totaling 4% for most state agencies in fiscal year 2026 and 5% in fiscal year 2027.

The players

Sen. Scott Grow

Co-chair of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Josh Tanner

Co-chair of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

Gov. Brad Little

The governor of Idaho who ordered 3% cuts to state agencies last summer.

Lori Wolff

Idaho's budget chief, who has warned against cutting too deeply and too soon.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to have ongoing revenue match ongoing expenses. When you start dealing with one-time (fixes and transfers), then we put ourselves in jeopardy.”

— Sen. Scott Grow, Co-chair of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (dailyfly.com)

“Bringing government under control is some of the hardest jobs to do.”

— Rep. Josh Tanner, Co-chair of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 cuts approved by JFAC will next go to the full Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate for a vote. Once passed by the legislature, the budget bills will go to the governor's desk for final consideration.

The takeaway

The budget debate in Idaho highlights the ongoing tension between fiscal conservatives who want to limit government spending and those who are concerned about the potential long-term damage to essential state services. As the legislature and governor work to balance the budget, they will need to find a way to address the state's revenue challenges without compromising the core functions of government.