Idaho Senate Approves Budget Cuts for Colleges and Universities

Cuts will impact higher education institutions across the state, raising concerns about long-term economic consequences.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 9:01pm

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The Idaho Senate has passed a 5% budget cut to colleges and universities for the next fiscal year, after a debate that questioned whether the state should fund higher education at all. The cuts will force campuses to make significant reductions, including layoffs, mergers, and program closures. While some lawmakers argued that higher education should be funded through tuition and donations, others said the state has a responsibility to provide accessible education.

Why it matters

The budget cuts to Idaho's colleges and universities come at a time when higher education is seen as increasingly crucial for economic success. The reductions could limit access to education and have long-term impacts on the state's workforce and economy.

The details

The fiscal year 2027 'maintenance' budget for the Idaho State Board of Education includes a 5% cut, with 3% proposed by the governor and an additional 2% from legislators. This will force campuses like Idaho State University, Boise State University, and the University of Idaho to make significant cuts and restructuring, including layoffs, merging colleges, and pausing program expansions.

  • The Idaho Senate voted 23-12 to approve the budget cuts on March 20, 2026.
  • The cuts will take effect in the next fiscal year, starting July 1, 2026.

The players

Janie Ward-Engelking

A Democratic state senator and the longest-serving member of the Legislature's budget-writing committee, who argued the cuts will have long-term economic consequences.

Glenneda Zuiderveld

A Republican state senator who supported the higher education cuts, arguing that colleges and universities should be funded by tuition and donations, not the state.

Dave Lent

The Republican chairman of the Senate Education Committee, who countered that the state has a responsibility to provide accessible education in the modern world.

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What they’re saying

“It's going to impact our children and grandchildren for years to come. This ship will not be turned around easily and will have long term economic consequences.”

— Janie Ward-Engelking, State Senator

“For decades now, we actually have been going against our oath of office, according to our Idaho state constitution.”

— Glenneda Zuiderveld, State Senator

“If you want to be successful in today's world, you have to have an education, and I think that's our responsibility.”

— Dave Lent, Chairman, Senate Education Committee

What’s next

The budget bill, HB 876, now goes to the governor's desk for signature.

The takeaway

The debate over funding higher education in Idaho highlights the ongoing tension between those who see it as a state responsibility and those who believe it should be self-funded. The budget cuts could limit access to education and have long-term impacts on the state's workforce and economy.