Idaho Legislature Approves Spending Cuts, Targets Higher Education

JFAC committee endorses $46.3 million in cuts, with higher ed potentially bearing the brunt

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Idaho Legislature's budget committee, JFAC, has approved $46.3 million in additional spending cuts for the next two fiscal years. While K-12 education, Medicaid, prisons, and state police budgets are largely shielded from the cuts, higher education institutions could face a disproportionate share of the reductions. The proposed cuts come on top of a 3% midyear cut ordered by Governor Brad Little in 2025.

Why it matters

The cuts to higher education budgets could have significant impacts on Idaho's public colleges and universities, potentially leading to program reductions, faculty and staff layoffs, and tuition increases. This comes at a time when many states are already struggling to maintain funding for public higher education, raising concerns about access and affordability for students.

The details

JFAC's proposals would cut $15.3 million from the current 2025-26 fiscal year budget and an additional $31 million, or 2%, from the 2026-27 budget. While several large budget areas like K-12 education are exempt from the cuts, higher education could see nearly 30% of the total reductions, despite receiving only 8% of the state's general fund. Some lawmakers argued the across-the-board approach was too blunt, while others said the state had tied its own hands by approving significant tax cuts in 2025.

  • The current 2025-26 fiscal year budget will be cut by $15.3 million.
  • An additional $31 million, or 2%, will be cut from the 2026-27 fiscal year budget.

The players

JFAC

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the Legislature's budget committee that approved the spending cuts.

Governor Brad Little

The Republican governor of Idaho who previously ordered 3% midyear cuts to higher education budgets.

Rep. Josh Tanner

The Republican co-chair of JFAC's House committee.

Sen. C. Scott Grow

The Republican co-chair of JFAC's Senate committee.

Sen. Kevin Cook

The Republican senator who argued against the across-the-board approach to budget cuts.

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What they’re saying

“We're trying to be very measured here. It's a slight tweak to what the governor has already done.”

— Sen. C. Scott Grow, JFAC Senate co-chair (localnews8.com)

“Months ago, this committee knew that we had a revenue shortfall. We're about to lay aside everything we have done. … It is taking a chainsaw to the budget.”

— Sen. Kevin Cook, Republican senator (localnews8.com)

“I just wish we would have made those hard decisions last year.”

— Sen. Melissa Wintrow, Democratic senator (localnews8.com)

What’s next

JFAC will now work on 'enhancement' budget bills that could add money back into agency budgets or make additional cuts. The Legislature is also expected to consider a bill to immediately conform Idaho's tax code to the federal changes in President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', which could further impact state revenues.

The takeaway

The proposed budget cuts to higher education in Idaho highlight the difficult fiscal decisions facing state lawmakers as they balance the need for tax relief with maintaining funding for critical public services. The potential impact on the state's colleges and universities raises concerns about the long-term effects on access and affordability for students.