Idaho
Idaho Legislature begins 2026 session with budget deficit focus
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Idaho lawmakers completed their first week of the 2026 legislative session, with budget concerns dominating discussions at the statehouse.
Gov. Brad Little kicked off the session Monday with his State of the State address, outlining his priorities for the year. “We must commit ourselves to preserving our state as the place where opportunity thrives,” Little said.
The state faces a looming budget deficit, prompting difficult decisions about spending priorities. Little said he wants to preserve funding for K-12 education, Idaho Launch and water programs.
Proposed cuts target Medicaid, online education
The governor’s proposed cuts include Medicaid, online education and one-time reductions to certain state agency programs.
Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke explained the budget process ahead. “That process starts so the legislature in effect is saying thank you governor for your recommendations we got this,” Bedke said. “They will go back and forth. They are under the same constraint as the governor. We have to balance the budget in Idaho. Period.”
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee sets the state’s budget. During their Tuesday meeting, Finance Director Lori Wolff addressed the state’s financial position.
“This is a balanced budget. It reflects early action, disciplined spending decisions, and confidence in Idaho’s economic future,” Wolff said.
Legislative priorities emerge beyond budget
Bedke compared the current situation to past recessions, though he noted the state is not currently in a recession. He said lawmakers must ask tough questions about state spending.
“We went through everything the state did and we put them into categories. Is this nice or is this necessary,” Bedke said. “If it was necessary we kept it if it was just nice we didn’t keep it. If it was somewhere in the middle then we tried to prioritize what we would do.”
JFAC will continue hearing from departments and programs until they are ready to set the budget, which must be balanced and approved before the legislative session can end.
“When we get out of whack the balanced budget amendment kicks in immediately and so we never get too far our of water here,” Bedke said. “In fact it’s unconstitutional to get under water. Now we bump up against that line sometimes and I think you’re seeing that now.”
As lawmakers focus on the budget, other committees began working on their legislative priorities. Magic Valley lawmakers have proposed bills on issues including reckless driving and wearing masks during a crime.
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On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched major strikes in Tehran, with President Trump calling for an Iranian regime change.
RELATED | Trump announces ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, reportedly killing hundreds
President Trump authorized the U.S military operation without congressional approval, a decision that Democrats in Congress are arguing is unconstitutional.
RELATED | Trump’s Iran attack raises legal concerns among Democrats in Congress
Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea says Democrats are “demanding answers and accountability on behalf of the American people, who are being dragged toward another open-ended war they do not support.”
Necochea says her greatest concern lies with American troops, contractors and civilians who she says “did not choose this conflict.”
“Idaho has thousands of active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and military families who live with the consequences when leaders make reckless choices,” she says.
However, not all lawmakers share Necochea’s sentiments.
Idaho Republican representative Mike Simpson commends President Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran.
Idaho News 6
“Iran was given every opportunity to resolve this peacefully through negotiations but chose not to,” Simpson said in a post to Facebook. “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action against a regime responsible for decades of terror. May God protect our men and women in uniform on this vital mission.”
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Nearly two-thirds of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion, but local leaders say that coverage is now at risk.
According to the organizers of a town hall set for Saturday, February 28, proposed changes could severely impact Idaho’s rural hospitals and leave thousands of residents without access to healthcare.
The town hall, titled “Protecting What Works: Medicaid Expansion in Idaho,” will take place at Chubbuck City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
A panel of representatives from across the healthcare sector — including home health, hospitals, and public and community health — will answer questions about how Medicaid expansion works in Idaho and how potential cuts could affect communities. Organizers say there will also be time for audience questions.
One of the event organizers told Local News 8 why the discussion is important:
“There have been conversations in the last couple of legislative sessions about either fully repealing Medicaid expansion or making significant cuts to Medicaid,” Shantay Boxham, the organizer, said. “This is an educational forum to ensure voters and community members have the information they need about what the program is, what’s at stake, and how it supports Idaho and Idahoans.”
There are limited seats available for the meeting. To reserve a spot, visit members.pocatello.com.
Local News 8 will continue to follow this story and have updates tomorrow.
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