Idaho Governor Brad Little delivered his seventh State of the State and Budget Address in the Idaho Statehouse yesterday (Mon), outlining his key priorities for the 2025 legislative session in his KEEPING PROMISES plan.
Highlights from the governor’s address included a continued focus on education funding. The plan proposes over $150 million in new public school funding and $50 million for the Legislature to expand school choice.
The governor is also proposing another $100 million in tax cuts for Idahoans. The proposed cuts follow a string of tax cuts that have amounted to $4.6 billion in tax relief.
Little is also targeting infrastructure including roads, bridges, water, broadband, outdoor recreation and other infrastructure – without raising taxes or fees.
The governor’s plan would also commit $30 million to water infrastructure projects proven to increase water levels in the Snake River Plain Aquifer and protect Idaho agriculture. And to keep up Idaho’s defenses against wildfires that threaten communities and natural resources, Governor Little is also proposing over $100 million for fire, including bonuses to retain firefighters as well as proactively and responsibly funding the state’s fire suppression account.
