COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Governor Brad Little outlined his budget priorities during a visit to a Coeur d’Alene library Tuesday afternoon, asking state agencies to reduce budgets by 3 percent due to declining revenue.
Little said he anticipated the revenue shortfall last May and emphasized that early planning minimizes impact on residents.
The governor explained that giving agencies advance notice allows them to adjust without severely affecting services Idahoans rely on.
“If you do a 3% holdback early, it gives the agencies time to minimize the impact to the people of Idaho who use our services,” he said.
While Little did not specify which services will face cuts, he identified three areas that will remain fully funded: K-12 education, LAUNCH grants for technical job training, and water infrastructure.
The governor addressed speculation about potential education funding changes, saying he believes lawmakers will maintain current spending levels.
“There have been rumors that maybe they were going to do something with how well spending, but I think better minds are going to prevail and we’ll be able to keep K-12 spending whole,” he said.
Little connected LAUNCH grant funding to housing affordability issues across the state.
“A big part of housing affordability is where do you get a plumber? Where do you get electrician? Where do you get an HVAC technician. And LAUNCH satisfies a lot of that,” he said.
Water infrastructure protection reflects the critical importance of water systems statewide, according to Little.
“Whether it’s here in the Rathdrum prairie or down on the Palouse, that’s critical. Water in Eastern Idaho is always a big issue,” he said.
The budget proposal now moves to the state Senate for consideration, with Little acknowledging lawmakers will make the final decisions.
“Now it’s the balls in their court and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Idaho’s legislative session is expected to conclude in late March or early April.
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