HAYDEN, Idaho — Idaho Governor Brad Little visited Hayden Monday morning to tout his ‘Keeping Promises’ plan and to discuss his key priorities for this upcoming 2025 legislative session.
“As always, education has been my top priority,” said Governor Little.
He highlighted his administration’s past efforts to increase funding for public education.
This year, he is proposing $150 million in new funding.
“It’ll be additional teacher pay, which is really important up here at this part of the state where our school districts here compete with Washington. Obviously, we’re going to work with the legislature about increased investments of mental health, safety and literacy,” said Governor Little.
He also intends to invest an additional $25 million to help increase the capacity of the state’s Launch Program.
Last year, $75 million was made available in funding to help Idaho students who wanted to pursue in-demand careers in Idaho Colleges and career technical and workforce training programs.
“Idaho is growing rapidly everywhere, but the dire need for construction, auto technicians, plumbers, welders and electricians were just real close to KTEC and PTEC, and they’re going to be beneficiaries of that revenue stream,” said Governor Little.
The governor also said he will propose an investment of $100 million or fire suppression and management efforts.
Last summer, the Gwen Fire in Juliaetta scorched nearly 30,000 acres of land, destroying multiple homes and businesses.
Governor Little said the state’s fire suppression fund was depleted during the 2024 fire season.
“So, I’m asking the legislature to refill that and then put an ongoing commitment so we have the money we need for fire,” he said.
The plan also includes increasing pay for wildland firefighters.
For more information on Governor Little’s ‘Keeping Promises Plan’, visit gov.idaho.gov.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
