Idaho’s state budget is on fire. Emergency cuts were already underway when the Legislature convened in January. You might have hoped the Republican supermajority would bring fire hoses. Instead, they’re pouring gasoline on it.

Republicans are ramming through a tax conformity bill to match changes made in Washington, D.C., blowing a hole of hundreds of millions of dollars in the budget, with costs that will only grow. Democrats pushed a responsible alternative focused on helping working families and protecting essential services. Republicans rejected it. The result is maximum damage.

Even the governor’s budget director warned more cuts would be “pretty detrimental to agencies’ operations and, likely, services.” Agency leaders agree.

Cuts to Idaho State Police would mean furloughs and fewer public safety resources, including the elimination of the state’s SWAT program. The Department of Correction says furloughs would compromise prison operations and probation and parole supervision. Cuts would also delay required rehabilitation, extend prison stays, and cost more long-term.

In a stunning betrayal, Republican budget chairs are also considering $55 million in cuts to K–12 schools. Last year, Republicans enacted $50 million in private school subsidies to appease the out-of-state voucher lobby. But they promised this wouldn’t draw dollars from public education. Now they are protecting the voucher scheme while schools take the hit. And the GOP still refuses to address the $100 million gap in special education funding.

The most reported-on cuts are to Medicaid, and for good reason. Each day brings a new story of a family being impacted, like the mom of 10-year-old twins with Down syndrome who was told their therapy visits will be limited, even though those sessions help her kids make transformative progress. In North Idaho, another family fears cuts to home- and community-based services could take away the support that enables two adult brothers with autism to live at home rather than in an institution.

To make it worse, Republican leaders appear determined to bury these stories. For years, Idaho held an annual hearing where families could testify about Medicaid. They shut it down.

So Democrats stepped up. On February 4, Democratic legislators held a public forum at the Capitol. Idahoans packed the Lincoln Auditorium and three overflow rooms to share what these cuts mean for their families.

Republican lawmakers are draining revenue, while cutting schools, health care, and public safety. And they want to avoid hearing from Idahoans about the harms they are causing.

Democrats are committed to elevating the stories of Idahoans impacted by this fiscal recklessness and have scheduled more forums in Pocatello, Hailey and Moscow. Please join us in demanding a responsible budget that reflects Idaho values and serves the people of our state.

Onward,

Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair