Governor’s executive budget: education, transportation, fires, cyber and reserves highlighted

BOISE, Idaho — Laurie Wolf, administrator of the Division of Financial Management, presented the governor’s executive budget to the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee on Jan. 8, outlining priorities that include new investments in public education, transportation capacity, wildfire management, workforce training, cybersecurity and record additions to state reserve accounts.

The presentation framed the proposal as a "keeping promises" budget that continues investments the administration and legislature have pursued in recent years, Wolf said. She described the plan as structurally balanced and based on conservative revenue forecasting while adding targeted enhancements and transfers to rainy‑day accounts.

Key numbers and priorities

- Education: The governor recommended an additional $150 million for public schools for FY 2026, including $83 million toward teacher pay and nearly $30 million for teacher health insurance. The budget also sets aside $50 million for education choice initiatives; Wolf said any policy option drawing on that amount would require a separate policy bill.

- Transportation: The governor recommended a $50 million contribution to a transportation expansion and congestion‑mitigation fund administered by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). DFM said that contribution would support additional bonding capacity to fund high‑value expansion…