Governor’s ‘keeping promises’ budget emphasizes education, transportation, wildfire response and public defense

Boise — Division of Financial Management Administrator Laurie Wolf presented Governor Brad Little’s executive budget to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 8, outlining new spending priorities and the administration’s fiscal approach for fiscal years 2025–26.

Wolf told the committee the proposal is “his keeping promises budget,” emphasizing education, transportation, workforce development, protection of natural resources and public safety while using a conservative revenue forecast and preserving large reserves.

The governor’s executive budget as presented projects a $383,000,000 ending balance for FY2025 and a $227,000,000 ending balance for FY2026 after recommended actions. Wolf said the administration recommends transfers that include $59,000,000 to the budget stabilization fund (to reach a statutory target) and $50,000,000 to the public education stabilization fund. After those moves, the administration estimates a revert reserve of roughly $1.4 billion, or about 22 percent of the general fund, which Wolf said aligns with recommended reserve ranges.

Why it matters: The budget sets the administration’s priorities and is the starting point for the legislature’s work this session. It funds teacher pay and school health insurance increases, directs new money to transportation and wildfire preparedness, and increases support for public defense — all areas that affect appropriations across multiple departments.

Major numbers and priorities

- Total recommended enhancements for FY2026: about $151,000,000 (ongoing and one-time combined). Wolf described a conservative revenue approach used in the…