Governor’s ‘keeping promises’ executive budget projects $6.2 billion in FY26, boosts schools, transportation and wildfire funding

Division of Financial Management Administrator Laurie Wolf told the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 8 that Gov. Brad Little’s executive budget for fiscal 2026 is a “keeping promises” budget that preserves a structural balance while funding education, transportation, wildfire management and workforce programs.

Wolf said the administration used a conservative revenue forecast and projects total general‑fund receipts of about $6.2 billion for FY26, with a projected FY26 ending general‑fund balance of $227 million after recommended transfers. For FY25, Wolf said the administration projects roughly $5.9 billion in general‑fund revenue and an ending balance of about $383 million.

The governor’s proposals include a range of targeted enhancements: an additional $150 million for public schools overall — including $83 million the presentation described as directed to teacher pay and nearly $30 million for school employee health insurance — $50 million proposed for a state transportation expansion and congestion mitigation fund, and a package of natural‑resources spending that includes a $60 million supplemental to backfill the state fire‑suppression account for FY25 and a $40 million ongoing appropriation for FY26 for fire response and fire‑management capacity.

Wolf also described revenue‑management decisions the…