JFAC shown governor’s “keeping promises” executive budget; staff demo SharePoint and new LSO research team

BOISE — On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) heard a high-level briefing on Governor Brad Little’s executive budget and an orientation to new committee tools and staff supports ahead of the 2025 budget-setting session.

Laurie Wolf, administrator of the Division of Financial Management, told JFAC members the plan is “his keeping promises budget,” and said the proposal aims to preserve structural balance while directing additional money to education, transportation, wildfire response and other priorities.

The executive budget summary Wolf presented projects general fund revenue of roughly $6.2 billion in fiscal 2026, leaves an estimated $227 million ending balance after recommended transfers and sets aside $100 million the governor has held for tax relief. Wolf said the state will also transfer roughly $59 million to the budget stabilization fund and $50 million to the public education stabilization fund under her proposal.

Major proposed commitments

- Public schools: Wolf said the governor recommends $150 million for public schools, including roughly $83 million toward teacher pay and nearly $30 million for health insurance costs. The proposal also includes $50 million set aside for education choice initiatives, to be released only if lawmakers pass the required policy changes.

- Workforce training and CTE: The budget would provide $25 million for workforce training, including $15 million one-time for a block-grant program requiring private matching funds and $10 million ongoing for career and technical education (CTE) capacity.

- Transportat…