Idaho

Idaho

Budget Links

FY2025 (enacted)
FY2025 (proposed)
FY2024 (enacted)
FY2023 (enacted)
FY2022 (enacted)
FY2021 (enacted)
FY2020 (enacted)

Proposed Budget - Fiscal Year 2025

On January 8, Idaho Governor Brad Little released his recommended budget for fiscal year 2025. The proposal calls for $13.7 billion in total fund spending in fiscal 2025, including $5.3 billion in general fund spending. The budget recommendation reflects a total fund spending decrease of 1.5 percent and a general fund spending increase of 2.2 percent compared to original appropriations for fiscal 2024. General fund revenue in fiscal 2025 is forecasted to total $5.7 billion, a 7.2 percent increase compared to estimated revenue for fiscal 2024. After proposed transfers and disbursements, maintenance expenditures and proposed enhancements, the governor’s fiscal 2025 budget projects an ending balance of $265 million. The budget also projects total reserve fund balances – including the Budget Stabilization Fund, Public Education Stabilization Fund, Higher Education Stabilization Fund, and 27th Payroll Fund – of $1.2 billion, or 23 percent of recommended general fund spending.

Proposed Budget Highlights 

The governor’s “Idaho Works” budget includes key initiatives for priority areas including education, workforce, transportation, public safety, natural resources, and healthcare, while continuing to promote fiscal conservatism as revenue levels normalize. The budget also recommends a 3 percent merit-based increase to employee compensation for permanent positions. Highlights of the governor’s fiscal 2025 budget include:

• The largest investment in school facilities in state history ($200 million annually, or $2 billion over 10 years) to help districts with capital construction needs and deferred maintenance as well as provide long-term property tax relief.
• $40 million in outcome-based funding for schools tied to priority goals.
• $9 million in funding to strengthen high school student advising.
• Eliminates red tape for charter schools and provides $605,000 to provide support to schools needing performance enhancement. 
  

• $75 million to fully fund the Idaho LAUNCH program, which awards grants to up to 10,000 Idaho graduates to be used at any state college, career technical program or workforce training provider for an in-demand career.
• $32 million for university infrastructure.

• $200 million, the third and final tranche of an effort to improve local bridges.
• $50 million for the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation bonding program to enable the state to bond for an estimated $800 million for new infrastructure.

• $25 million for construction of a secure, forensic mental health facility.
• $200,000 in targeted funding for the Idaho State Police to support a mission to the Texas border on mitigating human trafficking.
• $4.6 million for ongoing replacement of public safety equipment.
• Establishes the Office of the State Public Defender to replace the Public Defense Commission.

• $30 million for water infrastructure investments to ensure a stable water supply.
• $20 million in additional funds for outdoor recreation, as well as $4.5 million in dedicated fund spending authority for matching grants to improve camping at various parks.
• $6.6 million for responding to invasive quagga mussels.
  

• Holds state general fund spending on Medicaid at prior-year levels, while recommending necessary provider rate increases and pursuing a work requirement for Medicaid expansion population.
• $447,000 for 8 new medical residency positions to address physician shortages.
• $2 million in opioid settlement funds to invest in behavioral health workforce and capacity.
  

• Limits general fund spending growth to 2.2 percent annually.
• Adds $24 million to the state’s rainy day funds.
• Adds $17 million to strengthen the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund.
• Leaves a sizable surplus (ending balance) to guard against economic uncertainty.
• Maintains structural balance in the budget over a five-year horizon using stress testing.

Proposed Budget Information
Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget

Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget Book 

Budget Highlights

Governor’s Press Release

Revenue Forecast (January 2024)

Governor's State of the State & Budget Address