Idaho

Idaho

Budget Links

FY2024 (proposed)
FY2023 (enacted)
FY2022 (enacted)
FY2021 (enacted)
FY2020 (enacted)
FY2019 (enacted)

On January 9, Idaho Governor Brad Little released his recommended budget for fiscal year 2024. The proposal calls for $14.0 billion in total fund spending, including $4.9 billion in general fund spending, $3.3 billion in dedicated funds, and $5.8 billion in federal funds. The budget recommendation reflects a total fund spending increase of 8.1 percent and a general fund spending increase of 5.0 percent compared to original appropriations for fiscal 2023. General fund revenue in fiscal 2024 is forecast to total $5.5 billion, a 5.5 percent decrease compared to estimated revenue for fiscal 2023; the decrease is due mainly to the implementation of prior tax cuts and a sales tax transfer to education. After proposed property tax relief, transfers and disbursements, maintenance expenditures and proposed enhancements, the governor’s fiscal 2024 budget projects an ending balance of $220 million. In addition, the budget projects total reserve fund balances – including the Budget Stabilization Fund, Public Education Stabilization Fund and Higher Education Stabilization Fund – of $1.1 billion, or 23 percent of recommended general fund spending. The governor’s budget also recommends supplemental appropriations for fiscal 2023, mostly for capital investments and other critical infrastructure.

Proposed Budget Highlights 

The governor’s “Idaho First” budget prioritizes funding for education, workforce, infrastructure, health and human services, public safety, tax relief, and employee compensation. The governor’s budget also continues to take fiscally prudent steps to prepare the state for the next recession. These steps include paying off debt, using one-time funds to address state building deferred maintenance, bolstering rainy day funds, enhancing the state’s fire suppression fund, leaving a healthy surplus (ending balance), and focusing on long-term structural balance with the use of a fiscal stress test. Highlights of the governor’s fiscal 2024 budget as well as largely one-time supplemental appropriations for fiscal 2023 include:

 Education

• $330 million for targeted public school investments supported by dedicated sales tax collections set aside during the 2022 special session and approved by voters
  • Includes funds to enhance teacher and classified staff pay and health insurance benefits as well as bring starting teacher pay to the Top 10 nationally
  • Includes $52 million in discretionary funding to local schools to meet local needs and reduce reliance on property taxes
• $30 million to make permanent the Empowering Parents grant program to support student learning outside the classroom
• $20 million in one-time grants for school facility security
• $30 million in one-time grants for school information technology

 Workforce

• $80 million to expand the Idaho Launch scholarship program for qualifying high school graduates to use at any Idaho university, community college, career technical program or workforce training provider

 Infrastructure

• $97 million to fully fund the ongoing transportation safety gap
• $200 million to improve local bridges
• $35 million to improve airports statewide
• $10 million for pedestrian and safety projects
• $100 million reserved for economically significant local transportation projects
• $225 million in federal funds to improve broadband infrastructure
• $150 million for state water supply infrastructure
• $115 million to support drinking water and wastewater systems
• $100 million for outdoor recreation

 Health and Human Services

• $22 million general fund and $50 million federal funds for behavioral health provider rate increases and expanded services to Medicaid beneficiaries
• $24 million for a new mental health facility
• $20 million in ongoing federal funds for emergency medical care in rural areas
• $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for childcare infrastructure grants

 Public Safety

• 10 percent pay increase for law enforcement officers
• $1.6 million for statewide drug interdiction team to respond to ongoing fentanyl crisis, as well as one-time and ongoing funds for drug testing and fentanyl training

 Tax Relief

• $120 million set aside for additional ongoing tax relief to be directed to local government property tax mitigation
• Fully implements the flat tax passed during the 2022 special session

 Employee Compensation

• In addition to raising law enforcement and teacher pay, calls for 4 percent merit-based increase for permanent state employees

Proposed Budget Information
Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget

Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget Book 

Budget Highlights

Governor’s Press Release

Revenue Forecast (January 2023)