Idaho

Governor Little emphasized education as his top priority even in a tight budget year, noting a 70% increase in state support for public schools during his tenure, significant teacher pay raises, and seven times more investment in literacy programs. He highlighted the LAUNCH workforce program as a key priority, noting post-secondary enrollment is bucking national declines, and proposed right-sizing online school funding while protecting classroom funding.

Governor Little noted that over the next five years, Idaho will invest nearly $1 billion in federal funds to improve rural healthcare accessibility and affordability, including more than $150 million to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline. He committed an additional $1 million for graduate medical education and emphasized the need for affordable healthcare as a top concern for Idahoans.

Governor Little presented the ENDURING IDAHO budget plan, emphasizing fiscal discipline while protecting K-12 schools and conforming to Trump tax cuts. He highlighted Idaho's third-best tax friendliness ranking and lowest per-capita debt in the nation. He championed the LAUNCH workforce training program, noting post-secondary enrollment is rising in Idaho while declining nationally, and emphasized partnerships with the Trump administration on energy, nuclear, and regulatory reform.

Governor Little emphasized Idaho's investments in roads, water, sewer systems, broadband, and state parks using one-time federal funds responsibly, noting the state has the lowest per-capita debt in the nation. He highlighted paying down debt and achieving AAA credit rating, and maintaining water infrastructure investments for farmers and ranchers in the ENDURING IDAHO budget plan.

Governor Little highlighted Operation No Return, through which Idaho State Police are removing dangerous illegal alien criminals from neighborhoods, citing examples of child rapists, stalkers, violent offenders, and drug traffickers. He praised the partnership with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement and stated Idaho is among the safest states in the nation because of Idaho State Police.

Governor Little celebrated Idaho National Laboratory's role in nuclear energy research under the Trump administration's nuclear resurgence, noting Energy Secretary Chris Wright's visit. He highlighted partnerships for wildfire prevention through Shared Stewardship and Good Neighbor Authority agreements for improved forest health through increased logging. He also mentioned the state's efforts to expand outdoor recreation access on public lands.

Governor Little did not make housing a significant focus of his address, instead concentrating on budget management, education, and workforce development.

Governor Little presented his 'ENDURING IDAHO' budget plan to balance the budget after a 14% revenue decrease without raising taxes or cutting K-12 schools. He emphasized using a mix of one-time and ongoing spending reductions, maintaining the AAA credit rating, and positioning Idaho to conform to Trump tax cuts. He noted Idaho ranks third nationally in tax friendliness and highlighted the state's lowest per-capita debt in the nation.

Governor Little emphasized Idaho's role in nuclear energy through the Idaho National Laboratory, highlighting Energy Secretary Chris Wright's visit to celebrate INL's contributions to nuclear energy research, cybersecurity, and national defense. He noted INL's critical role in the nuclear energy resurgence under President Trump and in protecting critical systems from cyber threats.

Governor Little highlighted Idaho as first in the nation to ban candy and soda from SNAP, aligned with the Trump administration's health agenda. He emphasized the importance of water infrastructure investments for farmers and ranchers, noting the budget maintains these investments even during revenue challenges.

Governor Little highlighted partnerships with the Trump administration on border security through Operation No Return, which involves Idaho State Police removing illegal aliens. He praised the Idaho National Laboratory's role in nuclear energy and national security, noting Energy Secretary Chris Wright's visit to celebrate INL's contributions to U.S. Navy missions and cyber defense.

Governor Little highlighted making Idaho the least regulated state in the nation by cutting 95% of rules and regulations, and recommended repealing 145,000 words from state law through the 'Red Tape Rollback' report. He codified Zero-Based Regulation requiring routine review of rule chapters annually, and emphasized right-sizing spending through his 'ENDURING IDAHO' budget plan without raising taxes.

Governor Little praised Idaho as one of the first states to get a waiver banning pop and energy drinks from SNAP and the first to require able-bodied adults to work before accessing welfare. He highlighted nearly $1 billion in federal rural healthcare funding over five years and maintained that K-12 school funding would be protected from budget cuts despite revenue challenges.

Governor Little framed his budget around affordability, noting that conforming to Trump tax cuts would "put more money back in the pockets of Idaho's seniors and working families so they can afford the basics." He emphasized Idaho ranks third nationally for tax friendliness but acknowledged cost of living remains high. His ENDURING IDAHO plan balances the budget without tax increases despite a 14% revenue decrease, while protecting K-12 school funding.

Governor Little highlighted "Operation No Return" through which Idaho State Police are removing "dangerous illegal alien criminals from our neighborhoods," including "child rapists, stalkers, violent offenders, kidnappers, and drug traffickers." He praised the partnership with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement as a key public safety measure.