Legislative Notebook: Plans for budget cuts show K-12 education, prison staff would be hit hard

January 31, 2026 - 18:39

Even in a normal legislative session, the Idaho Legislature’s budget process is complicated, time consuming, and at times, tense. But after this third week of legislative business, with elected officials at odds over how to solve a multi-million dollar budget crunch, it’s clear that this isn’t exactly going to be a normal year.

Preliminary plans to balance the state's finances reveal that K-12 public education and the Department of Correction are facing the most severe potential reductions. Early proposals indicate significant cuts could be levied against school budgets, impacting everything from classroom resources to staff. Simultaneously, the prison system is bracing for reductions that would directly affect staffing levels, raising concerns about safety and operations within correctional facilities.

The debate centers on a substantial projected shortfall, with lawmakers divided on the best path forward. Some advocate for sweeping cuts across state government, while others seek to shield certain agencies or identify alternative revenue. The focus on these two large portions of the state budget underscores the difficult choices ahead, as education and public safety collectively account for a major share of Idaho's spending. The coming weeks will see intense negotiation as legislators work to finalize a budget plan under significant financial pressure.