Idaho’s 2026 legislative session ends amid partisan rigidity over tax cuts, Medicaid reductions, and social coverage, with Democrats criticizing Republican priorities.
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho lawmakers have adjourned the 2026 legislative session, ending months of debate over tax cuts, state spending and social coverage, however partisan disagreements over the outcomes stay sharp.
The Legislature concluded its work “sine die,” closing the session as payments proceed shifting to Gov. Brad Little for closing approval.
Democrats criticized Republican management throughout an end-of-session information convention Friday.
“Republican leadership spent the last few years just draining the coffers and calling it success,” mentioned Sen. Melissa Wintrow, (D) Boise.
House Speaker Mike Moyle, talking Monday on the Statehouse, rejected that evaluation.
“Listen, the Democrats, you’ll never make them happy,” Moyle mentioned.
The state funds dominated this 12 months’s session. Lawmakers permitted tax cuts whereas navigating proposed spending reductions after lawmakers entered the session going through a projected funds shortfall. Little initially proposed a 3% funds discount, together with extra cuts of 1% to 2% for many state businesses.
Moyle mentioned Republicans redirected funding towards priorities together with overcrowded prisons, recruitment and retention at Idaho State Police and wildfire response via the Idaho Department of Lands.
“We filled those holes and took care of those needs that needed to be done. So, it worked out great. And in the meantime, every Idahoan is going to get a tax relief also,” Moyle mentioned.
Lawmakers additionally permitted vital Medicaid-related reductions, slicing lots of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare subsequent fiscal 12 months. The adjustments embody a $21 million common fund discount to residential habilitation reimbursement applications that assist individuals with disabilities stay independently.
Rep. Ilana Rubel, (D) Boise, warned of widespread impacts.
“Tens of thousands of Idahoans are going to lose their health care coverage from the reductions to Medicaid expansion, and we’re going to see significant shrinkage of our health care sectors as a result,” Rubel mentioned.
Moyle defended the adjustments, saying Medicaid spending should be managed.
“Health and Welfare and Medicaid in particular are not going to go away in the future,” he mentioned. “The state of Idaho is going to have to figure out how to get the spending there under control, because it’s taking away resources from other places.”
Democrats additionally criticized Republicans for refusing to make use of the state’s $1.6 billion wet day fund. Moyle mentioned the reserve ought to be saved for an financial downturn, noting it was final closely used throughout the 2008 recession.
“So now it worked out perfect. Rainy day fund still intact. And if it starts raining, we can use it,” Moyle mentioned.
Beyond fiscal coverage, lawmakers debated social laws, together with a invoice limiting which public bogs transgender Idahoans could use. Democrats argued the measures distracted from financial and well being care issues.
“We’re seeing a tsunami, a ridiculous flag and bathroom bills to distract from the total dereliction in terms of addressing real needs,” mentioned Rubel.
Moyle defended the coverage as “common sense.”
“We don’t need the boys in the girls’ bathroom with my wife, my daughters or my grandchildren. My granddaughters don’t need that,” he mentioned.
Lawmakers could also be completed for the 12 months, however Moyle mentioned schooling funding, Medicaid spending and unlawful immigration are anticipated to dominate the following legislative session.
