Idaho Governor Brad Little says his top priority for the state budget is education, and he plans to create a new cabinet of educators and parents to advise him.
The 64-year-old Republican kept to an upbeat theme in his first State of the State address to lawmakers in what is considered the official kickoff to the legislative session.
Little has often said he prefers the lightest possible hand of government and he stuck to that theme during his speech that included ambitious goals and the announcement of two planned executive orders aimed at cutting government red tape.
On education, Little’s budget includes raising starting teacher pay to $40,000. He also plans to double literacy program funding to $26 million, and to increase funding for a program that provides scholarships for higher education.
He also wants to expand career technical opportunities, with the goal of having 60 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds earning a degree or professional certificate.
Little reminded lawmakers that 60 percent of voters approved Medicaid expansion and says he intends to work with legislators to implement expansion using an Idaho approach.
He didn’t say specifically if that meant a work or training requirement, though other Republican leaders have said as much.
Little said he planned to address Idaho’s overcrowded prisons by expanding a work camp in St. Anthony and opening a community re-entry center in northern Idaho.
Another goal is eliminating the grocery tax by next year.
Little also addressed a possible budget problem involving tax returns following the federal tax overhaul followed by an Idaho tax cut in March. State officials say that could result in taxes coming in after the Legislature finishes its work, which is anticipated sometime in late March or early April.
Little said he’s confident revenues will match economic growth, but the state will not spend money until it’s in the bank.
His first executive order will limit future occupational licensing laws by requiring state agencies to revoke two regulations for every new regulation implemented.
Little also talked about an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture called Shared Stewardship that allows state workers to work more closely with federal agencies and private landowners. He said Idaho is leading the way among states in the program to help reduce the severity of wildfires.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate now begin work on this year’s legislative session that’s expected to last to at least late March. (AP)
