LEGISLATURE
Education news, including daily roundups, from the 2026 session
A $10 million cut to Idaho Launch could leave as many as 1,250 high school graduates on their own this fall. Proposed cuts to the state’s brand-new private school tax credit law could leave as many as 900 Idaho families out of luck.
The five-member court unanimously agreed that the Idaho Constitution doesn’t prohibit the state from funding private education in addition to the public system.
The latest round of proposed budget cuts would take a disproportionate bite out of a growing college and university system that can ill afford it. No other state agency has more to lose.
The Legislature’s most powerful budget-writers asked state agencies to spell out plans for spending cuts — ratcheting up a debate that is dominating the 2026 session.
The Republican superintendent said she already “fulfilled the assignment” by making cuts to the K-12 budget ahead of the legislative session.
Step by step, legislative leaders are trying to dismantle Gov. Brad Little’s spending and tax proposals. Either way, the budgets are teetering — and if anything goes wrong, K-12 and higher ed could pay a big share of the price.
K-12 public schools would be exempt. But colleges and universities wouldn’t be immune.
Some justices appeared skeptical that the Idaho Constitution prohibits the state from funding private education. INSIDE: Photo gallery.
Idaho colleges and universities are working through compliance with Idaho’s latest anti-DEI law, passed last year. Two right-wing groups say the colleges and the State Board are breaking the law.
The $1,700 credit refunds donations to organizations that offer students scholarships covering tuition, tutoring and other education expenses.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.18.26: Community college budget survives dustup over CWI
In other news, a new bill on school abuse reporting and disclosure surfaced.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.17.26: Little signs off on lawmakers’ plan for deeper spending cuts
In other Statehouse news from Tuesday, a new bill would cut Idaho Digital Learning Alliance funds roughly in half.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.16.26: House approves spending cuts for higher ed
In other Monday news, the House passed a bill that would make violations of Idaho’s bathroom law a criminal offense.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.13.26: Senate rejects attempt to call anti-teachers’ union bill for vote
In other news, a far-reaching medical freedom bill appears dead for the session.
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Statehouse roundup, 3.12.26: Committee introduces bill to give schools spending flexibility
Also Thursday, two bills amending the state’s ‘harmful material’ library law advanced to the House.