Governor Brad Little gave his State of the State speech Monday afternoon from inside the State Capitol building. He began by touting Idaho’s 2.6% unemployment rate and $1.9 billion budget surplus, then laid out his FY 2023 budget recommendation.

The Governor’s spending plan calls for $600 million in income tax relief this year, with $350 million in new tax rebates going out to all Idaho taxpayers this spring, and $250 million in relief by lowering Idaho’s top income tax rate to 6% from 6.5% for both individuals and businesses.

The Governor is also recommending big investments in education, including $1,000 bonuses for all teachers this year and 5% raises for classified staff. Little says his budget will add $1.1 billion toward improving Idaho education over the next five years.

Little’s budget also includes $60 million in investments for Idaho State Police, $75 million for Idaho’s state veterans’ homes, $50 million to improve access to behavioral health, and much much more. You can read a more detailed outline of the Governor’s 2023 budget recommendation here.

• Democratic leaders from both the House and the Senate were highly critical of the thrust of Gov. Brad Little’s proposals for the state for next year, particularly with regard to his plan for the state’s biggest-ever income tax cuts. Read the full story from Betsy Russell with the Idaho Press.

Congressman Mike Simpson tells crowd ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ at governor’s dinner

“Wanna come explain to elementary school students what your comment meant,” one person wrote. “If not, then as a leader and elected official, show some dignity.”