State of the State: Gov. Little presents 'Enduring Idaho' plan with broad cuts, stagnant state wages
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
The coverage treats Gov. Little’s “Enduring Idaho” plan as if “cuts” are inherently reckless, and “stagnant wages” are proof the state is failing. That framing assumes government growth is the default sign of compassion and competence.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
BOISE — Gov. Brad Little’s state of the address made clear that, above all else, this year’s legislative session would be marked by cuts for Medicaid, online schooling and a myriad of state agencies, centering a new “Enduring Idaho” plan
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
The coverage treats Gov. Little’s “Enduring Idaho” plan as if “cuts” are inherently reckless, and “stagnant wages” are proof the state is failing. That framing assumes government growth is the default sign of compassion and competence. In Idaho, many voters see it differently: they want a state that does fewer things, does them well, and stops pretending every new program is an emergency.
Medicaid and online schooling deserve scrutiny precisely because they touch public trust and fairness to taxpayers. When eligibility rules blur and costs rise without clear outcomes, it is not heartless to ask what is working. It is basic stewardship. The same goes for agency budgets that expand on autopilot while frontline services stay uneven.
State wages are a real concern, but the answer is not a permanent bidding war funded by families already squeezed by housing and inflation. A stable approach protects the rule of law, institutional accountability, and Idaho’s ability to govern within its means.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.