Jim Woodward
Idaho Senator District 1
Greetings from Boise! We are wrapping up the third week of the 2026 session. The General Fund revenue projection for the next budget year has been adopted. With a projected revenue, we have a target to work toward as we draft budgets and prioritize them to create a balanced budget.
In Idaho, we try to keep our tax code in alignment with federal tax code. This simplifies state taxes as you can transfer your federal Adjusted Gross Income to the Idaho tax form. This year, tax conformity is a more significant question because of the changes to federal code in the One Big Beautiful Bill and the timing. We are already in tax season, yet there is a possibility to make changes for tax year 2025. The changes would reduce state revenue in a tight budget year. The result would be even more tough choices about cuts to state programs.
As it stands now, the Idaho Transportation Department and local transportation departments are going to lose $275 million of road funding. The Idaho State Patrol is not going to receive additional funding for trooper pay that we so desperately need to retain enough troopers.
Since 2018, Idaho has cut the income tax rate five times, going from 7.4% to today’s flat rate of 5.3%. I supported the tax cuts in the past to make sure people keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible. I voted against the most recent income tax cut. Our kids deserve the same great state that we enjoy. It is time to make sure we are investing in the future… for their future.
Last week I had the honor of speaking at the annual Boise Metro Chamber legislative luncheon addressing some of our largest employers in Idaho. We talked about affordability and the results of the Housing Study Committee that I co-chaired last summer. The study is complete and will be available on the Idaho Legislative website soon.
Idaho Values. Idaho Vision.
Idaho’s Future Farmers: Agriculture is Idaho’s number one industry, with our state one of the major national producers of potatoes, milk, barley, sugar beets, hops and more. The Bonners Ferry FFA Chapter, led by Julie Smith, visited the Idaho Capitol this week. I enjoy watching them grow in knowledge and abilities as they work toward being the next generation leading Idaho agriculture.
I’ve heard that the Priest River School District will soon be chartering an FFA chapter. With great local community support and advice from the Bonners Ferry chapter, they are sure to launch a great program. Best wishes to the Spartan Future Farmers of America and I’ll look forward to seeing them in Boise!
Elected County Officials Meeting
This week I spoke with county commissioners, clerks, assessors, treasurers, and sheriffs from all over the state at the Idaho Association of Counties annual conference. I hear widespread agreement that we need to raise the homeowners exemption and I agree. Look for a bill coming soon to do just that.
In the Hopper
3 to 7 p.m. January 30: Highway 95 Idaho Transportation Department Safety Open House. Please join me today at Bonners Ferry High School for open discussions with ITD.
I’ve been meeting with residents on concerns about safety in this northern corridor. I’m pleased that ITD has put together this open house to hear direct input on ideas for improved safety.
January 31 Town Halls:
- Bonners Ferry: 9 to 10:30 a.m., Visitor’s Center
- Sandpoint: noon to 1:30 p.m., Sandpoint Community Hall
- Priest River: 3 to 4:30 p.m.: West Bonner County Library
For this first town hall, we will kick off by reviewing how a bill becomes legislation. We will log onto the Idaho State Legislature site to review the status of some legislation and leave plenty of time for Q&A.