Idaho Capital Sun

01/13/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared likely to keep in place laws in Idaho and West Virginia banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams.

The U.S. Supreme Court weighed whether Idaho and West Virginia laws banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports teams are constitutional.

01/13/2026

State Rep. Doug Pickett was elected assistant majority leader of the Idaho House of Representatives on Sunday, one of several committee changes Idaho legislators made in connection with the opening of the 2026 legislative session.

Idaho state Rep. Doug Pickett succeeds former House Assistant Majority Leader Josh Tanner, who became co-chair of the budget committee.

01/13/2026

Republican legislative leaders in the House say the projected budget deficits faced by the state are a good opportunity to trim the fat on state budgets, while Democrats point to large income tax cuts approved over the last few years that have created a “self-inflicted budget crisis.”

As Idaho lawmakers convened Monday, Republican and Democratic party leaders were in stark contrast regarding the state budget situation.

01/12/2026

Idaho Gov. Brad Little is calling for $45 million in cuts to Medicaid from the state’s general fund.

As Gov. Brad Little kick started the 2026 Idaho legislative session, he called for $45 million in Medicaid cuts — not to repeal expansion.

01/12/2026

During the approximately 30-minute address, Little also called for conforming with the federal tax changes championed by President Donald Trump.

To avoid a state budget deficit, Idaho Gov. Brad Little recommended reducing funding transportation, Medicaid services and water projects.

01/12/2026

For those with perhaps a hazy memory of watching Schoolhouse Rock’s I’m Just a Bill, it may be intimidating to jump in to follow or get involved.

For those new to the process, the following is designed to be a comprehensive guide to the Idaho Legislature.

The workings in the Idaho Capitol may seem confusing or removed from everyday life, but decisions made there have a real impact on Idahoans.

01/12/2026

There are multiple ways to watch the speech and stay engaged with state government during the 2026 legislative session.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little will deliver the 2026 State of the State address at 1 p.m. Mountain time at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.

01/12/2026

This year seems different — since the state is facing multimillion projected budget shortfalls after years of tax cuts, Idaho’s DOGE committee recommended repeal, and even Idaho House Speaker Mike Moyle is open to the idea.

As Idaho faces multimillion projected budget shortfalls, some Republican state lawmakers are thinking about repealing Medicaid expansion.

01/10/2026

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has appointed Erin Bingham to the seat vacated by former Joint Finance-Appropriations co-chairwoman Wendy Horman.

01/09/2026

A federal judge on Thursday lifted a years-long ban on Idaho’s law that prevents transgender people from amending their gender on their birth certificate.

A federal judge lifted a years-long ban on Idaho’s law that prevents transgender people from amending their gender on their birth certificate.

01/09/2026

COMMENTARY | This would be a critical step to committing state resources to supporting struggling first-responder units, write guest columnists John Osborn, Marie Osborn and Paul Anderson.

This would be a critical step to committing state resources to supporting struggling first-responder units, write guest columnists John Osborn, Marie Osborn and Paul Anderson.

01/09/2026

The justices are taking up both cases in one day. First will be Little v. Hecox, which contests a 2020 Idaho law that categorically bans trans athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams.

A pair of blockbuster cases to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could carry far-reaching implications for transgender rights.