BOISE, ID (April 4, 2025) — As the 2025 legislative session ends, Democratic leaders in the Idaho Legislature issued a stark warning: the Republican supermajority is no longer capable of responsibly governing—and it is Idaho families who are paying the price.
“At the outset of this session, the priorities of Idahoans were clear: funding of public education, addressing healthcare and our housing shortage,” said Rep. Rubel. “Instead, Republicans siphoned money needed for public education to subsidize private school tuition for the wealthy, they eliminated affordable housing funds, and actually managed to make our physician shortage worse, all while leaving us facing future revenue shortfalls. They have abandoned the values they once claimed to stand for: fiscal responsibility, local control, and limited government. It is Idaho Democrats who champion these values.”
Despite holding only 15 seats out of 105, Idaho Democratic lawmakers played a crucial role in protecting fundamental freedoms, defending public services, and enacting meaningful legislation.
“We want to ask the people of Idaho if they are better off now than they were at the beginning of this session?” said Sen. Wintrow. “We started off this session with a memorial to prosecute Anthony Fauci and ended with a bill for over-the-counter Ivermectin – every step of the way, we’ve seen our GOP colleagues borrow Elon Musk’s chainsaw to annihilate our state budget to the detriment of Idaho citizens.
“We are up against all odds, but we know how to govern, and we’re laser-focused on solving the real problems Idahoans face,” Wintrow said.
Despite numbers, Democrats delivered in key areas, including:
- Protecting public health and safety: Created more consistency among coroners regarding death investigations, improved early cancer detection by expanding access to MRI screenings, ultrasounds, and contrast mammograms for individuals with genetic predispositions, family history of breast cancer, or dense breast tissue, improved crisis response for people with dementia; and protected Idaho’s blood supply from discriminatory bans based on vaccination status.
- Defending vulnerable children and youth: Improved processes for congregate care for kids with complex needs and extended foster support to age 23 for greater stability.
- Stopping dangerous extremism in its tracks: Blocked forced Bible reading in public schools, preserved citizen-led ballot initiatives, stopped a full Medicaid repeal, and kept guns out of classrooms.
“These aren’t just policy wins—they’re proof that responsible, people-centered governance is still possible in Idaho,” said Senator Wintrow.
GOP extremism leaves Idaho behind
While Democrats fought for working families, Republicans are taking their orders from Elon Musk, Sen. Wintrow and Rep. Rubel said. According to Democrats, the Idaho Republicans’ marquee income tax cut—a massive windfall for the top 1%—came at the cost of:
- $15 million from affordable housing
- $22 million from road and bridge repair
- $25 million from home energy rebates
- Over $68 million from K-12 education, including $3 million from special education and another $2.5 million to prevent kids from smoking and vaping
- $19 million from university and colleges for in-demand careers and diversity punishment
- $500,000 from incentive programs for rural physicians
- A complete failure to address $2.7 billion in needed school facility repair, leaving property taxpayers holding the bag
“The GOP supermajority is going on vacation while the roof is caving in,” said Sen. Wintrow. “They walked away from Idaho’s public schools, its healthcare system, and from basic rules of governance.”
Meanwhile, Republican infighting brought chaos to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and stalled urgently needed budget solutions.
“The majority party has left the majority of Idahoans behind,” said Rep. Rubel. “Our caucus fought to protect your schools, your healthcare, and your democracy. With more Democratic seats in the future, we could bring Idahoans a far more responsible government that truly serves the people’s needs.”
A call for leadership
Idaho Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to responsible, transparent, and compassionate governance.
“This session made it clear: we are the fiscally conservative party,” said Sen. Wintrow. “We’re the ones defending public education, keeping the government out of your private decisions, and protecting your tax dollars from being funneled to political cronies and wealthy donors.”
As the Legislature adjourned, Democratic leaders called on voters to demand more from those in power.
“The chaos and gridlock we’re seeing this session is the natural result of extreme ideology, driven by deep-pocketed special interests overtaking the values Idahoans share in common,” said Sen. Wintrow. “Idahoans deserve better. It’s time to balance the legislature’s makeup in order to balance our budgets and protect Idahoans young and old.”