Everyone is looking at the same revenue and budget numbers after the State of the State, but they're coming to some very different conclusions. This week, we take a look at the reactions to the speech, then producer Logan Finney talks about priorities for the session with two new members of House leadership, Assistant Majority Leader Doug Pickett and Minority Caucus Chair Monica Church.

Lawmakers are still trying to get their arms around the One Big Beautiful Bill, but one thing they don’t have to consider yet is a transfer of federal lands to state management. Logan Finney sits down with Sen. Ben Adams to talk about a constitutional amendment he’s working on that would govern how Idaho would handle such a transfer.

Extra: House Republican Leaders Respond to 2026 State of the State by Idaho Public Television

Extra: Idaho Democratic Leaders Respond to 2026 State of the State by Idaho Public Television

Gov. Brad Little delivers his 2026 State of the State Address. Then, Idaho Reports host Melissa Davlin is joined by Director Lori Wolff of the Division of Financial Management, Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, and Dr. Stephanie Wit of Boise State University’s School of Public Service to provide commentary and analysis of the governor’s budget and policy priorities.

Watch the Democratic response: https://youtu.be/IFB94ogZ0mg

Watch the Republican response: https://youtu.be/GvbwPzW7chw

As we gear up for the 2026 legislative session, the budget is on everyone’s minds. Former Rep. Wendy Horman gives us her take on Idaho’s current budget situation, as well as her new role at the Office of Child Care at Health and Human Services. Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News, Dr. Jaclyn Kettler of Boise State University, and Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog discuss the session ahead.

In 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Alex Adams to serve as the assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services. Idaho Reports producer Logan Finney sat down with Adams on December 23rd to discuss his new role.

Rep. Wendy Horman, co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, announced last month she would step down from the legislature to accept a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the Director of the Office of Childcare. She joined us on Monday, her last day as a state legislator, to discuss her new role in the Trump administration and to share her take on the budget situation.

Promo: Welcome back to the Idaho Reports podcast by Idaho Public Television

Idaho Reports is moving to Thursday nights at 8:30 pm. We’re still bringing you updates and analysis from the legislature, plus interviews and in-depth discussions with policymakers on how decisions they make in Boise affect you. Watch Idaho Reports starting January 8th at our new time, Thursday nights at 8:30pm on Idaho Public Television, or stream it online at idahoreports.org or in the PBS app.