STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Dist. 26 Sen. Ron Taylor told a standing-room-only crowd at Hailey Town West Saturday that it’s going to be a very challenging year for the 2026 Idaho Legislature as they’re forced to address a budget deficit of more than $40 million.

The deficit is projected to rise to $555 million by the end of fiscal 2027 if nothing happens to rein it in.

“We were told we’re going to be facing cuts in every department,” said Taylor, recounting a briefing he’d gotten a day earlier. “K through 12 is not going to be safe. Every department in the state is on the chopping block.”

Chantel Westerman praised Ron Taylor for his integrity and commitment, noting he had no previous political experience when he raised his hand, willing to sacrifice time with his wife and their pets “to go to Boise and represent us.”

Taylor said that the budget deficit grew because of millions of dollars of ill-advised tax cuts and that Idahoans are likely to see more proposals for tax cuts this year.

Tax cuts have reduced revenue by $4 billion over the past five years with the cuts benefitting businesses and wealthy Idahoans more than average families, according to the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy.

And it’s projected state revenue could drop by an additional $284 million in 2026 due to potential revenue losses from conforming to federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed at the end of 2025 by President Donald Trump.

Some legislators also want to overturn the Medicaid expansion that voters approved in 2018. That would force people to put off health care and then wind up in an emergency room, Taylor said.

Ted Macklin and Karen Luke played Peter, Paul and Mary-like tunes ahead of Sen. Ron Taylor’s send-off.

“And that cost will get spread to all of us,” he added.

Sixty-one percent of Idahoans voted to pass the Medicaid Expansion Bill.

“We the people wanted that,” Taylor said.

On the bright side, Taylor said, the majority of Idahoans love their public lands. And there are two constitutional amendments coming designed to protect Idaho’s public lands from those like Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who unsuccessfully tried to include a measure to sell off America’s public lands in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Taylor said he is also working with Blaine County School District and the Idaho Education Association to get vaping products taxed, with the tax money going to public schools.

Taylor is one of 15 Democrats among 105 legislators.

“We’re outnumbered, but we’re stronger, braver…and we represent the people in our district,” he said, adding that a lot of legislators represent their party instead of their constituents.

Taylor encouraged those present to stand up and fight for the U.S. Constitution.

“Take the higher ground and continue to speak for those who can’t,” he added. “They’re the ones putting bread and butter and milk on our tables. Idaho does not have a problem with our immigrants. They’re hard-working people.”

In answer to a question, Taylor said that the Secretary of State is aware of the deep pockets funding funneling money into the state to get candidates sworn to outside interests elected.

“We need legislation to restrict it—it’s a long sticky process,” he said.

Taylor added that the state has wasted a lot of money doing things it shouldn’t have.

“Now we need money and we don’t have it,” he said. “How do you run an effective government if you don’t have money?”

On Monday Gov. Brad Little told legislators that he wanted to eliminate the $23 million supplemental learning fund. He said families enrolled in virtual public schools across the state have used that money for Disney+ subscriptions, video games and water parks.

Little also endorsed Idaho LAUNCH trades-based education, which provides up to 80 percent tuition relief for students attending Idaho colleges, universities or trade schools that lead to “in-demand careers” in such occupations as construction, technology and health care.

Little said state agencies will be renegotiating contracts and reprioritizing initiatives to save money to “right-size” government.