The 2026 session is here
We're hitting the ground running
Dear friends,
As we begin a new year and a new legislative session, I want to take a moment to say thank you and share a quick update on what’s been driving my work at the Legislature. Whether it’s keeping government accountable, defending the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, standing up for the sanctity of life, or working to keep taxes low and spending in check, my goal has always been to represent you and your values. I’m also committed to pushing back against radical agendas that put our kids and our way of life at risk. It’s an honor to serve our district, and I look forward to continuing the fight for the freedoms that make Idaho a great place to live.
Week 1 of the 2026 legislative session started off with a bang. When Representative Wendy Horman announced her resignation from the Legislature to take a job in the Trump Administration, that left a vacancy at the top of JFAC. House Speaker Mike Moyle asked me to fill that vacancy and after some consideration, I agreed.
Co-chairing JFAC with my partner in District 14, Senator Scott Grow, gives me an amazing opportunity to shape our state’s budget going forward. I can help ensure that government lives within its means and cuts programs that are beyond the boundaries of its proper role. I will bring the same dedication to stewarding taxpayer dollars that I’ve brought to JFAC as a regular member.
On the other hand, I can’t chair JFAC and fulfill my duties as Assistant Majority Leader. I really enjoyed that job, and was able to move a lot of good conservative legislation from that position. But there’s only one of me, so I have to decide where I can do the most good. It was an honor to be elected last year, and it is an honor to step into this new leadership role. Representative Doug Pickett was elected to the position, and I’m sure he will do a great job.
The 2026 session started on Monday the 12th with the Governor’s State of the State and Budget Address. The governor’s budget director presented to JFAC on Tuesday morning. While I commend the governor for being willing to cut spending, I did not believe it was enough. His budget relied far too much on one time gimmicks like moving interest money around, and I felt it would not be strong enough to withstand economic fluctuations. It was not structurally balanced.
The people of Idaho deserve a balance budget. It is the responsibility of the Legislature to deliver a healthy budget that maintains our state government’s constitutional responsibilities, is ready for whatever the economy might do, and—most of all—leaves as much money in your pockets as possible, which is where it belongs.
That is what I believe, and that is what I will do.
HEre’s a short recap of what we accomplished in 2025:
Before the last session, I was elected by my House Republican colleagues as Assistant Majority Leader. That position brought a lot more responsibilities, but also a lot more opportunities to make the Legislature more conservative. Between that and my position on JFAC, the budget writing committee, I have been able to do a lot of good things for the people of District 14 and of Idaho.
Tax Relief
When I saw the governor’s budget that had $400 million in new spending and $100 million in tax relief, I said why not flip those around? To that end, House Republicans passed bills reducing the income tax rate, increasing the grocery tax credit, and delivering more property tax relief. When you hear Democrats complaining about how this tax relief “defunded” their favorite government programs, remember that every tax dollar belongs to you and me, the people, not to government bureaucrats.
Legislation
You didn’t see my name on as many bills this year, but I can say I was involved in many that passed the Legislature in 2025. We were able to accomplish a lot that had been blocked in the past, like banning mask mandates, implementing a school choice tax credit, deregulating home daycares, giving parents more control over what their children are exposed to in public schools, protection for free speech on college campuses, medical freedom, penalties for financial institutions that “de-bank” you for your political or religious beliefs, no welfare for illegal aliens, stronger election integrity, and much more.
It was a great session, and I believe that 2026 will be even better.
DOGE
Legislative leadership decided to create a DOGE Task Force this year, to examine how the executive branch is spending those tax dollars. We met several times this year, and will head into the session with recommendations for consolidating or even eliminating certain government programs.
Our biggest recommendation is to repeal Medicaid Expansion. When voters approved this program in 2018, they were told it would only cost $400 million, most of which would be federal money. First off, federal money is still your tax dollars, it’s not just free cash. Second, the cost of Medicaid Expansion has ballooned to more than $1.3 billion dollars, and it continues to go up each year. Remember that this is subsidized healthcare for able-bodied, working-age men and women.
Repealing Medicaid Expansion will not hurt access to healthcare for elderly citizens, for disabled people, for children, for pregnant mothers. In fact, repealing Expansion will ensure that funds continue to be available for those who need them the most.
Events
I had a lot of great events this year, including several town halls in the spring and summer. This fall, I hosted my first ever golf tournament, as well as a gala dinner featuring Congressman Russ Fulcher and former Senator Larry Craig. It was great to see so many of you there!
I just took part in a town hall discussion in Emmett last week, and got to hear what people in Gem County are concerned about. Stay tuned for announcements of future events in 2026.
We have already hit the ground running, ready to do the people’s work. Thank you District 14 for your support—it’s the privilege of a lifetime to serve you in the Legislature.