b'Winter 2019 State ReportIdaho Insider PRINGS GOLF T ETON S COU RFriday, September 13, 2019 S EIDGovernor Little 2020 Legislative PreviewThe Little Administration has settled in is still in the honeymoon stage with the Idaho legislature, but the road may get rougher in 2020. Budget forecasts are off the mark and the belt-tightening has begun. Agencies have been put on no-tice to zero out budget increases, and of possible holdbacks if rev-enues continue to lag. Legislators are also looking at the revenue storm clouds and are reigning in expectations. Throw in the need to reinstate all state rules in 2020, and the upcoming session may not follow traditional patterns of activity. Governor Little jumped at the opportunity (handed to him by the 2019 legislature) to revisit all 8000 pages of the administrative rules that govern state regula-tion. We commend the governor for his efforts to streamline and reduce government regulation, but we do expect the new set of rules to consume the early weeks of the 2020 session. And in this case, it is a very good thing. Medicaid Expansion takes effect on January 1, 2020, despite the opposition of many legislators. The big question is how the state will pay the bill. This is the fight that will occupy the legislature in 2020. Like his predecessor, Governor Little continues to focus on education, and we can expect education funding to take a front seat next to Medicaid as a priority. Property tax relief is an emerging issue, as Idahos growth and attendant tax burden puts a strain on existing homeowners. Concerns about revenue shortfalls cast a pall over budget-writers, and this is likely to limit big ticket items, new or expanded, in the FY2021 budget cycle. Look for Medicaid Expansion and educa-tion to squeeze out other proposals. But where will the money come from to pay for these expensive and expansive demands on the states General Fund? I predict that budget battles will loom Thank You large in 2020, while other initiatives (new taxes and programs) 2019 IPM&CSA PAC Golf Event Coordinators:may get swept aside. Keep in mind that 2020 is an election yearClear Lakes Country Club, June 26 (Rob Franklin, United Oil)which means legislators will be focused on getting home to their Teton Springs, Sept. 13 (Team Berry, Berry Oil) districts in advance of the May primary election.14 www.wpma.com / Winter 2019'