The federal stimulus dollars that Idaho received in the past six months cushioned the blow from lost wages and decreased economic activity due to COVID-19, helping set the stage for a stronger than anticipated revenue outlook for the current fiscal year. These revenues can be invested in critical services that enhance longer-term growth. As a state with a large share of low-paid workers, federal aid went further in Idaho than in many other states. However, the majority of the federal aid has now expired and with many Idahoans still out of work and with the pandemic causing economic stress and uncertainty, it is unclear if Idaho’s revenues will meet the state’s revised projections through the current fiscal year.
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