December state tax revenues beat forecasts by $16.3 million
Idaho’s state tax revenues in December came in 5.4 percent, or $16.3 million, above forecasts, and 13.5 percent above the previous December. That puts general fund revenues for the fiscal year to date at 1 percent over the revised forecast and 7.8 percent above this point last year. You can see the monthly General Fund Revenue Report here from the state Division of Financial Management.
The Legislative Budget Office reports that with the December numbers counted in, the estimated ending balance at the end of the 2017 fiscal year June 30 is now at $130.8 million. That’s $83.7 million higher than lawmakers anticipated when they adjourned their 2016 legislative session last spring.
Starting on Friday, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee will begin considering supplemental budget requests – requests from state agencies for more money within the current budget year. If granted, those will eat into that estimated ending balance; while anticipated rescissions from some agencies will return money to it. You can see the LBO's monthly General Fund Budget Monitor here.