Boise (670 KBOI News) – Idaho Governor Brad Little opened the 2019 Idaho legislative session today with his first State of the State address at the Capitol.

Fiscal conservatism was a theme, and he said he wanted to build on the success of the past, deregulating and cutting taxes.

“Is there too much spending on auto-pilot?  Are we putting off maintenance that will cost our children more tomorrow?  Do we have adequate Rainy Day funds?  How do we structure the Surplus Eliminator?” asked Little.  “These measures in my proposed budget ensure we avoid short-term fiscal mistakes that other states, and the federal government, continue to make.”

He also said he wanted to see any new taxes offset by spending cuts or real increases in revenue.

But Little threw water on hopes the controversial grocery income tax would go away this year.

But he said he thinks that problem will work itself out after this year…because people will realize they have to adjust their withholdings to keep up with the changes made in the federal tax reforms.