Boise, Idaho — Rep. Josh Tanner (R-Eagle) posted a press release to social media Tuesday evening confirming his appointment as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which meets jointly with its Senate counterpart as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC).
Tanner succeeds Wendy Horman, who announced her resignation from the House effective Monday. News of Tanner’s appointment was first reported last Wednesday by Logan Finney of Idaho Reports, though Tanner said at the time that he had not yet made a decision.
Speaker Mike Moyle confirmed to Idaho Reports on Wednesday that he plans to name Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, as the new House co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
“Everybody knows I’m going to put Josh as the chairman of JFAC,” Moyle, R-Star, said in a Wednesday phone interview.
Tanner has served on JFAC since 2023, his first session in the Idaho Legislature. He currently serves as House Assistant Majority Leader.
“Honestly, I haven’t made a decision at this point,” Tanner told Idaho Reports on Wednesday evening. “Am I the best fit, or can we bring in somebody else?”
Tanner said he would give up his current position as assistant leader if he accepts the House Appropriations chairmanship.
“I’m kind of an anomaly, being in leadership and on JFAC,” Tanner said in a phone interview. “It’s a lot of work in both.”
The House GOP caucus has several matters to resolve before the legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 12. If Tanner vacates his role as assistant majority leader, the caucus will hold an election to fill the position. Finney reported that Rep. Douglas Pickett (R-Oakley), chairman of the House Education Committee, and Rep. Jeff Ehlers (R-Meridian), chairman of House Ways & Means and co-chair of the DOGE Task Force, have both expressed interest.
If either were elected, it would create an additional committee chair vacancy. Former representatives Kevin Andrus and Lance Clow both resigned earlier this year, leaving openings at the helm of the House Agricultural Affairs and House Business committees.
Moyle (R-Star) told Finney that he plans to wait to fill those vacancies until after the leadership election.
Tanner has served on JFAC for all three years of his tenure in the House. His elevation to leadership comes at a critical moment, as the committee must craft a balanced budget even as tax revenues have come in below projections so far this fiscal year.
Gov. Brad Little will deliver his State of the State address and budget presentation on Monday, Jan. 12. JFAC will begin hearing presentations from executive agencies in the days that follow.
Image credit Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
