In this episode of Swimming Upstream, former Idaho State Superintendent and host Tom Luna sits down with Wendy Horman, Chair of the Idaho House Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), to explore what it truly means to lead in education while swimming against the current.

Rep. Horman reflects on her journey from local school board service in the Bonneville School District to becoming one of the most influential voices shaping Idaho’s education funding and policy. Drawing on more than two decades of public service, she explains how asking hard questions, following the data, and challenging the status quo have guided her work at both the local and state levels.

The conversation dives deeply into education funding, accountability, and transparency. Horman explains how Idaho’s education budget has more than doubled over the past decade while student enrollment has grown modestly, and why fiscal policy is inseparable from education policy. She also outlines the major reforms to Idaho’s budgeting process, designed to increase accountability by separating base funding from new spending requests and requiring agencies to demonstrate results before seeking additional dollars.

Throughout the episode, Horman returns to a consistent theme: optimism rooted in students themselves. From her work with local schools to conversations with college students, she shares why the next generation gives her hope for the future of education in Idaho and beyond.

Key Moments

04:00 From school board service to the Idaho Legislature

08:55 Understanding Idaho’s education funding structure

11:52 Reforming the state budgeting and accountability process

16:35 Public education investment and school choice can coexist

19:23 Inside Idaho’s parental choice tax credit

24:56 What gives hope for the future of education

25:54 A surprising piece of Idaho education history

21:49 Kids Inspire Hope

Connect with Wendy Horman

Website: https://idahocapitalsun.com/