Idaho is now staring down the barrel of Donald Trump‘s “Big, Beautiful Bill” and things look grim. Even state Republicans are gloomy, with the bill’s requirements forcing them to pull out a red marker and begin crossing crucial things out of the state’s budget. Trump’s bill contains both tax cuts and new requirements for states to fund Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), essentially asking them to do more with less money. As such, some states are facing half a billion dollars in added costs and tax revenue, and that’s on top of already squeezed budgets. Trump cuts exacerbate budget fights in red states https://t.co/Gwe2P3Eyvy— POLITICO (@politico) March 25, 2026 Idaho is being hit particularly hard, with even Trump-supporting Republicans forced to admit that the president’s signature policy will make regular Americans’ standard of living worse. For example, Idaho Republican state Rep. Jordan Redman said he’s absolutely on board with the tax cuts, but Trump’s requirements will see key programs slashed: “We’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. It’s put us in a predicament where now we’re trying to figure out, ‘OK, what programs do we keep? What programs do we cut?’” Idaho’s Republican Senator Jim Guthrie explained that while tax cuts sound good on paper, the reality is that you’re clawing back “a few extra bucks” but missing out on crucial state-provided services that make your life easier: “The feedback I’m hearing from citizens is that extra few bucks on their [return] at the end of the year, because of the taxes they didn’t have to pay, comes secondary to wanting us to take care of the things that government needs to be invested in. Which is your infrastructure and your roads and bridges and schools and also your Medicaid population.” Oh great, another puncture Today, this happened! I drove into a huge pothole just before the bridge in Sabden, Lancashire, & the alloy is now ruined, and the tyre is shredded! I was traveling slow as I was about to go over the bridge and a lorry was opposite.@LancashireCC #Pothole #Lancashire #Potholes pic.twitter.com/veqJYUZCSD— Bank on Dave (@FishwickDavid) February 16, 2026 As Idahoans will know, the state’s frequent freeze-thaw weather means a lot of potholes on roads and pavement. These have always been a part of life in Idaho, but if the state simply can’t afford to fill them in, expect vehicle damage, punctures, and misaligned suspension. Or, worse, just crashing your car after you lose control. Idaho’s bridges have also been rated as a C- by the American Society of Civil Engineers, with reports stating they’re showing clear signs of deterioration, strain, and age-related issues. More specifically, the iconic Rainbow Bridge on Highway 55 has been flagged by the Idaho Transportation Department as becoming unsafe. These aren’t big, flashy, headline-grabbing issues (well, if the bridges collapse they will be), but they are little things that make everyday life that much more annoying. This is the simple reality for most Americans for life under Donald Trump: everything gets more expensive, infrastructure falls apart, and life gets harder. It’s worth wondering where all this money is going. Trump and his ilk would have you believe that Somalis or Mexicans or Guatemalans or whatever are picking your pockets. Meanwhile, Trump’s personal wealth has increased by around $1.4 billion since he returned to the presidency. I’m sure you can figure out for yourself who’s really responsible for your unhappiness.