The Idaho Budgeting Process: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

By the Idaho Freedom Caucus

Dear Idaho,

We have a spending problem.

In just four years, from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2024, Idaho’s budget skyrocketed from $9 billion to $13.9 billion—an increase of over 50%. This is not fiscally conservative!

Here’s the good news:

This year, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) is changing the game. They’ve separated agency maintenance budgets (essential operational expenses) into ten bills, allowing the Legislature to approve necessary budgets quickly. This frees up time to scrutinize new line-item expenditures and budget increases, where government growth often lurks. This is crucial because it’s in the line items where massive government growth happens.

Now, the bad news:

Even the maintenance budgets are inflated and heavily reliant on federal funds. But passing them early lets us focus on the massive spending increases proposed by already bloated agencies. Eliminating wasteful expenditures is our first step to controlling the growth of government.

And here’s the ugly news:

Governor Little’s budget request is a hefty $13.6 billion, surpassing the required maintenance budget by about $1.5 billion. This extra $1.5 billion comes in the form of line-item increases, some of which, if approved, would be bundled into the agency’s ongoing budget for years to come.

But there is hope.

With this new budget setting process, legislators can vote for or against increases separately from the base budget. They won’t be coerced into backing bloated budget bills just because they fund crucial services like police, veterans, and first responders. They can vote to “keep the lights on and the door open,” without voting for extra goodies.

This is a massive win for fiscal conservatism in Idaho. Like the House Freedom Caucus fights federal spending, the Idaho Freedom Caucus fights to rein in state spending. We can’t rely on federal dollars with a $34 trillion national debt. Reclaiming our state sovereignty means controlling spending.

This approach will reveal who truly supports smaller government. Be ready for intense debates on spending limits on the House and Senate floors.

Conservative voters agree: it’s time to say “enough is enough” with the massive spending of their hard-earned money. The Idaho Freedom Caucus will always be a steadfast defender of the taxpayer.

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The Idaho Freedom Caucus is a dedicated group of state legislators committed to safeguarding the freedoms and liberty of Idahoans.