By Brian Lenney
As a fresh voice in the Idaho State Senate and a committed member of the Idaho Freedom Caucus, I’m stepping up to say enough is enough.
Our state’s financial handling needs a radical overhaul, and it’s high time we faced some hard truths.
Our path so far has been treacherous, fueled by an addiction to federal funds and a dangerous habit of rubber-stamping budgets without the necessary scrutiny. This reckless approach is more than just fiscal irresponsibility… it’s a betrayal of Idaho’s core values.
The harsh reality is this: every dollar we take from the federal government comes with chains, not just strings. These funds are dragging us deeper into a quagmire of federal debt, stripping away our freedom to govern according to Idaho’s unique needs. I’m not just talking about money but the very essence of our state’s sovereignty.
This dependency on federal money is a ticking time bomb.
Consider this: during the so-called “pandemic,” Idaho received a staggering $22.9 billion in federal funds. To put that into perspective, it’s more than double our typical pre-pandemic budget of around $9 billion.
If that doesn’t set off alarm bells, I don’t know what will. We’re on a collision course with disaster if we don’t rein in our spending now.
The old guard in our State Senate has been complicit in this financial fiasco. Because for over a decade, they’ve been all too happy to approve spending bills without batting an eye.
The last time a bill was axed on the Senate floor was before the pandemic, back in 2019!
During that year, three bills met their end on the Senate floor:
- House Bill 289, which can be viewed in detail at the legislature’s website here.
- Senate Bill 1210, available for review here.
- Senate Bill 1212, whose specifics are outlined here.
It’s been five years since the Idaho Senate killed a spending bill on the floor. The way I see it, this isn’t just mediocre governance; it’s a dereliction of duty.
We were elected to serve Idahoans, not to nod along with the status quo, bow to the Governor, or kowtow to the swarms of lobbyists in the Capitol halls.
My point?
The era of automatic approvals & blind allegiance must come to an end…
And it’s members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus, who are here to shake up the old ways, inject a dose of stringent scrutiny into our state’s spending, and fend off out of control spending.
The 2022 mandate was clear: it’s time for change, time to restore fiscal sanity in Idaho. Rubber stamping every single spending bill that comes along isn’t an option. Instead, we must be bold, resist pressure, and always remember our commitment to the people of Idaho.
I urge Idahoans: demand transparency and integrity from your elected officials. Because this is your money, not “the governments.”
Even still, we stand at a pivotal juncture and the decisions we make now will shape Idaho’s future for decades. We must choose the path of fiscal responsibility, independence, and adherence to Idaho’s true values.
Enough is enough!
It’s time to ditch the ‘go along to get along’ mentality that’s plagued our state’s finances. We’re done with spendthrift tactics that treat taxpayer dollars like play money. And as for rubber-stamping budgets without a second thought?
That ends now…
We’re at a turning point in Idaho, and it’s time for a major reset (not a Great Reset though)!
No more blindly following the path set by others. No more wasteful spending just because that’s the way it’s always been done. And no more automatic approvals for spending bills that haven’t been examined with a fine-tooth comb.
In the Idaho Freedom Caucus, we’re leading the charge for this seismic shift. We’re here to shake up the status quo and inject a much-needed dose of fiscal discipline into our state’s governance. It’s time to stand firm, ask the hard questions, and make decisions that truly serve the people of Idaho.
We’ve been given a clear mandate for change, and we’re seizing this opportunity with both hands. We’re here to serve Idahoans, not special interests or outdated traditions. It’s time to show real leadership, embrace responsibility, and chart a new course towards financial stability and independence.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Together, we can redefine what it means to govern responsibly in Idaho. Let’s put an end to the era of “business as usual” and start a new chapter of prudent, transparent, and accountable governance.
The future of The Gem State depends on it.
Cheers,
Brian
P.S.
If you still do Facebook, click here.
P.P.S.
We have to be realistic about the challenges ahead. The “good ole boys club” entrenched in our political system won’t relinquish their grip easily.
This club, a symbol of the old way of doing things, thrives on opacity and backroom deals. They’ve been the gatekeepers of Idaho’s fiscal policies for years, and they won’t take kindly to our push for transparency and accountability.
So despite our best efforts, there’s STILL a significant chance these forces will work to undermine and possibly derail our efforts to implement a new, transparent fiscal process.
They have the experience, the connections, and, frankly, the motivation to maintain the status quo.
This isn’t just a possibility; it’s a likelihood.
But acknowledging this doesn’t mean we’re admitting defeat. Instead, it highlights the importance of our mission and the need for moral courage, grit, and tenacity. We’re up against a deeply entrenched system that has resisted change for years. The road ahead will be tough, and the opposition will be fierce.
In the end, our success will depend on our ability to stay united, focused, and resilient in the face of these challenges. It’s a David versus Goliath battle, but history has shown that with the right strategy and enough public support, even the most entrenched systems can be reformed.
There’s fight to be had here, no doubt.
It won’t be easy, but the stakes – the financial future and sovereignty of Idaho – are too high to back down. Let’s stay the course, keep pushing for transparency, and remember: we’re doing this for the people of Idaho, not for the approval of the old guard.
Brian Lenney is the Idaho state senator for District 13.
