The Idaho Spending Index serves to provide a fiscally conservative perspective on state budgeting while providing an unbiased measurement of how Idaho lawmakers apply these values to their voting behavior on appropriations bills. Each bill is analyzed within the context of the metrics below. They receive one (+1) point for each metric that is satisfied by freedom-focused policymaking and lose one (-1) point for each instance in which the inverse is true. The sum of these points composes the score for the bill.
Rating: (0)
Bill Description: Senate Bill 1132 appropriates $696,500 and 4.00 full-time positions to the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2026.
Does this budget enact powers and activities that extend beyond the proper role of government? Conversely, does this budget fulfill the proper role of government?
The express purpose of the State Independent Living Council is to “provide Idahoans across disabilities and age a greater voice in obtaining services that are consumer-responsive, cost effective, and community-based.” Idaho is required to have this agency to receive federal funds under Title VII of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. The duties of this agency are directed by the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
It is apparent that the agency’s purpose is to administer federal law and to help the state meet federal stipulations for receiving this funding. It is not the proper role of state governments to implement and enforce federal regulations on their behalf.
(-1)
Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?
This legislation funds ongoing spending for the State Independent Living Council at $696,500, growing from the base by 5.1% over the last three years. This rate is nearly four points slower than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.
(+1)
Does this budget contain hidden fund transfers or supplemental expenditures that work to enact new policy or are not valid emergency expenditures? Conversely, are fund transfers only made to stabilization funds or are supplemental requests only made in the interest of resolving valid fiscal emergencies?
Analyst Note: This budget contains two line items for net-zero fund transfers within the budget of the State Independent Living Council. These transfers are designed to cover employee salary and benefit increases caused by the statewide change in employee compensation adjustment. The agency’s dedicated fund does not allow for increases that cover employee salaries and benefits. This transfer allows for general funds to cover the increase instead. This is not a hidden fund transfer.
(0)
