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: (-2)

Bill Description: Senate Bill 1137 appropriates $65,470,400 and 431.50 full-time positions to the Division of Veterans Services for fiscal year 2026.

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 Division of Veterans Services at $64,882,000, growing from the base by 53.6% in the last three years. This rate is roughly 40 points faster than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.

(-1)

Does this budget perpetuate or expand state dependence on federal dollars, thereby violating principles of federalism? Conversely, does this budget actively reduce the amount of federal dollars used to balance this budget?

Senate Bill 1137 provides additional appropriations for IT equipment, maintenance, and licensing that is not captured by the statewide cost allocation and borne by the Office of Information Technology Services. About 82% of the funding allocated to this line item is funded by federal dollars. Particularly since this is an ongoing expenditure, this makes the Division more dependent on federal funding to support essential IT operations.

(-1)