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: (-3)
Bill Description: House Bill 370 is an enhancement of $654,100 and 0.00 new full-time positions for miscellaneous expenditures and replacement items for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $31,692,100 and 223.54 full-time positions to the agency.
This budget contains appropriations for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Idaho State Lottery, the Brand Inspection Division, the Commission of Pardons and Parole, and the Public Utilities Commission.
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 Idaho State Lottery is more than three decades old. But the problems with establishing and running a government gambling operation are no different today than they were in 1989, when the state sold its first lottery ticket.
The government shouldn’t be in the lottery business, which is a tax on the poorest, who hope that a winning ticket will solve their financial problems. It also is a tax on people whose hopes lead them to conclude that they may be lucky enough to “strike it rich,” even though the odds don’t favor them. The lottery’s business model depends on purchases from people who cannot afford tickets, making it highly dubious public policy. Given the current trajectory of the economy, it is likely that ticket sales will continue to increase as Idahoans seek ways to escape an ever-rising cost of living.
(-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 these agencies at a grand total of $31,038,000. Five of the six agencies included in this budget saw growth from the base in the last three years far exceeding the rate of inflation over the same period. The only agency that grew slower than inflation was the Public Utilities Commission at 11.59% over that time. They will receive the following ongoing appropriations and corresponding growth:
Because of the accelerated growth in this budget the last three years, a truly fiscally responsible enhancement budget for FY2026 would reverse the growth with a reduction to the base budget, or negative appropriation for these agencies.
(-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?
This legislation appropriates $4,779,200 in federal funds to support the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Most of these funds go toward personnel costs, supporting approximately 65% of its staff — about 31 FTPs. This demonstrates that the commission depends heavily on federal funding.
(-1)
