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.
Analyst: Niklas Kleinworth
Rating: -3
Bill Description: House Bill 253 appropriates $10,722,500 and 72.00 full-time positions to the Department of Finance for fiscal year 2024.
Does this budget incur any wasteful spending among discretionary funds, including new line items? Conversely, does this budget contain any provisions that serve to reduce spending where possible (i.e. base reductions, debt reconciliation, etc.)?
This legislation features a $79,000 request for new internal operations software. The department’s commentary on the software request indicates that it is a scheduling and organization system. This system would allow managers to monitor the work of their subordinates. However, expensive software is not necessary to fix the problem. Better organizational and communication procedures are an inexpensive and viable method for resolving such issues. This expense is based on wants rather than needs and constitutes a wasteful spending obligation.
(-1)
Is the maintenance budget inappropriate for the needs of the state, the size of the agency, or the inflationary environment of the economy? Conversely, is the maintenance budget appropriate given the needs of the state and economic pressures?
This legislation sets the maintenance budget for the Department of Finance at $10,368,500, growing from the base by 16.5% in the last three years. This rate is more than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.
(-1)
Does the budget grow government through the addition of new permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded entitlement programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?
The Department of Finance seeks to add three new full-time positions in the 2024 fiscal year. These positions include one mortgage examiner, one securities technician, and one program specialist. Adding these positions will cost a total of $278,900. Approximately $272,852 of these funds will be ongoing expenses for future budget requests. This provision in the budget grows the Department of Finance, its ongoing financial obligations, and the overall size of government.
(-1)
