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: -1

Bill Description: House Bill 700 appropriates $26,980,400 and 148.00 full-time positions to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for fiscal year 2025.

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 confirms the maintenance budget for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at $26,501,200. This is a 5.5% reduction from the 2022 fiscal year base appropriation. This was due to an ongoing reduction of $3.6 million in the 2023 fiscal year to move the extended employment services program out of the agency and into the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

(+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 $19,196,700 in federal funding to support the division. This constitutes 72% of the total agency budget for the 2025 fiscal year. This federal funding also supports 76% of the total staff within the agency — approximately 111 of the 146 FTPs in total. This demonstrates that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation depends significantly on the federal government.

(-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?

This legislation would expand the agency by 2.00 full-time equivalent positions to add new senior counselors. These positions would be mostly federally funded. This is an expansion of the permanent size of government.

(-1)