Idaho Freedom Index Metric
1. DOES IT CREATE, EXPAND, OR ENLARGE ANY AGENCY, BOARD, PROGRAM, FUNCTION, OR ACTIVITY OF GOVERNMENT?
Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?
2. DOES IT TRANSFER A FUNCTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE GOVERNMENT?
Examples include government ownership or control of any providers of goods or services such as the Land Board’s purchase of a self-storage facility, mandatory emissions testing, or pre-kindergarten. Conversely, does it eliminate a function of government or return a function of government to the private sector?
3. DOES IT GIVE GOVERNMENT ANY NEW, ADDITIONAL, OR EXPANDED POWER TO PROHIBIT, RESTRICT, OR REGULATE ACTIVITIES IN THE FREE MARKET?
Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?
4. DOES IT INCREASE BARRIERS TO ENTRY INTO THE MARKET?
Examples include occupational licensure, the minimum wage, and restrictions on home businesses. Conversely, does it remove barriers to entry into the market?
5. DOES IT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CREATE OR INCREASE ANY TAXES, FEES, OR OTHER ASSESSMENTS?
Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?
6. DOES IT INCREASE GOVERNMENT REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH?
Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?
7. DOES IT INCREASE GOVERNMENT SPENDING (FOR OBJECTIONABLE PURPOSES) OR DEBT?
Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?
8. DOES IT IN ANY WAY RESTRICT PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION RELATED TO GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY OR OTHERWISE COMPROMISE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, OR ELECTION INTEGRITY?
Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?
9. DOES IT VIOLATE THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW?
Examples include laws which discriminate or differentiate based on age, gender, or religion or which apply laws, regulations, rules, or penalties differently based on such characteristics. Conversely, does it restore or protect the principle of equal protection under the law?
10. DOES IT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CREATE OR INCREASE PENALTIES FOR VICTIMLESS CRIMES OR NON-RESTORATIVE PENALTIES FOR NONVIOLENT CRIMES?
Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?
11. DOES IT VIOLATE THE SPIRIT OR THE LETTER OF EITHER THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION OR THE IDAHO CONSTITUTION?
Examples include restrictions on speech, public assembly, the press, privacy, private property, or firearms. Conversely, does it restore or uphold the protections guaranteed in the US Constitution or the Idaho Constitution?
12. DOES IT VIOLATE THE PRINCIPLES OF FEDERALISM BY INCREASING FEDERAL AUTHORITY, YIELDING TO FEDERAL BLANDISHMENTS, OR INCORPORATING CHANGEABLE FEDERAL LAWS INTO IDAHO STATUTES OR RULES?
Examples include citing federal code without noting as it is written on a certain date, using state resources to enforce federal law, and refusing to support and uphold the Tenth Amendment. Conversely, does it restore or uphold the principles of federalism?
Idaho Spending Index Metric
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.
1. 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?
2. 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.)?
3. 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?
4. DOES THE BUDGET FUND ANY PROGRAMS OR LINE ITEMS THAT VIOLATE EITHER THE SPIRIT OR THE LETTER OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION?
CONVERSELY, IS THIS BUDGET RESTRICTED TO PROGRAMS AND LINE ITEMS THAT BETTER ALIGN THE AGENCY WITH THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF BOTH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION?
5. DOES THIS BUDGET CREATE PERMANENT PROGRAMS OR FULL-TIME POSITIONS (FTPS) USING TEMPORARY FUNDING?
6. 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?
7. 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?
8. 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?
IFF analyses are intended to provide lawmakers and constituents with a frame of reference for conservative budgeting by summarizing whether appropriation measures contain items that are sincerely objectionable or supportable.
