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: Senate Bill 1178 is an enhancement of $666,500 and 0.00 new full-time positions for the Commission on Aging for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $17,487,700 and 15.00 full-time positions to the agency.
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.)?
Senate Bill 1178 includes another $500,000 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support various programs within the commission. According to the Legislative Budget Book:
“These programs include Older Idahoan Supportive Services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, Caregiver Assistance, Adult Protective Services, and ICOA’s [the Aging Commission’s] pilot program to expand the public health workforce.”
These programs are not one time in nature, but the ARPA funding is set to sunset on September 30 of this year. Remember, these funds were supposed to provide relief from the effects of the government’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this temporary funding is instead being directed toward new social programs and services. This is wasteful, not only because this was not the intended use of the funds, but because it is unlikely that programs started with temporary funds will discontinue before the agency starts requesting state funds after federal sources dry up.
(-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 the Commission on Aging at $16,983,800, growing from the base by 23.2% in the last three years. This rate is about 9 points faster than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and 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 negative appropriation — a reduction to the base budget.
(-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?
The Commission on Aging is largely a state entity whose only purpose is to distribute federal funding to local nonprofits. This is part of its role of implementing the federal Older Americans Act. The reality is this agency is co-opted by the federal government to administer federal laws and serve a role that is better filled by private, nonprofit organizations. This legislation would make the commission 62.9% federally funded. These factors, taken together, demonstrate that the Commission on Aging is substantially dependent on the federal government to execute its duties.
(-1)
