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: (0)

Bill Description: Senate Bill 1204 is an enhancement of $295,000 and no new full-time positions for the Executive Office of the Governor for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $5,054,000 and 21.0 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 1204 includes discretionary appropriations of $250,000 for the America 250 celebration for the governor to spend.  This comes on top of the $1,650,000 appropriated last year and moved to the Treasurer’s account via H357 in this legislative session. It is unnecessary spending for the Office of the Governor to have another $250,000 at its disposal.  

(-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?

The ongoing budget for the Executive office of the Governor is over $4.7 million and has grown about 11% the last three years, under the rate of inflation.

(+1)