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 1207 is an enhancement of $3,718,700 and 0.00 new full-time positions for the Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Indirect Support Services for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $52,692,500 and 244.6 full-time positions for the Division.

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 at just under $49 million. The growth in the last three years is under 3% and less than inflation. 

(+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 Indirect Support Services Division relies heavily on federal funding to support its operations, with 52% of its total enhanced appropriation being federally funded. This enhancement brings in nearly $2 million more in federal funding.

Reliance on federal funding to support programs to this extent makes Idaho merely a vector for federal initiatives rather than a sovereign state government in the union. These agencies perpetuate Idaho’s dependence on federal dollars.

(-1)