Note: This year IFF rated maintenance bills according to a more refined system. This is an enhancement bill, and will be rated as a standalone bill. IFF will only consider enhancement line items in these ratings. This means that FTP reductions passed in maintenance legislation will not be evaluated here, among other things.
Bill Description: Senate Bill 1428 is an enhancement of $21,724,700 and 8.00 new full-time positions for the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) for the Divisions of Early Learning and Development, Family and Community Partnerships, and Youth Safety and Permanency for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $252,391,600 and 806.41 full-time positions to the agency.
Rating: -5
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 authorizes an ongoing spending enhancement for these DHW Divisions of $1,289,600, adding onto last year’s (FY26) increase in ongoing spending of $10,022,300. FY26’s ongoing spending is wrapped into FY27’s base increase, making ongoing spending especially important to scrutinize. Volatility in these increases (or decreases) is to be expected, and makes discernment on the propriety of new spending imperative.
This ongoing expenditure likely consists of three enhancements. The first are two budget restorations for Post Adoption Services ($431,900 GF) and Safety Assessments ($250,000 GF), and the third is for Population Forecast Adjustments ($600,000 DF). Almost all agencies faced the additional 2% JFAC holdback, and agencies asking for exemptions or restorations do a disservice to agencies that accepted the entire 5% holdback.
(-1)
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.)?
This legislation authorizes onetime spending for these DHW Divisions of $20,435,100, adding additional expenditures after last year’s (FY26) onetime spending of $26,160,500. Onetime spending is often even more volatile than ongoing spending, which is to be expected due to the onetime expenses generally being utilized for projects or capital outlay. This also calls for special scrutiny and discernment.
There are several onetime enhancements. The first is a net zero transfer of the IHVP program ($4,242,800 FF) to Early Learning and Development (ELD). The second are replacement items ($20,000 F/DF), and the third is a grant for kinship navigation services ($180,000 FF). The fourth is the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) Capacity Year 2 ($16,000,000 FF). It further reappropriates last year's $14,000,000 which has been paused during an ongoing fraud investigation. The state should not be in the business of child care, and this is wasteful spending, especially in a deficit year.
(-1)
Does the budget fund any programs or line items that violate the spirit or the letter of either the U.S. Constitution or the Idaho 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 and the Idaho Constitution?
The ICCP is currently operating as a non-statutory program, authorized nowhere in Idaho Code and governed by rules promulgated by the DHW. This abandons the very core concept of our constitution and our state, as well as our republic. That being the fact we are a nation of laws, and those laws are enacted by representatives who were elected by the people. The continued operation of the ICCP is an affront to the concept of self-government and makes a mockery of the legislature itself as well as the idea we are governed by law.
(-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 $20,428,300 in federal enhancements to the agency for replacement items and the above mentioned grants. This represents a commitment to continued reliance on borrowed federal dollars, deepening the dependence on the federal government and violating the principles of federalism.
(-1)
Does the budget grow government through the addition of new, objectionable, permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded existing programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?
This legislation adds 5.00 new FTP to the Idaho Child Care Program. This program is unconstitutional and therefore by definition, these FTPs are objectionable. Three FTP are a net zero transfer due to the transfer of IHVP to ELD.
(-1)
