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: -2
Bill Description: Senate Bill 1435 appropriates $111,138,200 and 658.76 full-time positions to the Idaho State Police for fiscal year 2025.
This legislation includes appropriations for the Divisions of State Police, Brand Inspection, POST Academy, and the Racing Commission.
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 appropriates funds for two line items that are particularly wasteful. The first involves pay increases for contract employees working in the POST Academy. These contractors are paid actors who simulate scenarios for students. This enhancement would add $28,000 to the $69,000 already included in the base budget for this purpose. This would result in a pay increase from $13.75 per hour to $20.00 per hour — nearly a 46% pay increase. Though this request is justified on the grounds of ensuring competitive recruitment, it is appropriated on a one-time basis. This would indicate these funds would be used more like bonuses than pay increases. This is a wasteful use of taxpayer funds.
In the State Police budget, there is also an appropriation of $200,000 to add or replace radio dispatch consoles. The agency noted the price range for a new console is between $15,000 and $25,000. This appropriation provides funding for the maximum quoted cost. This is wasteful because it fails to pressure the agency to seek savings when it purchases this equipment.
(-1)
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?
This legislation confirms the maintenance budget for the Idaho State Police at $99,328,200, growing it from the base by 23.1% over the last three years. This rate is five percentage points faster than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.
(-1)
