Fiscal Fridays

Idaho just overhauled its massive $5.2 billion Medicaid program! HB 345 brings some wins: work requirements, fraud prevention, and cuts to controversial spending. But is "managed care" a Trojan horse for more government bloat? On Policy Director Niklas Kleinworth's final Fiscal Fridays, we break down the good, the bad, the downright expensive, and what Niklas plans to do to take on Medicaid in the future!

Idaho's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is facing a massive budget crisis, with overspending and mismanagement leading to a deficit in the tens of millions of dollars. This week's Fiscal Fridays examines the history of DVR's budget woes, the latest developments in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), and potential solutions for addressing this fiscal black hole. We also ask: Is it time for Idaho to consider cutting this agency entirely?

Is Idaho Uncle Sam's Puppet? Idaho's dangerously dependent on federal funds, with nearly 40% of its budget coming from Washington D.C. This "federal dole" has ballooned over decades, especially post-COVID, funding wasteful projects and even harmful woke programs. On today's Fiscal Fridays, we discuss how it's time for Idaho to "clean out the attic," cut frivolous spending, and reclaim its sovereignty.

There was chaos in Idaho's budget committee, JFAC, this week as they set key numbers for state employee raises and revenues for the next fiscal year. The establishment saw these decisions as an opportunity to game the system, but conservatives fought back. On this week's #FiscalFridays, we discuss how this stalemate foreshadows a contentious fight over spending slated for the 2025 legislative session.

California wants cheap electricity, so the federal government is looking to Idaho to provide it. But what if there was a better way? On this week's Fiscal Fridays, we discuss the Lava Ridge Wind Project and how it could be hurting Idaho's future, as well as how Bitcoin mining could turn Idaho into a tech hub and energy powerhouse. Read more below! API Dashboard - U.S. Energy Information Administration https://www.eia.gov/opendata/browser/electricity/state-electricity-profiles/source-disposition?frequency=annual&data=net-interstate-trade;total-disposition;&facets=state;&state=CA;ID;MT;OR;UT;WA;&sortColumn=period;&sortDirection=desc; Company proposing Lava Ridge says it will set aside some power for Idaho https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2024-02-02/idaho-lava-ridge-wind-power EplanningUi: The Lava Ridge Project https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013782/510 Transmission Facilitation Program Selections https://www.energy.gov/gdo/transmission-facilitation-program-selections SWIP-N Transmission Facilitation Program fact sheet https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/042324_GDO_TFP_Fact_Sheet_SWIPN.pdf U of I Study: Moderate Cattle Grazing Has No Effect on Sage Grouse Nest Success https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/news-releases/2023/102423-sagegrouse For a free copy of our Pork Report, sign up by visiting: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/

Idaho's new forensic pathology center is a complete failure. More than$850,000 of taxpayer dollars have vanished, and nobody, including the ISU administration nor the Bannock County officials, knows where the money went. On this week's episode of Fiscal Fridays we ask: was this plain incompetence, or blatant fraud? Read more below! What Happened with ISU and Bannock County Lab Money? — Anatomy of a Malfeasance? https://idahofreedom.org/what-happened-with-isu-and-bannock-county-lab-money-anatomy-of-a-malfeasance/ For a free copy of our pork report, sign up by visiting: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/

Luma, Idaho's new ERP system, has been a major financial burden for taxpayers. From $14.5 million in lost funds to increased staffing costs, Luma's implementation has been a complete and total disaster. On this week's Fiscal Fridays, we discuss the lessons learned and what needs to be done to prevent future mistakes. Read more below! Idaho’s Luma system didn’t catch $14.5 million that should go to additional property tax cuts: https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/11/20/idahos-luma-system-didnt-catch-14-5-million-that-should-gone-to-additional-property-tax-cuts/ Department of Health and Welfare mistakenly double pays $32 million in benefits: https://idahofreedom.org/department-of-health-and-welfare-mistakenly-double-pays-32-million-in-benefits/ OPE's Evaluation of Luma: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/OPE/Reports/r2403.pdf For a free copy of our pork report, sign up by visiting: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/

Idaho needs its own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)! On this week's episode of Fiscal Fridays, we expose three major areas where we can be more efficient ourselves: our woke DEI programs in higher education, the welfare we provide for illegal immigrants, and our broken childcare program that is costing taxpayers millions. Be sure to sign up for our 2024 Pork Report for more examples of government waste: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/ Read more below! IFF's Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Idaho Higher Education https://idahofreedom.org/research/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-idaho-higher-education/ To Stem the Flow of Illegal Immigrants, Idaho Must Stop Funding their Handouts https://idahofreedom.org/to-stem-the-flow-of-illegal-immigrants-idaho-must-stop-funding-their-handouts/ As Refugees Roll into Idaho, So Do the Handouts https://idahofreedom.org/as-refugees-roll-into-idaho-so-do-the-handouts/ Idaho Child Care Program Faces $16 Million Deficit as Bureaucrats Overextend Benefits https://reason.com/2024/08/28/idaho-child-care-program-faces-16-million-deficit-as-bureaucrats-overextend-benefits/

Idaho lawmakers are proposing a massive pay raise, potentially reaching 43%. This would make them the highest-paid part-time legislators in the country, with benefits far exceeding those of most Idaho residents. Rather than fighting big government with bigger government, we should hold legislators accountable and reign in the unchecked growth of bureaucracy. On this week's episode of Fiscal Fridays, we expose why this is would be a bad deal for taxpayers and explore ways to achieve a more responsible government. Read more below! A Reasonable Path Forward on Idaho Lawmaker Pay: https://idahofreedom.org/a-reasonable-path-forward-on-idaho-lawmaker-pay/ Legislative Leaders' Proposal for Higher Pay: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2024/interim/241024_comp_Legislative%20Leadership%20Letter%20to%20the%20Committee.pdf 2024 Citizens' Committee on Legislative Compensation: https://legislature.idaho.gov/committees/compensation/ For a free copy of our pork report, sign up by visiting: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/

What if we told you that Idaho is treating refugees better than its own citizens? Idaho received more than $1.7 million in grant funding for refugee programs and services — some even more generous than those available to your average Idahoan. On this week's episode of Fiscal Fridays we discuss what Idaho's policymakers can do to push back against this bad policy and return us to a nation that was founded on independence and places its own citizens first. Read more below! State Immigration Data https://ohss.dhs.gov/topics/immigration/state-immigration-data#table-data-heading Fiscal Fridays: Ending Handouts for Illegal Immigrants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSG6asuWb4U IDHW Refugee Medical Assistance https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/16/160306.pdf For a free copy of our pork report, sign up by visiting: https://idahofreedom.org/24pork/