Governor Little - State-of-the-State Address:
Good, Bad, and Spendy
The Idaho Legislature is officially convened for the 2022 Session. As always, the session began with the State-of-the-State address from Governor Brad Little. The message lasted about 40 minutes, and included plans to increase Idaho's spending by well over 17%. That's a huge increase (especially on top of last year's increase). Here's my take on the Governor's plans:
The Good
Idaho's economy is surprisingly strong. Despite the shutdowns, lockdowns, regulations, and uncertainty from the COVID responses for the last two years, Idaho is experiencing solid economic growth, low unemployment, and a HUGE budget surplus ($1.9 billion). No doubt, some of the growth is coming from Pres. Biden's inflation stimulus of massive federal spending done with borrowed money.
The Governor outlined plans for tax cuts, education enhancements, election reforms, water and transportation infrastructure improvements. These are all good ideas if done right. He also stressed the importance of fiscal discipline. Unfortunately, the Governor was skimpy with the details but the mentions of these key items are promising for improving Idaho.
The Bad
With the enormous budget surplus, the first instinct for any conservative governor (or legislator) should be to cut taxes. Indeed, an income tax cut was the first policy mentioned by the Governor. However, his tax cut idea is disappointing for two reasons: it's small (compared to the surplus) and it is the wrong tax to be cutting. With a $1.9 billion surplus (about 40% above what was expected), it means Idahoans have paid way more in taxes than what the government actually needs (and previously budgeted for). Most, if not all, of the surplus should be returned to Idaho taxpayers, but that's not what the Governor proposes. His tax cut is only about 1/5 of the surplus, leaving the remainder for increased government spending.
Second, income tax cuts are great for high income earners (and cronies of Gov. Little?), but they don't do as much for low-income families and for families who are hurting due to massive increases in their property tax bills. All across Idaho, I hear of people complaining about high property taxes and high food prices. Idaho desperately needs property tax reform so fixed-income families are not taxed out of their homes. Idaho is one of only five states to fully tax food. We should end the tax on food. The Governor is tone-deaf to the needs of most Idaho taxpayers.
The Spendy
Idaho's budget surplus is staggering. A fiscally responsible governor and legislature need to be careful not to create programs and obligations that will be impossible to sustain once the federal tidal wave of spending dries up. Governor Little, on the other hand, has outlined budget plans which will increase Idaho spending by nearly 18% (or more). He claims the increase is only 8.1%, but it's truly much, much higher than that. His budget includes tricks for disguising spending as transfers and deferring spending so it's not counted in this year's budget.
Some of his spending plans include $1.1 billion more for education, $60 million for law enforcement, $75 million for veterans, $50 million for behavioral health programs, $200 million for transportation budgets, $200m for roads and bridges, and $400 million for building and deferment plans. These plans might as well have been presented by the most progressive of governors. It is a spending spree. For one example, the governor proposes nearly $50 million for K-3 literacy programs. These programs began just a few years ago at $5m, then $8m, then $13m, and last year at $26m. Reading scores have not improved much despite the exponential "investment." Now he want's to double it yet again as if more money will suddenly fix a broken system. There are better options. For perspective, $50 million, if directed toward teacher pay instead, would amount to nearly $3,000 per teacher per year right when they need it most.
Overall, Idaho would do much better to allocate the surplus in three important ways: 1. Return the change to taxpayers (most of it should go to reducing property taxes and eliminating the tax on food), 2. Enhance education in the areas of teacher pay and expanded school choice (we should have competitive salaries to keep and attract great teachers, and families should be able to have the money follow their kids to the best education options), and 3. Fund infrastructure deficiencies and complete needed enhancements (with a big surplus which may not persist, we should fix what we have and not create new programs needing future funding).
2022 Conservative Agenda for Idaho
Last year, Conservative Legislators came together to support an Idaho Conservative Agenda. It was successful in generating larger tax cuts, reining in the governor's emergency powers, limiting government growth, protecting education, and restoring individual rights. This year, 31 legislators came together again and held a press conference to introduce the Idaho Conservative Agenda for 2022. The Conservative Agenda is a great blueprint for improving Idaho governance. If your legislator is not on the list of supporters (see picture), call or email them to ask them what parts of the Agenda they disagree with.
Here's the press release:
Idaho’s Conservative Senators and Representatives are proud to present The Idaho Conservative Agenda for 2022. This year, the conservative legislators will focus on these goals: Restore Freedoms, Lower Taxes, and Less Government. Conservative legislators know that without election integrity, a representative republic does not function; this issue is at the top of the list of priorities. The voice of the people needs to be properly heard through their senators and representatives who understand their oaths of office and who work for the people. Other important freedoms include protection of medical autonomy and privacy, education choice, protecting family rights, keeping businesses open, and defending our Constitutionally protected rights including our right to keep and bear arms and self-defense.
The 2022 legislative session will be crucial for Idaho families and businesses. We have important work to do to keep Idaho prosperous, restore Idaho’s robust economy, make sure the massive surplus in Idaho’s budget is returned to the taxpayers who rightfully deserve it. Idaho should not sell its sovereignty for the price of federal grants (and the rules coming with them). We can and must reduce property taxes, repeal the tax on groceries, and ease other tax burdens on families and businesses. The Idaho Conservative Agenda for 2022 is the roadmap for achieving these goals.
We encourage everyone who is ready to move Idaho forward with robust economic growth, limited government, and maximum personal freedom to get a copy of the Idaho Conservative Agenda by asking their conservative senator or representative for one. Thousands of hard copies of the Agenda are available for distribution across the state.
We are ready on Day 1 with this Idaho Conservative Agenda. It will put the legislature on the path toward productivity and advancing conservative values. We are excited to get to work on both reducing and improving Idaho’s government, so it truly works to the benefit of Idaho families and businesses.
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Be an Engaged Citizen! What You Can Do...
My excellent colleague Representative Heather Scott produced this great list of ways all Idahoans should be involved in the government process. It's often said we get the government we deserve, and Rep. Scott's guide will help Idaho get better government. Elections matter, citizen involvement matters. Please do your part to make sure government in Idaho actually works for the people instead of only working for those in positions of power! Click on the link below and start checking off the items you are doing to make Idaho great again.
110 Things You Can Do - Rep. Heather Scott
Weekly Peek: Idaho Sees "Woke" Ideologies Advancing In Public Education
Last year Critical Race Theory (CRT) became a prominent topic in the Idaho Legislature and the school budgets for 2022. Many deniers in education and in the media try to cast Idaho in a bad light by saying CRT indoctrination doesn't exist in Idaho education, or that CRT is important for learning, or that it's benign--they seem to be grasping at straws for how best to defend or deny CRT. Whatever charge they can make stick in people's minds they will run with. Last year, the legislature passed H377, a bill which banned the practice of CRT in Idaho education. Schools and educators cannot treat students differently, or divide students into groups based on race. The bill is truly a fairness bill. Idaho law says to treat all kids equally. Read it for yourself (click the bill above).
The fact of the matter is bigger than CRT though. The entire spectrum of "woke" ideologies (liberal policies, gender fluidity, LGBTQ advocacy, attacks on the family, CRT, etc.) is mostly a problem in the universities, but there are a growing number of cases where "wokeness" is creeping into K-12. Families who pay taxes for excellent education and then send their kids to public schools should never have to worry that schools are undermining their values. They should expect great instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic -- not social justice warrioring. "Woke" ideologies put into action uses nice sounding words and ideas, but they are all tied to the belief that many of America's valued traditions and religious beliefs are damaging and misguided.
Here are some examples of "woke" ideologies being inserted into a high school textbook used in a Communications class in my local school district:
On gender:
"...the difference between being male and female isn't an either or proposition."
"...the traditional concept of two "opposite" genders has given way to a less constrictive, more inclusive notion of gender identity."
"It is now commonly accepted that gender identity may change over time and is not strictly tied to physical features."
On guns:
"In this speech, Emma presented a clear and logical argument: that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and politicians who accept money from the NRA were complicit in the shootings."
"...the organization (the NRA) preventing common sense gun laws.."
"We certainly do not understand why it should be harder to make plans with friends on weekends than to buy an automatic or semi-automatic weapon."
On family:
"...people who share affection and resources as a family and who think of themselves as a family are a family."
Last year, Idaho took the lead to stop the indoctrination, stop the advocacy, and start the purge of CRT as an accepted theory for how America actually works. This year, the legislature needs to broaden its protection. Hopefully, Idaho can restore and retain its education excellence without the distractions of promoting and advocating for "wokeness," Social Justice ideology, and Critical Race Theory indoctrination. We value honest, excellent education in Idaho!
If you are concerned about education being taken over by the Marxist ideals of "wokeness" and CRT, please contact your House Representatives. Thank you for caring about Idaho!
House Bills:
H436 Income Tax Cut House Revenue & Taxation
H439 Primary Election, Party Affiliation House State Affairs
You can learn more about all the legislation being considered in the legislature.
Just check the All Legislation, House, and Senate Reading Calendars found at the links below:
All Legislation (2022): https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2022/legislation/
House Reading Calendar: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/agenda/hcal/
Senate Reading Calendar: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/agenda/scal/
How Are Your Legislators Voting?
Every vote your legislator makes offers insight into their beliefs, principles and willingness to follow the constitution. Below is a link to a website that tracks Idaho legislators' votes, and scored them. How do your legislators rate? Click below to find out!
Here is a link to a non-profit (the American Conservative Union, they run CPAC every year) that tracks all Idaho legislators' voting records. Bills are selected using a rating metric based on adherence to the constitution, if the bill grows government, if it hinders private business, along with other standards. Where does your legislator stand? Will you hold them accountable?
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