March 26, 2023
Spending the Public Coffers
Lawmakers sure are generous with your money
By: Brian Almon
The budget for Idaho’s state government is expected to be more than $14 billion dollars this year.
That is billion with a B.
While some functions of government are necessary, such as roads, law enforcement, and public education, (quiet down libertarians!), a look at our state’s budget shows that we are paying for a lot more than that.
Each agency believes that they are the most imperative part of the state government and zealously fights for every dollar in their budget. State agencies have full time staff who come down to the Capitol each year and give slick presentations on why they deserve more of our money. After sitting through dozens and dozens of these presentations, members of JFAC are often convinced that they are doing a noble deed by appropriating money.
It’s hard to be the one legislator who stands up and says “no”. Every budget has an emotional component, and media is prepared to make you out to be the devil for opposing it. Does the University of Idaho really need an additional million dollars for grief counseling after the horrific murders last year? Does the state really need to be paying for people’s childcare? Should the state really be funding public television? Do we need an Arts Commission? A Commission on Hispanic Affairs? How about the Bean Commission?
Take a few minutes and scroll through the A-Z list of state agencies and consider how many come under the the proper role of government. Which ones would you eliminate if you could? Before you say anything, remember that each of these agencies represents numerous jobs for Idahoans. Are you prepared to see them interviewed on TV news, blaming you for their unemployment? Are you ready to see pictures of their sad children? Each agency also networks with non-governmental organizations and contractors, which means even more people rely on the taxpayer gravy train.
We are in this situation today because the Legislature has never had the spine to say “no”. Each successive governor adds new agencies and bureaucracies, and always for good reasons. But that’s the trick, isn’t it? There is always something that the Legislature can justify spending other people’s money on, and then pat themselves on the back for their generosity.
Fixing this requires a Legislature not only willing to say “no” when the bureaucrats come begging for bigger budgets, but also with the courage to start actually reducing government. It’s not enough to stop the growth of government; we must actively shrink government.
We need 36 representatives, 18 senators, and 1 governor who have the courage to do what is necessary to restore government to its proper estate and return the treasury to the taxpayers it was stolen from. There will be tears. There will be media hit pieces. There will be vengeance on the part of the bureaucrats who have built their livelihoods on back of the taxpayers. But it’s necessary.
Note: A descendant of American pioneers, Brian writes about the importance of culture and about current events in the context of history. His work can be found on Substack, here.
