The Problem
State agencies spend billions of taxpayer dollars every year on staff, programs, and operations. Too often we do not know if the money is used well. Different departments do the same work twice, like overlapping IT systems or admin tasks. Low-performing programs keep getting funded year after year. Inefficiencies build up and waste money that could go to frontline services like health care, schools, or public safety. Current audits are limited, mostly happen after problems are big, and do not cover every agency regularly. Agencies report on themselves too much, submitting their own data and explanations without regular independent checks. This is like grading your own homework: problems get downplayed, inefficiencies hidden, and successes overstated. No strong routine checks mean waste stays hidden and departments stay short-handed.
What I'll Do Day One as Governor
Sign an order that requires regular performance audits for all state agencies. Right away:
Mandate independent audits for 25 percent of agencies each year on a rotating schedule (full cycle every four years), with more frequent spot checks on high-risk or high-spend areas.
Post every audit finding and recommendation online on Transparent Idaho within 60 days.
Create a small coordination team using existing staff to pick priority areas and make sure fixes happen.
Pilot audits in 3 to 5 agencies (like Health and Welfare, Education, and Transportation) and report early results in 90 days.
This uses powers I already have. No new laws needed first.
How This Is Different From Now
Right now, audits are spotty and often after the fact. Agencies submit their own performance data and explanations without regular independent checks. This lets problems stay hidden. This way brings in outside auditors to verify the data critically, spot overlaps, and recommend real fixes. Audits become routine, public, and action-focused. Citizen tips help set priorities and every fix ties to better results for Idahoans.
What I'll Push the Legislature For
Easy laws to make it permanent:
Require rotating independent audits for all agencies every four years, with spot checks in between and findings posted online.
Fund a small permanent audit office paid from savings to coordinate and enforce recommendations.
Add penalties for repeated poor performance (like holding back part of the budget) and rewards for strong results.
Require agencies to report progress on audit recommendations every year.
No big new spending. Savings from fixes pay for it.
How We'll Check It Works
We will keep it honest with:
Public postings of all audit reports, fixes, and progress on Transparent Idaho.
Follow-up reviews by the audit team to make sure recommendations happen.
Citizen team to review findings and take tips on agency waste.
Yearly scorecard showing savings found, fixes made, and services improved.
Everything open for anyone to look at and ask about.
How This Connects to Other Reforms
Audits are the verification engine for the entire plan. They spot overlaps and low-return programs in budgets, contracts, grants, workforce outsourcing, and permitting delays. Findings feed directly into budget reallocations to cut waste and protect essentials and into procurement enforcement to verify disclosure and limits. Citizen tips from audits help workforce reform prioritize high-turnover areas and grant reform identify misuse. Results support faster permitting by highlighting inefficient reviews. This reform ensures every other one delivers real and measurable improvements with no more hidden problems.
Answers to Common Questions
Won't audits slow down agencies and create more paperwork?
Audits use existing data where possible and are spread out over time. They save time in the long run by cutting waste. Pilots will show quick wins without big disruption.
How do we make sure good programs are not unfairly cut?
Audits look at results and efficiency, not just spending. Citizen input and public data keep the process fair.
What if agencies resist sharing information?
The order requires full cooperation. Resistance gets public spotlight, and laws add real enforcement like budget holds.
Does this cost taxpayers extra money?
Very low cost. We use current staff and tools. Savings from fixes more than cover any added work.
How does this connect to the contracts and budget reforms?
Audits spot leaks in contracts and budgets early. Transparency from all three reforms works together to keep money flowing to real work.
What about small agencies or rural programs?
Audits are scaled to size. The citizen team includes voices from rural areas to protect what works there.
How will we measure real improvement?
Through the yearly scorecard on Transparent Idaho: dollars saved, services improved, and citizen feedback.
What if an audit finds waste but the agency says it is essential?
The process is about results, not claims. Public data and the citizen team give everyone a voice to decide.
How often will audits happen?
Every agency gets reviewed on a rotating schedule, at least once every four years, with spot checks in between for high-risk areas.
What if federal funds are involved?
We follow federal rules first but add state transparency so waste does not hide in mixed funding.
How does this sequence with other reforms like budget and contracts?
Audits run in parallel from Day 1 (low cost). Findings feed into budget reallocations and contract audits in Year 1–2, spotting leaks early to support savings.
What about rural or small agencies?
Audits are scaled to size and complexity. The citizen team includes rural voices to ensure fair review and protect what works in smaller communities.
How do we avoid audit fatigue?
Rotation (every 4 years full cycle) and focus on high-risk areas prevent overload. Pilots test efficiency first.