The Problem

Idaho's budget process is a mess. Lawmakers and agencies fight over money in back rooms, then make blind cuts that hurt real services like water testing, wildfire crews, school buildings, mental health programs, and more. We end up with shortfalls and more cuts every year. For example, the recent 1 percent JFAC cut slashed $131 million from the general fund for FY2026, and an extra 2 percent is coming for FY2027. That pushes total cuts to 5 percent for most agencies and hits over $143 million. Waste hides in other spots while important work gets starved. Taxpayers pay more for less. Departments run short-handed. Nobody sees the full picture until it is too late.

What I'll Do Day One as Governor

Sign an order that changes how we make the budget for every state agency. Right away:

Make every agency show exactly what their money buys, like "how many roads get fixed" or "how many kids get help." Post it all online on Transparent Idaho for everyone to see, well before decisions happen.
Pick a few big departments to start fresh on part of their budget. Explain every dollar from zero, cut what is not working, and move money to what is.
Put together a small team of agency bosses plus regular Idaho folks to look at where we can save without hurting important stuff. Give me recommendations fast, in about 45 days.
Build a simple online tracker so anyone can watch where the money goes, how much gets saved, and if things improve.

This uses powers I already have. No waiting around.

How This Is Different From Now

Right now, budgets get padded. Cuts hit everything the same way, even good programs. There is little public info on what works or does not. Problems drag on for years. This way puts real results first. It lets everyday people see and weigh in. It catches waste early so we protect what is important, like firefighters or rural health, instead of chopping blindly.

What I'll Push the Legislature For

Easy laws to make this stick:

Require starting budgets from scratch every few years, with clear proof of results and open hearings.
Set aside a bigger rainy-day fund, at least 10 percent of the budget, before any big cuts. Report savings online every year.
Create a small budget watchdog office, paid from savings, to check across agencies for better ways to spend.
Give bonuses to agencies that hit their goals, and hold back a bit from ones that keep wasting.

No big new spending. Just smarter use of what we have

How We'll Check It Works

We will keep it honest with:

Everything posted live on Transparent Idaho: budgets, changes, results.
Regular outside checks on spending, with money clawed back if numbers do not add up.
The citizen team reviews big moves and takes public tips.
Simple yearly report card for everyone: how much we saved, what is better, what still needs fixing.

How This Connects to Other Reforms

This is the foundation. Better budget decisions free up dollars from waste to fund fixes in every other area. Savings from procurement and contracts reforms flow directly into protecting frontline services here. Audits spot leaks early to make reallocations even smarter, while workforce and grant reforms use those protected funds for staffing and direct help. Regulatory streamlining then accelerates growth that brings in more revenue over time. Together, they ensure money is not just saved. It is used where Idahoans need it most.

Answers to Common Questions

Won't starting from scratch slow everything down?

It takes some extra work up front, but it kills off bad spending fast. Other states save 10 to 15 percent this way. We will use online tools to keep it quick.

How do we keep cuts from hurting schools, water, or fire crews?

We judge by results first. Good programs get protected. The rainy-day fund gives breathing room. Regular folks on the team make sure rural and everyday needs come first.

What if money keeps coming up short?

This forces smart choices early: move from waste to must-haves. Transparency builds trust, so if we need small tweaks elsewhere, people understand why.

Can you really make agencies do this?

Yes. My order runs the agencies I control. If they drag their feet, we make it public. Laws will add stronger rules later.

Does this cost extra money?

Almost nothing. Use the current website and staff. The citizen team is volunteers. Savings pay for any small fixes quickly.

How will we know if the reforms are actually saving money and improving services?

Through the online tracker and yearly report card posted on Transparent Idaho. We will measure savings, program improvements, and department performance. Citizen tips and independent audits will confirm the numbers.

What if an agency claims their program is essential but the data shows low results?

The process is about results, not just claims. The citizen team and public posting give everyone a voice. We will prioritize proven programs and reallocate from ones that are not delivering for Idahoans.

How does this connect to the other reforms like contracts?

It works hand-in-hand. Better budget decisions mean less waste in contracts and grants. Transparency and audits from the contracts reform help spot budget leaks early. Together they ensure money reaches the ground level.

What about impacts on higher education or rural services?

Higher ed and rural programs will be judged on clear results, like enrollment outcomes or community impact. The team will include voices from those areas to protect what works and fix what does not, avoiding blanket cuts.

What if federal funds or mandates affect the budget?

Federal dollars come with rules that we follow first. This reform focuses on state general fund spending but requires full transparency on how federal money is used, so we avoid waste and align priorities.