Accountability
Real consequences for waste fraud and corruption no more slaps on the wrist
I am tired of seeing our tax dollars wasted or stolen with little real fallout. As governor I will make sure bad actors face consequences. No more excuses. No more quiet settlements. We catch problems through audits transparency and citizen task forces then we act on them hard and in the open. The Attorney General already handles investigations and prosecutions in Idaho. But too often agencies slow walk cooperation or cases drag on without public updates. This plan changes that. We partner closely direct full cooperation and keep you informed every step.
The Problem
When waste, fraud, or poor performance is found, action is too slow or too quiet. Investigations drag on for years. Agencies stonewall requests. Cases often settle privately with no public explanation or real consequences. This lets problems continue, erodes trust, and makes Idahoans feel government protects itself instead of protecting their money and services.
What I'll Do Day One as Governor
Sign an executive order to strengthen accountability using existing authority. Right away:
Partner with the Attorney General to require full agency cooperation in investigations of waste, fraud, or abuse.
Mandate monthly public town halls to update Idahoans on major cases, findings, and actions taken.
Direct agencies to flag potential issues from audits, task forces, and public tips for immediate review and referral to the Attorney General.
Launch pilots in three to five agencies to test faster referral processes and public updates, with results posted on Transparent Idaho in ninety days.
Use existing resources to support Attorney General investigations and public communication (no new spending).
These steps use existing authority and tools. We make accountability happen now not after scandals blow up. This uses powers I already have under executive oversight of state agencies and existing law enforcement authority. No new laws needed first.
How This Is Different From Now
Right now, investigations are slow, agencies resist cooperation, and outcomes are often kept quiet. There is no regular public update on progress or consequences. My way partners with the Attorney General for faster action, requires monthly public town halls, and ensures issues from audits and task forces get immediate attention. It enforces existing laws more effectively, makes accountability visible, and ensures real consequences instead of quiet settlements.
What I'll Push the Legislature For
Easy laws to make it permanent:
Require agency cooperation in Attorney General investigations of waste, fraud, or abuse.
Mandate monthly public updates on major cases and outcomes.
Strengthen whistleblower protections and anonymous tip processes.
Authorize tougher penalties for repeated violations and stonewalling.
Enforcement uses existing Attorney General and agency resources.
How We'll Check It Works
We will keep it honest with:
Public postings on the Governor's site and Transparent Idaho showing case updates, town hall summaries, and actions taken.
Regular audits of agency cooperation and investigation progress.
Citizens Task Force to review trends, take public input on accountability, and recommend improvements.
Yearly report on cases referred, resolutions, penalties applied, and public trust metrics.
Everything open for anyone to look at and ask about.
How This Connects to Other Reforms
Accountability is the enforcement layer for the entire plan. It partners with the Attorney General to act on findings from audits, task forces, and tips in budgets, contracts, grants, workforce, permitting, and housing projects. Transparency makes case updates and outcomes visible to everyone. Citizens Task Force gathers input on accountability gaps. The three housing reforms, mental health response, veteran transition, rural broadband, and other crisis fixes benefit from stronger enforcement of waste and abuse rules. This reform ensures every other one has real consequences and results.
What I Will Push the Legislature For
Stronger laws with tougher penalties for corruption, waste and fraud in state government including mandatory reporting whistleblower protections and faster prosecution timelines.
More resources for the Attorney General office to handle cases efficiently like extra investigators or prosecutors focused on public corruption.
Rules requiring public updates on ongoing investigations when they involve taxpayer money so nothing stays hidden.
How This Differs from What's Happening Today
Today's accountability in Idaho is reactive and inconsistent.
Current setup: The Attorney General investigates and prosecutes fraud, corruption and waste (for example through the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit or general cases). Agencies cooperate when required but there is no routine governor directive for full immediate support. Town halls or public updates happen occasionally, not monthly or structured. Prosecutions occur but resources can be limited, cases sometimes settle quietly and public awareness is low unless media picks it up. Recent examples show fraud in programs gets caught but consequences vary and fixes are not always tracked publicly.
My approach: Proactive and public from day one. The governor directs full agency cooperation in investigations so nothing gets buried. Monthly town halls keep everyone updated honestly with progress roadblocks and next steps. Findings from task forces audits and tips feed directly into AG actions. We push for stronger laws and resources through legislation. This creates real consequences with citizen involvement and constant sunlight instead of waiting for scandals to force action.
In short: Today's system waits for problems to surface then handles them quietly. This plan shines a light monthly, enforces cooperation and demands real penalties so waste stops because people know they will be held accountable.
How We Will Verify and Enforce Accountability
All town hall updates, progress reports, investigation, summaries and key findings will be posted on the official Governor's website for permanent public access. Recordings, summaries and highlights stay archived there so anyone can review them anytime. Relevant financial or investigative data will link to Transparent Idaho where appropriate.
Citizens Task Forces track progress on their recommendations and call out if agencies drag feet.
Anonymous tips feed investigations directly. Serious cases get public attention through town halls.
Grok can help summarize investigation updates or flag patterns in public reports for town hall prep.
Answers to Common Questions
Why partner with the AG instead of creating new offices?
The AG already has the tools and authority for prosecutions. We strengthen that partnership with governor direction and more resources not add bureaucracy.
How will monthly town halls work?
Mix of in person around the state and virtual. Short honest updates and answers to the questions from the public. We talk about progress roadblocks and what is next. All archived on the official Governor's website.
What if investigations hit roadblocks?
We make them public in town halls. Pressure from citizen task forces and media helps push through. Legislation gives stronger tools.
Won't this politicize investigations?
No. The Attorney General partnership keeps investigations independent. Public updates and reporting ensure transparency, not control.
Cost to taxpayers?
Minimal. Town halls use existing venues or online. AG resources come from pushing legislation. Savings from reduced waste and fraud cover it.
How does this connect to audits?
Audits identify waste and abuse. Accountability ensures findings lead to investigations and real consequences.
How does this connect to transparency?
Transparency posts case updates and outcomes so citizens can see action being taken.
How does this connect to Citizens Task Force?
Task force tips and recommendations trigger accountability reviews and Attorney General referrals.
How does this connect to budget reform?
Accountability enforces reallocations and prevents agencies from hiding waste in budgets.
What about rural or small agency issues?
The process is statewide. Citizens Task Force includes rural voices to ensure local concerns get attention.
How will we know if accountability is improving?
Public reports on Transparent Idaho will track cases resolved, penalties applied, and public trust levels.
What if political connections protect bad actors?
All findings and actions are public. The Attorney General partnership ensures independent prosecution regardless of connections.