Here's a cheer for fiscal health

Our roads and bridges need many millions of dollars of work.

There’s a Medicaid gap threatening our working poor that we have a moral responsibility to close.

And as much money as we’re putting into education, there’s still abundant room for smart investment, particularly at the pre-school level to ensure our kids are fundamentally prepared.

But as a state, our fiscal conservatism is pure gold. If you don’t believe it, go ask Illinois or 10 other states that, as of early this week, were struggling to adopt a budget.

In the land of Lincoln, financial disaster reigns. It could become the first state to earn a junk credit rating from Moody’s. Illinois has $15 billion in unpaid bills and owes $251 billion to public employees when they retire. The lottery might have to be suspended there because the state would be unable to pay winners. It’s so bad in Illinois, even the World Series champion Chicago Cubs are battling a losing record.

Idaho, though, is on a roll. As goofy as some of its politicians might be, they keep our budget balanced. Don’t think our governor, legislators and other officials deserve credit? Think again.

In Idaho, our property taxes are low — unlike Illinois, where skyrocketing taxes are doing more to chase away businesses and residents than fill empty government coffers. We probably don’t spend as much as some citizens would like on services they’re most passionate about, but unlike Illinois, at least our population is steadily increasing.

That population isn’t doing too badly, either.

Just a week ago, the state announced that Idaho led the nation in first quarter personal income growth — 1.6 percent. Four other states posted 1.3 percent personal income growth, tying for second place. Nationwide, personal income increased 1 percent in the first quarter of 2017.

Granted, with wages lower than the national average, Idaho should be in contention for a higher income growth rate. But Idaho also has a lower cost of living than many other states, so income disparities are at least somewhat mitigated.

Bottom line is that Idaho not only has a balanced budget, but a healthy one, with enough surplus that lawmakers are on a three-year path of increasing education funding.

Add to the equation that many Idahoans are making more money, which strengthens both the economy and the state’s tax base, and there’s reason to celebrate being fiscally responsible.