OPINION: Idaho’s government embraces penny-wise, pound-foolish budgeting
Those in charge of Idaho’s executive and legislative branches have a difficult time seeing beyond the end of their collective noses when it comes to funding programs important to Idahoans. All we have heard from the governor and the penny-pinching legislative leadership is “cut, cut, cut.” When times are tough, cuts may be needed to make ends meet. But, if you listen to the president and our governor, times are not tough. Both speak of how we are doing very well under their stewardship. Gov. Little continually touts Idaho’s strong and growing economy. In December, he proclaimed, “Idaho is No. 1 nationally for wage growth — proving our economy is strong and moving forward!”
One might wonder then, why we are in such a budget-cutting frenzy. It might be partly because he approved $300 million in tax cuts that he knew were ill-advised. Or, that he greenlighted the $50 million tax holiday for primarily well-heeled folks who can already afford to send their kids to religious schools. Delaying the effective date of that tax giveaway until next year would be an easy fix to the $40 million budget deficit for this year. A graduated tax increase would be a long-term fix.
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