After Senate Republicans voted to pass SB 1331, imposing a new 1% across-the-board cut this year on most state agencies on top of last year’s 3% holdbacks and setting up an ongoing, permanent 5% cut to most state agencies starting next year, Senate Democratic leaders issued the following statements:
Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow said:
“Across-the-board cuts like this punish Idaho communities and hide the real bill until later. These cuts don’t eliminate costs, they dump them onto county budgets, property taxpayers, law enforcement, emergency rooms, and courts.
“Make no mistake about why this is happening. Republicans have spent years pushing repeated income tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefited the wealthiest Idahoans, and they just doubled down with the most recent federal tax conformity decision that further reduced state revenue. They shrank the revenue base again and again, with no long-term plan to protect schools, public safety, or health care.
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Janie Ward-Engelking said:
“When we shortchange health and human services, we undercut Idaho’s crisis response and put suicide prevention, foster care, and mental health services for children and families at risk. When we cut proven reentry and rehabilitation efforts, we increase the odds people cycle back into prison, driving up corrections costs and making our communities less safe.
“The ripple effects hit everywhere. Smaller budgets mean fewer staff, slower services, delayed inspections, and less oversight. That creates backlogs, increases risk, and drives up long-term costs, from environmental cleanup to emergency response, while creating bottlenecks for workers, businesses, and communities.”
Assistant Senate Democratic Leader James Ruchti said:
“A responsible budget doesn’t save pennies today only to spend millions tomorrow. Idaho is growing, and our needs are growing with it. Senate Democrats oppose these reckless, blunt cuts and will keep fighting for a budget that is targeted, honest, and responsible, one that protects services and respects taxpayers.”
###
Recent Comments