Idaho - Public finance

Idaho's annual budget, prepared by the Division of Financial Management, is submitted by the governor to the legislature for amendment and approval. The fiscal year runs from 1 July to 30 June. The state constitution requires that the legislature pass a balanced budget, and the governor, as the chief budget officer, has regularly assured that expenditures do not exceed revenues. This became more difficult as revenues, which grew 5.2% and 4.2% in 2000 and 2001, respectively, fell in 2002 to $1.7 billion from $1.99 billion in 2001, and then remained weak, at $1.77 billion, in 2003. The beginning balance for the general fund in 2000/01 was $285 million. By 2003/04, the beginning balance had dropped to 0, and according to the projected budget for the General Fund, will only be $1 million in 2004/05 including $36 million in Idaho's Budget Stabilization Fund. Also included is additional revenue from a hike in the state sales tax rate from 5% to 6.5% effective 1 May 2003 (generating increased revenues estimated at $18.2 million in 2002/03, and $240.3 million in 2003/04) and an increase in the cigarette tax from 28¢ to 62¢ a pack for 2003/04 (generating an estimated additional $28.7 million in revenues) In 2002, cuts in planned expenditures made after the budget had been passed by the legislature totaled $64.1 million, with no budget sectors exempt from cuts. Budget cuts made after the 2002/03 budget had been passed totaled $19.5 million, including a 1.1% reduction in state Medicaid funding (which, counting just state spending, grew 11.1% in 2001/02 and 11.4% in 2002/03, and is projected to grow 3.2% in 2003/04), plus 3.5% cuts across most other state agencies, exempting only most education budgets (although Idaho State University is reported to have set aside 4.5% of its 2002/03 budget which was already 10% lower than the year before).

General fund revenues are projected to grow 4.1% in 2003/04, to $1.85 billion, still below 2000/01 levels. In 2002/03, estimated general fund expenditures were $1.95 billion. Of total expenditures, 64.7% was allocated to education, 19% to health and human services; 9.2% to corrections and public safety, 3.8% for general government operations, 2% for natural resources, and 1% for economic development.

The following table from the US Census Bureau contains information on revenues, expenditures, indebtedness, and cash/securities for 2001.