The Cost of Governance: Where Does It End?

Examining Pay Hikes, Tax Burdens, and the Growing Disconnect Between Government and Taxpayers

The current debate in Congress over the omnibus spending bill serves as yet another reminder of the disconnect between Washington, D.C., and the American taxpayer. We are told that if this bill does not pass, the federal government will shut down—a familiar refrain designed to pressure legislators and the public alike. But buried within this massive bill is a provision that raises eyebrows: a 40% pay increase for members of Congress. This begs the question, is this really about keeping the government running, or is it about enriching those in power?

Here in Idaho, we’ve seen similar discussions around pay increases for elected officials. Originally, a proposal was floated by Idaho House and Senate leadership to raise legislative pay by 43%, though that number has since been reduced to 22%. While this reduction might seem more reasonable on the surface, it still represents a significant increase at a time when Idahoans are grappling with rising costs of living and inflation.

At a recent legislative luncheon with local judges and an Idaho Supreme Court Clerk, the conversation initially focused on pressing legal and administrative challenges. However, it soon shifted to the topic of compensation. The attendees were advocating for a significant pay increase—about 30%, or roughly $43,000 annually. This request is part of a concerning trend. If granted, it’s only a matter of time before the executive branch also demands a substantial pay raise. From there, where does it stop? Will government departments, agencies, and even public institutions like schools follow suit? The potential ripple effect is unsettling.

This raises an important question: Where is the average citizen's pay raise? There is a stark contrast between the private sector and government. In the private sector, businesses must produce valuable goods or services to generate the revenue necessary to offer higher wages. Employees in the private sector provide value to the business, which in turn allows the company to compensate them more generously. However, higher taxes on businesses hinder their ability to pay employees higher wages, as they are forced to absorb these additional costs. To offset the financial strain, businesses often increase the prices of their goods and services. In contrast, government has the unique ability to extract money from individuals and businesses without creating anything of intrinsic value. Through its monopoly on the use of force, government can seize resources from the productive sector to fund itself, further highlighting the imbalance between public sector compensation and the realities faced by the average citizen.

The taxpayers are footing the bill for these proposed increases. That is why I have signed onto a Concurrent Resolution rejecting the proposed legislative pay increase, and I would encourage my fellow legislators to do the same. It’s not just about keeping our own compensation in check; it’s about addressing the broader issue of government spending and prioritizing the needs of the people who fund it all. This is why repealing the grocery tax is so important to me. Every dollar of government spending comes from the hard-earned money of Idaho families and businesses, and it's time we put more of that money back into their pockets.

Opponents of the grocery tax repeal often point to the grocery tax credit as a solution, arguing that it offsets the financial burden on families. But here’s the truth: the grocery tax credit didn’t even start as a grocery tax credit. It originated as an income tax credit, and it wasn’t until 2008 that the language in state statute was amended to include groceries (see HB 588). What began as a mechanism for providing relief from income taxes has morphed into a justification for keeping an unnecessary and burdensome tax in place.

Idahoans deserve better. Instead of nickel-and-diming families while raising salaries for government officials, we need to take a stand for fiscal responsibility and fairness. Rejecting pay increases, repealing the grocery tax, and holding government accountable for its spending are steps we can and must take. The question we should all be asking is simple: who is the government working for, its own enrichment or the people it serves?