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LSO introduces impact‑review team and new analysts to support JFAC workgroups
Summary
Legislative Services Office Deputy Chief Paul Headley introduced five new impact‑review and research staff and LSO budget analysts who will support JFAC work groups with data, IT analysis, mapping and evidence reviews.
Paul Headley, deputy chief with the Legislative Services Office, introduced the committee to a new impact‑review team and research fellows who will support analysts during the session.
Why it matters: JFAC will rely on LSO analysts and the new impact‑review team for evidence, mapping, IT analysis and short research products that staff said will speed committee review of program outcomes and return on investment.
New LSO resources Headley named five staff who will work with the committee: Casey Hartwig (impact review; background in law and public‑school issues), Alex Penny (audit/evaluation experience from the West Virginia Legislature), Alex Hatfield (IT analysis and GIS support), Ellen Upton (policy fellow with a biomedical science Ph.D.), and a second McClure Center fellow (given name in transcript as Kalyn; background described as mechanical engineering Ph.D. from Montana State University). Headley said the team can produce answers ranging from brief emailed responses to one‑ or two‑page research briefs.
Analyst team overview Keith Bybee also introduced LSO budget analysts who will staff work groups and agency clusters, including Jared Tetreault (deputy manager), Janet Jessup (natural resources and appropriations bill coordination), Frances Lippitt (capital budget and CEC), Alex Williamson (health and welfare), Brooke Dupree (transportation, commerce, labor) and new analysts covering secondary education, public safety and statewide elected officials. Bybee asked members to engage their assigned analysts early so staff can begin agency follow‑ups.
Performance and evidence focus Headley said the team’s goal is to provide evidence about program outcomes and to help members evaluate whether proposed projects have worked in Idaho or other states. “As I’ve looked at performance measures, performance budgeting, recently and over the years, there’s 1 word or 1 theme that kinda continues to rise to the top and that’s evidence,” Headley said.
