Governor's office seeks funds to restore emergency fund, explores constituent‑management platform

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee reviewed the Executive Office of the Governor budget on Feb. 18, 2025. The governor's office proposed restoring cash to the governor's emergency fund with a $1.35 million one‑time transfer from the general fund, requested $250,000 one‑time to implement objectives tied to the federal 'America 250' initiative, and sought $45,000 one‑time for IT replacement items.

Why it matters: The governor's emergency fund has authority for $2 million in spending but the cash balance had fallen to around $650,000; the requested transfer would restore the cash balance to the appropriated base so the governor can use the appropriation if an emergency arises. Committee members also questioned subscriptions and implementation costs related to a constituent services platform previously described in the budget as "Salesforce."

Key proposals and agency rationale Budget analyst Christopher LaHozet told the committee that the emergency fund "has a base appropriation of $2,000,000 in spending authority" and that expenditures in fiscal 2023 and 2024 reduced the cash balance to approximately $650,000. The governor's proposed transfer of $1,350,000 would bring the fund's cash to the legislated appropriation level.

The governor's office proposed $250,000 in one‑time general‑fund support to implement the White House task force objectives for America's 250th anniversary (an initiative created by Presidential Executive Order 14189). Mr. LaHozet said the governor's office would coordinate with existing Idaho advisory councils and prepare Idaho participation in national activities.

Constituent‑management platform and transparency questions The budget book referenced a constituent services management system and used the word "Salesforce" in explanatory text. DFM Administrator Lori Wolf clarified that the appropriation was for a constituent‑management platform but the governor's office had found Salesforce cost‑prohibitive and was exploring other, less‑expensive options. "To date, we have not spent, or the governor's office has not spent any of that funding," Wolf said.

Legislators pressed for more transactional detail on transfers and reimbursements. Several members requested itemized reports on (1) emergency‑fund and CARES/CARES‑Act related expenditures, (2) in‑state charter and travel expenses tied to the office, and (3) personnel reimbursements from other agencies to the governor's office. Mr. LaHozet and DFM staff said they would provide spreadsheets and expenditure reports to the committee.

Statutory and program context Analysts explained that the governor's emergency fund may be used under the conditions listed in "sections 50 seven‑sixteen oh 1 of Idaho code," and that the Governor's Emergency Program also administered CARES‑Act federal funds when those authorities were active. Committee members asked whether the emergency fund transfers were routine or related to specific reimbursable activities such as the Moscow murder investigation and a program called Esto Perpetua; analysts said those items had been charged to the fund in prior years.

Follow‑up and outstanding items Committee members requested: itemized Excel spreadsheets showing how $1.35 million emergency fund monies were spent historically, detailed lists of IT hardware costs tied to the $45,000 request, itemized charter flight and in‑state travel expenditures in FY24, and clarification of interagency payroll reimbursements. DFM committed to providing requested reports and said the 10P personnel‑reimbursement process is longstanding and carried into the state's newer LUMA accounting system.

Ending DFM Administrator Wolf and analysts thanked the committee; the hearing moved on to the Idaho State Tax Commission after DFM concluded its presentation.