Lack of Transparency and Accountability

Many of Idaho's incentive programs lack robust transparency measures or mechanisms to hold companies accountable for promised benefits. This aligns with Mercatus findings that the structure of these programs often obscures their true costs and benefits from taxpayers. The research shows that most subsidy deals are developed in secret, away from public scrutiny, leading to more excessive subsidies and worse deals for taxpayers[20].

Mercatus studies highlight that when subsidy details are hidden, it becomes nearly impossible for voters and policymakers to make informed decisions about the value of these programs. This lack of transparency also makes it difficult to hold companies accountable for job creation promises or other commitments made in exchange for subsidies[21].

Idaho's economic development practices appear to suffer from these same transparency and accountability issues. Without clear, publicly available information about the costs and benefits of subsidy programs, Idaho taxpayers and policymakers cannot make informed decisions about the value of these incentives. This lack of transparency may be enabling the continuation of ineffective and potentially harmful economic development practices.