NOVA Idaho, a Boise-based citizen advocacy group, has released a new Affordability Index scoring Idaho legislators on their record of advancing policies that impact the cost of living. NOVA Idaho began with a simple idea: neighbors coming together to demand greater accountability from their government. What started as a local conversation has grown into a statewide effort to shine a light on the real affordability challenges facing Idahoans.

 

The 2026 Idaho legislative session made those challenges harder to ignore. Lawmakers enacted sweeping funding cuts following five consecutive years of tax reductions and alignment with the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The result: fewer resources, reduced services, and limited focus on the rising costs confronting Idaho families.

 

In response, NOVA Idaho developed the Affordability Index to track how legislators voted on policies that directly affect Idahoans ability to make ends meet. Of the more than 800 bills introduced this session, just 24 addressed affordability - and not all in ways that improve it.

 

Affordability Scores

(The higher the score, the more consistently a legislator supported policies that improve affordability.

• 15 of 105 legislators scored 80% or higher

• 61 of 105 legislators scored 50% or lower

 

Find your legislator

 

How Do Your Legislators Rank on the Affordability Index?

 

Key Policy Areas Evaluated

1. Across-the-Board Cuts Nearly every state agency absorbed 3–4% budget reductions to offset lost revenue— resulting in staffing cuts, stagnant wages, and reduced public services.

2. Healthcare Cuts to programs serving vulnerable populations, combined with new work requirements and frequent eligibility reviews, are expected to reduce access to care and increase out-of-pocket costs.

3. Education Higher education absorbed deeper cuts to shield K–12, limiting opportunities for students to achieve long-term economic stability.

4. Housing While modest zoning reforms may increase housing supply over time, they do little to address immediate affordability pressures.

5. Childcare No meaningful action was taken to reduce the high cost of childcare, leaving working families without relief.

6. Food Access Minimal efforts were made to improve access to food, while added administrative hurdles may make it harder for families to receive assistance.

 

NOVA Idaho is releasing this data for one reason: accountability. This is an election year. The May primary is just weeks away. Voters now have clear, objective information about who is working to lower costs—and who is not. Idaho families are paying more for housing, healthcare, food, and childcare. When elected officials fail to address these pressures - or make them worse - voters have the power to respond. If your elected officials aren't making your life more affordable, it may be time for a change.