By Reps. Darrell Bolz and Pat Takasugi (District 10) and Reps. Steven Thayn and Carlost Bilbao (District 12)

Recently, an editorial appeared in another newspaper that carried this headline: "No federal funds yet, but plan for them anyway." The editorial suggests that the Legislature should think proactively and develop a strategy to invest the dollars wisely - areas that "will foster long-term economic strategy."

We appreciate those constructive thoughts. But there are problems with this plan, such as:

How much stimulus money will Idaho receive?

When will that money become available?

What conditions will be attached to the federal funds?

A lot of questions; no answers

Unfortunately, there are no answers to any of these questions. The Legislature can't plan for something that isn't there, or might never be there. We read conflicting reports about the stimulus package. President Obama says it's a lifeline for a struggling economy, but acknowledges that it isn't perfect and might work the way it's intended. Some analysts say the stimulus package won't do much for states, because a relatively small amount is designated for infrastructure projects - which, potentially, can stimulate the economy.

We don't pretend to be experts on the federal legislation. For now, at least, we yield to the four members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation, who all voted "no" to the stimulus package. The delegation is telling us that the package will do little, if anything, to reverse the downturn in the economy and the ones who will be paying for it are our children and grandchildren.

Under these circumstances, it would be foolish for the Legislature to plan the state budget around the stimulus package. The Legislature - and Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee particularly - needs to focus on what's available today and set budgets accordingly.

The philosophical issue

There is some speculation that the Idaho Legislature, which is mostly Republican, really doesn't want the federal money. After all, not a single Republican in the U.S. House voted for the stimulus bill and only a few Republicans supported it in the Senate.

Generally, we agree with the viewpoint expressed by Republicans and are leery of the notion that we can spend our way out of the economic doldrums. Our fear is that our children and grandchildren will end up paying the bill. We are skeptical that the politicians, government officials and economists who helped guide us in this mess will come up with the magic formula to get us out.

That said, we're notof the mind to turn away money if it comes available. If there is one-time money that could go into education, our roads or perhaps paying off the GARVEE debt, then it certainly can be put to go use.

But in our world, we can't be dealing with a lot of "ifs." We can only count on what we have now - and not what we "might have" sometime into the future. Doing anything else would be a gross disservice to Idaho.