Macomber wants to ax federal funding

In her profile of the House District 4 race between incumbent Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Arthur Macomber, Betsy Russell/SR writes:

(Challenger Arthur) Macomber says if elected, his top priority will be to eliminate the 36 percent of total state spending that comes from federal funds. “There has to be a period of time when we grow our economy to a point where we can at least get to where we are today with 100 percent of our budget being Idaho money,” he said, adding, “It’d be of course better if we could have a surplus.” Asked if that wouldn’t leave Idahoans still paying federal taxes but not getting anything back, Macomber said, “The money’s not really there. It’s fake money. It doesn’t exist. It’s debt for our grandkids.” He added, “The idea that there’s present-day value to the money they’re giving us instead of future-day debt is a misapprehension.” More here.

DFO: Idaho would be devastated if it lost the 36% of total state spending that comes from federal funds. Thoughts?