It took a little extra time, but the Statesman got comment Tuesday from Idaho Rep. Raúl Labrador on the $4 trillion federal budget proposal President Trump released last week.

After Labrador made his first public appearance as a candidate for governor Tuesday, his office responded to the Statesman’s request for a reaction to the budget, to go with those sent out last week by Idaho’s other members of Congress.

Just like Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson, Labrador was circumspect in his appraisal and hinted at a major reworking when Congress gets to work on revisions.

Labrador condemned the Obama administration for weak economic growth following the Great Recession — GDP growth was torpid, although other economic indicators fared better. Labrador then credited Trump with working to reduce the national debt and “shrink the size of government,” which he said would spark private-sector growth and create jobs.

"Much work remains to be done as Congress begins the process of writing a budget,” Labrador said, vowing to “make sure that all spending decisions are fair and equitable.”