What’s in a Word? How Idaho Economists View the Recovery

We’re on a mission to find out from economists, business owners, workers and everyone in between what the words Recession and Recovery mean in Idaho.  Here’s what three economists had to say.

State of Idaho

“It’s almost like economists who are focusing on this narrow view of what constitutes a recession have almost made themselves irrelevant.  Most people don’t feel like we’re recovering.”
– Mike Ferguson, Idaho’s former chief economist

Boise State University

“We’re in a recession.  In the popular use of the term, we’re still in recession, even though the economy isn’t in decline – we’re still in recession, we’re not back to where we were before.” 
– Don Holley, Boise State University Economics Professor

Kevin Quinn / Spokesman Review

“For the average person, it’s hard to tell the difference between the recession and the recovery because it’s not having that much impact on wages and salaries, their ability to find jobs and their wealth.”
– Kathryn Tacke, Regional Economist, Idaho Department of Labor

Tell us what Recession and Recovery mean to you.