Rep. Brian Cronin (D-Boise) explaining the 2012 IJOBS package.
Democratic lawmakers rolled out their plan to create jobs this morning. It’s dubbed IJOBS 2.0 and is made up of six bills ranging from tax credits to an accountability measure.
Here’s the list from Spokesman Review reporter and Eye on Boiseblogger Betsy Russell:
HB 435, the “Corporate Tax Incentive and Accountability Act,” would require public disclosure of details of tax incentives directed to corporations, including purpose, amount, and how many jobs were created each year.
The “Value-Added Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Act” would explore granting a 50 percent tax credit for every dollar an Idaho farmer or rancher invests in a state-of-the-art agricultural processing venture or majority owned farmer cooperative. Continue Reading →
Gov. Otter delivered his State of the State speech at the Capitol earlier this month.
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter is not alone among governors in pushing for tax cuts as states’ budget crunches begin to ease. This story on NPR’s Morning Edition highlighted Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s push for reductions in the state’s tax on food and the estate tax. According to the story, that plan is drawing criticism from the state’s employees association, since state workers haven’t seen raises in years.
Here in Idaho, Gov. Otter last week said he might reverse course on his earlier view that the state should make $45 million in tax cuts, but provide $41 million in one-time, merit-based bonuses for state employees only if revenue meets projections. Continue Reading →
Who writes the most paychecks in your county — a government entity or a private company? The answer might surprise you. Take a look at our interactive map to see who has the largest workforce in your county. Continue reading →
Rep. Phil Hart (R- Athol) wants gold and silver coin to be an alternative to paper money, formally known as Federal Reserve Notes. Hart, who is currently being sued by the federal government for unpaid taxes, wants gold and silver currency exempt from tax. He’s titled the bill the ‘Idaho Constitutional Money Act of 2012’.
Here’s the statement of purpose for Hart’s House Bill 430:
[legislator leg_id=IDL000063 align=right]
This legislation provides for the use of gold and silver coin as legal tender in the state of Idaho as an alternative to the Federal Reserve Notes that currently circulate as our only currency. The legislation allows for the legal and voluntary use of such gold and silver coins should the parties of a transaction agree that their business shall be handled in such manner. The legislation identifies Article I, section 10, clause 1 of the United State Constitution as established authority for a state to conduct business in such a manner.
The legislation also exempts gold and silver coins that have been declared to be legal tender by the laws of the United State from being subject to taxation due to their use or as a result of their ownership.
A similar measure failed to make it out of committee last session. Rep. Hart’s version is heading for second reading in the House. You can read the full bill text here.
Here’s a look at the five stories getting the most clicks, comments and shares at StateImpact Idaho this week. In case you missed anything, we bundled them in one tidy package.
Northwest States Coping with Government Employee Layoffs: Across the Northwest, government agencies and schools have laid off thousands of workers. Just like corporate downsizing, those public sector job losses have a human and an economic impact. This story is a collaboration between reporters in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
A Young Refugee Searches for a Place in Idaho’s Reshaped Economy: In the last few years, more than 4,000 refugees have found their way to Idaho. They’ve come from Africa, and from East and South Asia. Most came to Boise. For years, the city’s strong economy, good quality affordable housing and supportive community created an especially favorable environment for refugee resettlement. Now, the recession has shifted that picture. Continue Reading →
Idaho ranks 21st among states with a business friendly tax climate.
The Tax Foundation’s annual index of state business climate came out this week. It ranks Idaho’s business tax climate 21st, up a spot from last year. All of Idaho’s neighboring states ranked higher. Montana ranks 8th, Wyoming ranks 1st, Nevada ranks 3rd and Utah ranks 10th. So we started asking, what does this index mean?
Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry president Alex LaBeau says states tend to highlight these rankings when they’re ranked high and downplay them when they rank low. “Every ranking is somewhat subjective to the variables that the study considers,” LaBeau says. “Without further understanding of those variables the ranking lacks any real value.”
Nowela Virginie and her daughters often visit social worker Marcia Munden at Catholic Charities of Idaho.
In the last few years, more than 4,000 refugees have found their way to Idaho. They’ve come from Africa, and from East and South Asia. Most came to Boise. For years, the city’s strong economy, good quality affordable housing and supportive community created an especially favorable environment for refugee resettlement. Now, the recession has shifted that picture.
Tomorrow's story centers on Nowela Virginie, who came to Boise three years ago after spending much of her life in a refugee camp in Tanzania.
Idaho residents know well the reversal of fortune the state has seen since the start of the recession. The state, which not so long ago had the fastest growing economy in the nation, has been hit hard. In a broadcast story tomorrow, we’ll look at how Idaho’s economic troubles have affected the state’s refugee population, focusing in on a particular family.
First, a little background. How many refugees are resettled in Idaho each year? Here are the numbers, according the the Idaho Office for Refugees, which has statewide responsibility for providing assistance and services for refugees. Continue Reading →
According to the Tax Foundation’s annual report on state business tax climate, Idaho ranks in the middle of the pack. The Foundation looks at corporate, individual income, sales, property and unemployment insurance tax rates to compare states. You can read more about the methodology here.
Click to enlarge / The Tax Foundation
Idaho ranks 21st among states with a business friendly tax climate.
Do you read the Idaho Statesman online or in print? We’re pleased to announce a developing partnership between the Statesman’s Business Insider and StateImpact Idaho. For now, some of our work will be featured in the weekly magazine, which arrives on doorsteps each Wednesday.
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Molly Messick's recent story about the rising cost of farmland is featured on page 12 of this week's Insider
Here’s is what the Idaho Statesman’s business editor David Staats wrote about the collaboration: Continue Reading →
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