Exploring the policies and politics that help or stand in the way of job creation.
A day after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act, let’s take a look at the percentage of Idahoans who are uninsured, and how Idaho’s rate compares to other states.
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down its most anticipated decision since Bush v. Gore yesterday, when it upheld the central provisions of the Affordable Care Act. While there’s wisdom in waiting for the dust to settle before issuing predictions about just how this will affect Idaho, it’s clear the ruling has implications for the state.Ā […]
News outlets across the country are gearing up for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.Ā That decision is expected to come down at 8:15 tomorrow morning, mountain time.Ā Our mothership, NPR, has planned a robust lineup of coverage.Ā Boise State Public Radio’s news team will be hard at work […]
Every state, including Idaho, offers tax breaks, grants or subsidies to businesses in hopes of spurring economic development. But the states vary widely in terms of what they do when a company doesnāt create as many jobs as it agreed to, or otherwise follow through with its end of the incentive bargain. According to the […]
Last month, Transform SolarĀ announced that it was closingĀ and laying off about 250 people at its facility in Nampa. As StateImpact reported, the manufacturer of high-tech solar cells, had receivedĀ $1.68 million in workforce training grantsĀ from the state of Idaho — money that the company will not have to pay back. It’s not the first time that’s […]
Anticipation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the federal health care law is mounting with talk of a decision early next week. Ā Here in Idaho, business leaders say the lack of a state-run health insurance exchange is a main point of concern. Legislators didnāt establish a state-run exchange last session, despite pressure from the Idaho […]
An expansion of Idaho’s workforce training program has been approved by the Workforce Development Council. As long as Idaho’s unemployment rate stays above 7 percent, businesses will be able to apply for training grants to replace retiring employees.Ā Last month, Idaho’s unemployment rate was 7.8 percent. Before this change, businesses were only eligible for the […]
Idaho is faring better than many states when it comes to funding its public employee pension and retiree health care systems. A Pew Center on the States study on the widening gap between states’ assets and their obligation to fund pension systems ranks Idaho in the “needs improvement” and “solid performer” categories.Ā Most states — […]
Starting July 1, more low-income parents with young children will be eligible for food assistance. The supplemental nutrition program Women, Infants and Children, or WIC provides certain foods to pregnant or breastfeeding moms and families with children under age five. Tom Shanahan with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the eligibility change is […]
Mitt Romney laid out his health care plan this morning, as the Supreme Court nears a decision on the constitutionality of the federal health care law.Ā It’s the first time Romney has discussed the specifics of his proposals since a speech in Michigan last year, the Los Angeles Times says. The Washington Post sums up […]
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