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March 14, 2012

Otter’s Plan To Stimulate Idaho’s Tech Economy Becomes Law

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has signed into law his plan to kick-start collaboration between university researchers and private industry. Otter’s IGEM, the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission, spends $5 million to spur local innovation through research. The plan sets aside $1 million in Idaho Department of Commerce grants for start-up businesses, $2 million for the Center […]

March 9, 2012

Medicaid Funding Includes Reversal Of Key Cuts

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee this morning voted in support of a $1.9 billion Medicaid budget. That appropriation includes $1.5 million to reverse two key Medicaid cuts approved last year. It will cost $900,000 to rectify the dual choice problem, according to Division of Medicaid estimates. Reinstating preventative and restorative dental services for adults who are […]

March 1, 2012

ProPublica Details GOP Candidates’ Ideas To Fix The Housing Market

Over the last few years, Idaho has consistently had one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. The rate is trending down, and the number of bank-owned and short-sale properties are selling faster than they were back in 2009. Still, as ProPublica reports, government plans to fix the housing mess have fallen short. ProPublica […]

February 29, 2012

A Plan In The Works To Reverse Key Medicaid Cuts

Draft legislation to reverse some of the Medicaid service cuts approved in recent years has been introduced in a House committee. That’s according to the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities. Marilyn Sword, the group’s executive director, says Rep. Janice McGeachin (R-Idaho Falls) has been working on the proposal. Rep. McGeachin, who chairs the House Health […]

February 24, 2012

Idaho Governor, Senator To Promote Romney’s New Tax Plan

For the second time this month Idaho Republicans Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and Senator Jim Risch are stumping for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney detailed a new tax plan earlier this week, the same day President Barack Obama unveiled his. Now, Otter and Risch are hosting a press conference call this afternoon to tout […]

February 22, 2012

President Obama Asks Congress To Lower The Corporate Tax Rate

President Obama wants Congress to lower the top federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 28 percent. The New York Times reports Obama’s proposal would get rid of dozens of loopholes and subsidies and give preference to manufacturers that would set their maximum effective rate at 25 percent. Mr. Obama’s proposal, outlined by Treasury […]

February 21, 2012

Income Tax Reduction Would Make Little Difference To Small Business Owners

In reporting yesterday’s story about the competing budget priorities that legislators are weighing this session, I reached out to a lot of business groups. I wanted to identify a small business owner who could walk me through just what a reduced individual income tax rate would mean for his or her business over time; I […]

February 17, 2012

Romney’s Boise Speech Light On Details, Heavy On Politics

Speaking at a Boise modular building company, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said he has the skills it takes to turn Idaho’s economy around. The former Massachusetts governor was in full campaign mode, delivering a speech that was light on details, but heavy on attacks leveled at President Barack Obama and fellow GOP candidate Rick […]

Maximum Jobless Benefits For Idahoans Likely Scaled Back To 63 Weeks

Congress is expected to pass a $150 billion economic deal today that would extend a payroll tax cut for 10 months and extend unemployment benefits through the end of the year. But as The Washington Post reports the deal would reduce those unemployment benefits by the end of the year from the current maximum of […]

February 16, 2012

Idaho’s Payday Lenders Could Face Interest Rate Cap

Idaho lawmakers are considering a bill to cap how much interest payday lenders can charge borrowers. Many payday loan stores charge interest rates of up to 400 percent. House Bill 470 would cap interest rates at 36 percent. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Lee Heider (R-Twin Falls) told the Idaho Press-Tribune, “our society isn’t as well-off right […]

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