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Exploring the policies and politics that help or stand in the way of job creation.

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March 26, 2013

Could A “Third Option” Make Medicaid Expansion More Palatable In Idaho?

In total, Idaho lawmakers took more than 15 hours of floor debate this legislative session to determine that Idaho should create a state-based health insurance exchange. It was an act of compliance with the federal health care law that raised the hackles of many conservative Idaho lawmakers. The law’s optional Medicaid expansion — which by some […]

March 25, 2013

Last-Minute Push For Medicaid Expansion Fails In House Committee

House Minority Leader John Rusche (D-Lewiston) this morning made an unorthodox push for action on a pair of bills that would expand Medicaid eligibility in Idaho and do away with the state’s catastrophic healthcare fund. As the Idaho Statesman‘s Dan Popkey writes: House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, took the rare step of using a parliamentary […]

March 21, 2013

Personal Property Tax Bill Keeps Its Quick Pace Through The Idaho Legislature

After minimal discussion, the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee gave unanimous approval to the personal property tax proposal that sailed through the House early this week. Chairman Jeff Siddoway (R-Rexburg) noted, to laughter, that all of those signed up to testify on the bill were in favor of it. “As I look through the […]

March 19, 2013

House Passes Tax Cut For Idaho Businesses

A fast-tracked bill that would repeal the personal property tax for nearly 90 percent of Idaho businesses passed the House 67-2 the same day it was unanimously pushed through committee. Representatives Shirley Ringo (D-Latah) and John Gannon (D-Boise) cast the only votes against the measure. Rep. Gannon said he couldn’t support the bill because $20 […]

Updated: Lawmakers Get Behind Partial Repeal Of Idaho’s Personal Property Tax

Updated: The House will debate a personal property tax bill, HB 315, at 3:30 this afternoon, according to reports. The bill was introduced yesterday in the House Ways & Means Committee and won unanimous support in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee this morning. A personal property tax bill supported by the Idaho Association of […]

March 18, 2013

Idaho Counties Introduce Expanded Business Tax Exemption Plan

A new personal property tax bill from the Idaho Association of Counties was introduced in the House Ways & Means Committee Monday afternoon. This bill broadens the business personal property tax exemptions that would be granted under the Association of Counties’ existing bill, which was introduced the week before last. The new bill would exempt […]

Medicaid Expansion Could Mean Greater Benefit To Idaho Budgets Than First Estimated

Consulting group Milliman this afternoon will tell Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s Medicaid work group that Idaho could save more money than previously estimated by expanding Medicaid eligibility. The Medicaid expansion is a key component of the federal Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the law’s constitutionality gave […]

Counties’ Personal Property Tax Bill On Fast Track?

The House Ways & Means Committee reportedly will meet this afternoon to consider a personal property tax bill backed by the Idaho Association of Counties. It’s a sign the bill has House Speaker Scott Bedke’s support, according to Boise State University emeritus professor and political analyst Jim Weatherby. “It looks like they’re trying to come […]

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