Idaho

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Background

Growth, recession, the transition of Idaho’s economy, and the effects of change on Idahoans.

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May 8, 2013

Bottom Rung: Why An Influx Of Retirees To Idaho Is Creating More Low-Wage Jobs

There’s a brand new pizza joint in southeast Boise. It’s nestled in a mini-strip mall with a gas station, dry cleaner and hair salon. On a recent Friday evening, Franco’s Pizzeria was just starting to pick up. Itā€™s a tiny place. The cash register is only a few steps away from the industrial pizza ovens. […]

May 7, 2013

Idaho Tax Collections Come In Well Above April Forecast

In the largest unexpected increase of the fiscal year, Idaho state tax collections were up 13.2 percent above projections in April. The Division of Financial Management reports tax collections totaled $483.9 million during the largest tax-collecting month of the year. DFM forecast April collections wouldn’t exceed $427.4 million.

Bottom Rung: Expenses Are Tough To Pay On Idaho’s $7.25 Minimum Wage

One in 13 hourly workers in Idaho earned minimum wage last year. That’s $7.25 an hour.The share of Idaho workers making minimum wage has increased from 5 percent in 2011 to 7.7 percent of the hourly workforce in 2012. That bump means Idaho has a larger share of minimum wage workers than any other state […]

Bottom Rung: Two Idaho Workers Talk About Life On Low Wages

Wages are lower in Idaho than in nearly ever other state. Thatā€™s often chalked up to Idahoā€™s rural nature and low cost of living. But recently, the state has lost ground. A federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that Idaho has theĀ largest share of workers earning minimum wage in the country. And that share […]

May 2, 2013

Number Of Businesses In Idaho Are Still Well Below The Pre-Recession Peak

The U.S. Census Bureau has taken a closer look at business on the state and county levels. The agency released this map today that shows where Idaho’s businesses are concentrated, their estimated number of employees and the estimated annual payroll. The 2011 data from the American Community Survey shows there were 42,399 businesses in Idaho, […]

April 19, 2013

Idaho’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady As Labor Force Shrinks

Idaho’s jobless rate remained flat last month, at 6.2 percent. The Idaho Department of Labor’s monthly report says the rate is holding steady despite anemic hiring because of an ongoing decline in the size of the state’s workforce. Total employment fell by about 600 people in March, even as employers hired about 13,000 workers, according […]

April 18, 2013

StateImpact Idaho Wins Three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

We don’t toot our own horn very often, but today we simply couldn’t resist. We’ve won three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards! Our winning work will now be submitted for the national competition. The awards recognize work of the highest quality produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. “For more than […]

April 17, 2013

Electricity Rate Hikes Are Here To Stay

As StateImpact has reported, Idaho Power on Monday submitted a proposal to raise customer rates by as much as 15.34 percent, on average, for the next year. The price hike is largely the result of low rainfall and snowpack, which have lowered Idaho Power’s production of hydroelectricity — a comparatively cheap resource. The Idaho Conservation […]

April 15, 2013
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