Last year IACI’s legislative policies were drastically changed to a more member friendly version that gave the various committees flexibility on working in the public policy arena.  This year those policies remained relatively unchanged.  This year the various committees worked throughout the spring to develop a new set of priorities for the next legislative year.  These are the issues that IACI will focus on throughout the balance of 2008 and into the 2009 Legislative session.  These priorities were presented by IACI’s Public Policy Committee and Legislative Committee Chair MIKE REYNOLDSON on June 23, 2008.

The IACI Board of Directors adopted the priorities after adding in a new issue regarding climate change unanimously later that same day.  These are, in no particular order:

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX:

The personal property tax applies to business machinery, tools, furnishings, equipment and some fixtures.  It is one of the most difficult to administer and comply with for government and business alike.  It is a barrier to economic development, and studies indicate that the elimination of the tax not only benefits business, but will increase the personal income of Idaho citizens.

TRANSPORTATION:

IACI supports a diverse mix of transportation measures that increase safety, support economic growth, reduce congestion and increase efficiency in the movement of goods and people.  Transportation funding should first utilize existing funding mechanisms.  If a clear need exists, additional revenue and new alternative funding sources should be carefully considered and must not be in conflict with other IACI policies. Transportation agencies must be accountable, use innovative processes that lower costs, reduce delivery time, and maximize return on investments.

HEALTH CARE:

IACI supports affordable, quality health care through innovation, choice and competition in the marketplace.  IACI supports reasonable ways to increase the availability of health care coverage and reduce costs for both employers and employees while minimizing mandates, complexity and litigation.

EDUCATION:

Idaho invests considerable resources into an education system from kindergarten through post-secondary education at colleges, universities and workforce training programs. Idaho’s business community has a vital interest in an education system that results in an educated workforce, enabling Idaho’s citizens to have a lifetime of learning, productivity, and economic opportunity.  Productive, well-trained Idahoans enhance the state’s economic vitality.  Business has a stake not only in the process and delivery of education services, but in the quality of the students, faculty, and administration participating in Idaho’s education system. IACI supports cost-effective, innovative strategies to strengthen Idaho’s education system.

ENERGY:

IACI supports a comprehen-sive energy strategy that encourages energy efficiency and promotes the cost-effective and reliable production, transmission and delivery of energy to meet the state’s energy needs, which is essential to the long-term health of Idaho's economy and the prosperity of Idaho's businesses and citizens.

CLIMATE CHANGE:

There has been no formal policy adopted by IACI at this point regarding the issue of climate change.  Nevertheless, IACI has been tasked with researching the issue and to bring forth policy for the September Board meeting.