/LinkClick.aspxIACI has outlined an ambitious legislative plan. Our Legislative Committee has been working since early January on issues facing our state. Idaho has joined the rest of the country in struggling to deal with the economic crisis that has gripped nearly every sector of our economy. We have heard many people talk about “when we come out of this recession,” as if it is some kind of foregone conclusion that times will eventually be better. In some respects, the inevitability of a recovery will occur, but how will Idaho fare in the future? That is something we in the business community cannot leave to chance.
Idaho is a financially healthy state with reserves, the ability to cut government services and tighten the belt to ensure we use our resources wisely. This does not mean cutting essential services, but it does mean acting in the most fiscally prudent way by working with departments and their employees to work for those efficiencies. Even so, like any smart business that is facing tough economic times, there needs to be an investment in the market share to build and work their way out of the economic doldrums. It doesn’t just happen, we have to WORK our way out.
In keeping with the Governor’s vision of Project 60 to grow Idaho’s economy by nearly one-third, we have to invest in an infrastructure in the down times to provide the foundation for future economic growth that puts Idaho at a competitive advantage for business expansion. Business expansion and diversification translates into opportunity and prosperity for our citizens. This means ‘right-sizing’ government and investing in areas that are deficient. IACI will be working toward achieving the following agenda:
1. Transportation—As Idaho is a rural and relatively remote state, we must have a top quality transportation system that gives our citizens a safe route to their employers and the businesses they work for—a solid pipeline to move their products to market. That means investment in a system that has been neglected for a decade and working with other modes of transportation to improve access to Idaho.
2. Water—The lifeblood of this state has a unique opportunity to support a two-year effort by groups with wide differences of opinion on how to deal with our water through support of the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP). This, literally, could be a model for resolving water conflicts for other parts of Idaho. It is the first time all sides have come this close to an agreement this sweeping as to affect a 300,000-acre-feet change in the water budget within the next 10 years.
3. Energy—Without it we don’t grow, and we are at a crossroads. First, we are limited in the available energy resources we have to develop in Idaho. Therefore, we need to invest in policies that allow for a return on the investment that incentivizes new energy development and transmission capability. It costs Idaho nothing, but the returns are significant.
4. Education—We need to be more innovative in our coordination and delivery of top-flight education. We need to create and develop those systems that push the dollars where they do the most good—the classroom. For a small investment we can put Idaho on the path to fulfilling the Idaho Education Network (IEN), which connects teachers, professors, and even business professionals with students in a meaningful way. Imagine giving that talented physics teacher in Meridian the tools and compensation to deliver an advanced physics course to a student in Lapwai. Right now only the students in the big districts have the most diverse opportunity to pursue education. If we are truly about investing in a child’s opportunity for success, we need to invest in their ability to receive the world at their own school. The IEN does that. This translates into a better educated and motivated workforce that employers need. IACI is dedicated to making sure our kids have that opportunity.
5. Tax Policy—Long gone are the days when Idaho leaders said, “businesses will just locate here because of our great quality of life.” The reality is there are a lot of places in this world with a great quality of life. Idaho should no longer be passed over by businesses because of our high corporate income tax rate and personal property tax on equipment, tools and machinery and set up shop elsewhere. IACI will continue to work to make important reductions and restructuring in the tax code to give economic development professionals throughout Idaho the tools they need. As these changes bear fruit, we will grow from within, and that growth will translate into recruitment like we have never witnessed and economic diversity and new opportunity for all our citizens.