Championing Business in Idaho

Dear Jana:

Governor Otter has announced the extent of the planned budget holdbacks for the 2010 budget. The largest percentage of holdbacks proposed are in the Labor and Commerce departments. There’s no mention at this time of how revenue could be increased, only how budgets will be tightened. Some are concerned that this is not the best long term view of how to raise revenue for the state. What would you do to encourage state revenue production?

I would focus on job creation through the small business owners who are already working in Idaho. The next big companies to be recognized worldwide are right here in Idaho. We need to find them and champion who they are and what they are doing so they can participate in a worldwide economy and thus bring new revenue streams into the state.

We need to have a Director of Commerce who will champion small businesses and a governor who will champion small businesses.

We also need to look at other state agencies that currently generate revenue and explore how their staffing levels can be maintained and additional revenue created. For example, the University of Idaho could offer 4-H classes for a small fee. That would not only help children participate in activities, but it would also provide income to the University beyond increasing the tuition of full-time students.

Balancing the state budget needs to handled not only through cost savings, but by new revenues created through new business development and new ideas.

Tags: Idaho business