Idaho’s outgoing Department of Commerce director surprised legislators Tuesday with the problematic message that talent trumps taxes. Jeff Sayer, an entrepreneur who will return to the private sector at year’s end, told a working group on taxation that tax rates seldom come up in conversations with businesses considering expansion or relocation. Further up the list of priorities, he said, is the availability of skilled workers. Some are shelving plans to grow in Idaho because they do not see an adequate talent pool. None that he has spoken to even raised the tax issue. What’s so problematic? For one, when Idaho legislators use the word “tax,” the necessary suffix is “cut.” When a tax policy group starts its meetings in secret, the antenna of Legislature observers _ and Idahoans in general _ should go up/Spokesman-Review Editorial Board. More here.

Question: Do you think GOP legislative leaders realize that Idaho has one of the most balanced tax systems now?