Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has appointed CPA Rich Jackson to the Idaho State Tax Commission, filling the vacancy created by Otter's appointment in June of Commissioner Sam Haws to head the Idaho Commission on Aging (replacing Kim Toryanski, now deputy administrator of the Idaho Division of Human Resources). Jackson, a prominent Republican and former chairman of the Gem County Republican Central Committee, said he'll withdraw from numerous other positions he holds - including chairman of the Idaho Legislative Compensation Committee, treasurer of the Boise Metro Chamber PAC, and treasurer of the Idaho House of Representatives Republican Caucus - to avoid any conflicts with his new role as a state tax commissioner. He's also withdrawing from his CPA partnership, Jackson and Coles in Boise, and said he'll recuse himself from any issues involving former clients, partners or employees of the firm.

“Rich Jackson is the model of an engaged citizen," Otter said. "He and his wife Trudy have tirelessly stepped up time and again to express their civic virtue and to meet the needs of their community and our state. I’m grateful that Rich will be bringing his CPA skills and deep understanding of Idaho’s people and system of government to the Tax Commission. We all will be the beneficiaries.”

Jackson joins GOP Tax Commission Chair Bob Geddes and Democratic commissioners Tom Katsilometes and David Langhorst; click below for Otter's full announcement.

C.L. “Butch” Otter
GOVERNOR

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   
July 7, 2011                                                                                                                                             
 
RICH JACKSON NAMED TO STATE TAX COMMISSION

(BOISE) – Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter announced the appointment today of Emmett accountant and veteran public servant Rich Jackson to a six-year term on the Idaho State Tax Commission.

He will fill the vacancy left by Governor Otter’s June appointment of then-Commissioner Severina “Sam” Haws to lead the Idaho Commission on Aging.

“Rich Jackson is the model of an engaged citizen. He and his wife Trudy have tirelessly stepped up time and again to express their civic virtue and to meet the needs of their community and our state,” Governor Otter said. “I’m grateful that Rich will be bringing his CPA skills and deep understanding of Idaho’s people and system of government to the Tax Commission. We all will be the beneficiaries.”

A former chairman of the Gem County Republican Central Committee, Jackson will join Democrats Tom Katsilometes and David Langhorst and Chairman Bob Geddes – former Republican president pro tem of the Idaho Senate – on the four-member Tax Commission.

Jackson, 67, has filled a number of roles on State and local boards and commissions throughout southwestern Idaho over the years, including chairman of the Idaho Legislative Compensation Committee. In order to accept his new role, Jackson has stepped down from that committee, as well as from the Boise Metro Chamber PAC, where he was treasurer; the Idaho Manufactured Housing Board; and from his role as treasurer for the Idaho House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus.

Jackson also committed to taking other steps to ensure transparency in his actions and prevent even the appearance of any conflicts between his personal and business interests and his responsibilities as a Tax Commission member. That includes withdrawing from his CPA partnership and recusing himself from any Tax Commission issue involving former clients, his partner or employees of that firm.

“I want to thank Governor Otter for the confidence that he has placed in me for the position of Tax Commissioner. I look forward to working with Chairman Geddes and the other commissioners,” Jackson said.

 

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