Two of the three leading GOP candidates for governor issued statements today lauding the signing of HB 335, the unemployment insurance tax cut bill for Idaho employers; here are the full statements from Lt. Gov. Brad Little and Boise physician and developer Tommy Ahlquist:

LITTLE: “Idaho has record employment and wage growth is double the national average because of the hard work of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state.  This cut to unemployment tax was long overdue, and this was shown by unanimous passage in the Legislature. By cutting unemployment tax in Idaho, we are allowing businesses to do what they do best— invest those dollars back into their employees and companies.”

AHLQUIST: “I commend the Governor for signing this bill into law providing long overdue tax relief to Idaho small business owners and families. I've been advocating for the reduction of this rate for a long time and while it could easily have been done last year, I'm glad to see that in an election year things are getting done.”

Also in the race on the GOP side are 1st District Rep. Raul Labrador and a slew of others; on the Democratic side, hopefuls include current Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer, and 2014 Democratic nominee A.J. Balukoff of Boise.