Economic Outlook co-chair: ‘I think we can see light’

The Legislature’s Economic Outlook & Revenue Projection Committee has convened, with Co-Chair Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, saying the group has a “formidable challenge before us.” Co-Chair Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, told Eye on Boise, “I would hope that the tone of the presentations is guardedly positive, because I think we’re seeing the first signs of a real recovery - except for jobs. But what we’re going to have to do, is we’re going to have to temper what we’re hearing with the fact that the state’s revenue stream drags behind recovery. So I think this is going to be a lean budget year, but I think from here forward we will see steady increases in revenue - not large increases, but we’ll see steady increases in revenue for the next few years.”

He added, “I guess I feel better about it this year than last, again because I think we can see light. I think the worst is behind us. Everybody can miss lunch if they realize that they’re going to have dinner.” You can see the presentations to the committee and listen online here .