Trib: Idaho = Low-Wage Jobs

If you want to work in poverty, Idaho’s for you. So says an Economic Policy Institute study that ranked the Gem State eighth worst for the share of its people — 31 percent — working below the federal poverty line - pegged at $23,050 for a family of four. You have to travel to the Deep South to find anything more dire. By contrast, Washington is one of the top 10 states — only 19.5 percent of its jobs pay a poverty wage. Just as University of Idaho economist Stephen Cooke noted a year ago, Idaho is caught in a low-wage employment trap. The openings come in occupations that pay less - food preparation, personal care, building maintenance and retail sales. Most of the employment Idaho is creating requires little advanced training. Which matches precisely with Idaho’s poor record of producing highly skilled workers. It’s a vicious cycle. Poorly educated workers attract low-wage jobs and vice versa/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Has Idaho become the Mississippi of the West?