Job No. 1 left undone

From reforming education to howling over wolves, the Idaho Legislature didn't back down from controversy during the 2011 session. But here's a bottom line question: With the economy the No. 1 issue and job creation the highest possible priority, how much did this session actually accomplish?

We agree with those who believe state spending had to be reduced, and in that sense, some fiscal sanity prevailed. When revenue is down, cutting expense is a step in the right direction. But it's not the only one and, at some point, cutting alone becomes destructive. Somewhere along the lines of economic recovery, revenue has to be raised, and the vast majority of citizens want revenue to increase without taxes rising commensurately. That's what economic development is all about, and the motor that drives economic development is jobs.

Our legislature worked hard on issues that slapped the face of modern federalism, even if it inflicted no actual damage. Health care, wolf control, abortion, guns on campus and even arguing over patients' ability to die with dignity are all issues directly linked to Idaho's determined march against the tide of unwanted federal policy. Yet the call to rejuvenate the state's economy went largely unheeded.

One miniature flashlight in the depths of economic midnight is "Hire One Act," a tax credit to employers who make new hires. It's an incentive for employers to add to their workforce, providing a small percentage bonus at the end of the tax year. While it's a good move, it's a small one, and we'll have to wait awhile to benefit from it. It had been drafted to take effect retroactively this year, but in the compromise amendment process, the incentives now won't take effect until next year.

In some corners, this session will be honored as one in which Idaho stood tall for local control. Yet hypocrisy in much of the legislation was painfully and poignantly summarized by Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill this way:

"Once again we demonstrate, as we have before, that our lips preach local control but our hearts are far from it."

We only wish there had been less preaching and more practicing when it comes to jobs.