Idaho Governor Brad Little says his state’s economy is booming as it continues to move past the Covid pandemic.
Little’s office on Wednesday released new figures that show the Gem State collected nearly $600 million more in tax revenue than expected in May.The governor claimed that his conservative budgeting approach has protected Idaho from some of the economic turbulence experienced by other states. He spoke to reporters Wednesday in the factory hangar at Empire Airlines near Coeur d’Alene.
“Even if the velocity of the world and national economy goes down, I’m certain that Idaho will be in as good a shape as any other state," Little said.
For now, he says, the state is getting back to normal.
“It is mind boggling, the delta between what I was worried about a year ago and right now, if you want to know what I’m worried about, it’s housing affordability. It’s workforce for Tim Komborec at Empire Airlines," he said.
Komborec is Empire’s CEO.
Little says the state is now working to distribute money authorized by the legislature for local transportation projects, including those designed to ease traffic congestion in Kootenai County.
The governor will speak Wednesday night at Lakeland High School’s commencement ceremony.