Taxes

More and more people are visiting and moving to cities and towns around the Mountain West, drawn by access to public lands and other natural amenities. That brings economic growth – and also growing pains. A new report aims to help communities address the challenges.

The city of Ketchum is trying again to raise money for housing through its resort tax after a ballot measure last year failed. This spring, voters there could be joined by those in Sun Valley and Hailey in considering a similar measure.

A new analysis of state tax revenues shows that many states are ahead of projections made before COVID-19 rocked the economy. And some Mountain West states are the nation’s leading performers, while others are struggling to rebound.

“The state has the money to provide gas tax relief and the need is clear,” said Sen. David Nelson (D-Moscow). “The only thing that remains is the will to do it.”

Opposition to a proposed gas tax on fuel exported from Washington to neighboring states like Idaho, Oregon and Alaska has been swift and bipartisan, and is now beginning to escalate to retaliatory plans.

Ketchum is considering adding community housing to that list of local option tax expenses.

There are currently 83 operating breweries in Idaho. For years, taxes collected off the sale of beer helped fund the state Wine Commission - which wasn't allowed to promote beer or any non-grape beverage. That changed July 1, 2021.

Governor Brad Little has reported that Idaho has the most financially solvent budget and strongest economy in the nation. That, paired with vaccine…

A Democratic firebrand in Congress has a new role overseeing the oil and gas industry.California Rep. Katie Porter is known for her hard-hitting style. In…

The temporary payroll tax holiday President Trump issued last month went into effect September 1. It allows employers to pause payroll tax collection from…