Oregon Public Broadcasting

Lawmakers in Idaho are stepping up their campaign to lure tax-weary business owners to the Gem State

Yesterday, Idaho’s Department of Commerce launched a new website touting the state’s business-friendly credentials. OPB’s David Nogueras has more.

Last March, Idaho Governor "Butch" Otter made his pitch with a now famous "love letter" to the people of Oregon and Washington. 

Now Idaho’s Department of Commerce is trying to close the deal with, "JustMakeTheShift.com." The new website offers testimonials from business owners. It also offers state-by-state comparisons of tax rates, and the costs of energy and health care.

Bibiana Nertney is the Administrator for Marketing at Idaho’s DOC.

Bibiana Nertney: "The Department of Commerce has a pretty aggressive campaign aimed at those states that are raising taxes on their businesses and fortunately for us, they’re our neighbors."

She says the campaign got started after Oregon voters passed tax hikes through measures 66 and 67.

Nertney says since then at least a dozen companies in Oregon and Washington have expressed interest in moving to Idaho.