Governor: Idaho economy strong, incarceration rate too high

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho's economy is strong, but more work is needed to shore up the state's transportation infrastructure and education and health care systems, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Wednesday.

"I believe people and businesses are choosing to relocate or expand in Idaho because of how we respect the hard-earned money and the hard-earned efforts of our citizens and businesses,'' he said.

The Republican governor hit familiar themes in his speech to about 400 business people attending the Boise Metro Chamber event at J.R. Simplot Company's Jack's Urban Meeting Place, or JUMP.

Little called J.R. Simplot, a billionaire potato entrepreneur who died in 2008, a mentor. He said Idaho should emulate Simplot's innovation and hard work to remain competitive and that part of that effort involves improving Idaho's education system from the pre-school level to the university level.

"Businesses large and small, wherever I go in Idaho, talk about the need for a better workforce as our state continues to modernize and expand,'' he said.

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