Over the past three years, Idaho has cut its budget for both teaching students and keeping people healthy in the wake of the economic downturn. In 2001, Idaho spent more on healthcare and education than it does now. Yet, Idaho legislators strongly support, with Governor Butch Otter's backing, top rate tax cuts from 7.8% to 7.4% for its wealthiest individuals and 7.6% to 7.4% for corporations. These tax cuts would increase the deficit by almost $36 million. What is important to notice here is that many workers in healthcare and education belong to unions. When state budgets experience deficits, their legislators may seek to force unions into concessions or even bust the unions. They seek to do this to make it easier to lower salaries for teachers and nurses. But, that hurts the economy as they have less money to spend. This has also happened in Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states headed by Republican governors.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/03/02/436525/idaho-tax-cuts/?tw_p=twt
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