HB 126, legislation sponsored by the Idaho Chamber Alliance to grant a refundable tax credit for employers who make new hires for jobs that pay at least $12 an hour and have health insurance, has cleared the House on a 64-3 vote, but Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise, spoke out against the bill. "I have continuing issues with tax credits," he said. "I think they skew our tax system. ... To me, people are going to be hired because there's a need in a business, it's not going to be because of a tax credit." He also said a refundable credit could get the state into the same kind of budget trouble it's seen with an existing wind-power tax rebate. "I just don't think this is a good bill right now," Luker said. "We need jobs, but I have a problem with doing it this way."

House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, the bill's sponsor, countered, "If this economy and this state is going to get back on track, we have to encourage people to create jobs." The only other representatives joining Luker in opposing the bill were Reps. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, and Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens. The bill now moves to the Senate side.