Guest Opinion: Nearby states poised for economic surge. What is Montana doing?

Despite Montana’s current economic prosperity, it becomes increasingly evident that adjoining states are poised to seize the large, industrial-scale projects that stimulate huge capital investment, generate high-paying jobs, and create a predictable tax base for state and local governments.

Two University of Montana business professors, Jack Morton and Michael Harrington, analyzed Montana’s business and legal climate and contrasted it to adjoining states, and the results, published in the spring 2006 issue of the Montana Business Quarterly, were telling.

Montana’s workers’ compensation premiums, for example, were ranked eighth highest in the nation, while Idaho ranked 34th and North Dakota was the lowest in the country. The report says, "Respondents expressed fear that our relatively high workers’ compensation rates will encourage existing businesses to leave and discourage other businesses from moving to Montana."

The report also cites Montana’s wrongful discharge environment as the most onerous in the country. Courts are granted the discretion of reviewing whether an employer had "good cause" in terminating an employee, placing a unique burden on Montana businesses that does not encumber businesses in other states. It is a trial lawyer’s dream come true, but it is a deterrent to corporate investment.

By CARY HEGREBERG

Full Opinion: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/06/10/opinion/guest/30-economic.txt

Joe McClure, Big Sky EDA, thought this article may be of interest. It was the Guest Opinion in the Billings Gazette this past Saturday.

What are your thoughts?

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