First, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne proposed a $1,000 tax credit for new jobs that pay more than $15.50 an hour and provide health insurance benefits. Then, the House thought that was too high, so they amended it down to $12.50 an hour.

When the bill got to the Senate, senators amended it again - back to $15.50

Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, explained that at the lower level, the workers would qualify to enroll their kids in the Children's Health Insurance Program, which would mean the state would have to pay. "It's important that we put this wage at a level where people will actually be able to access the health care insurance," he said.

The Senate on Tuesday passed the twice-amended bill on a unanimous, 31-0 vote.

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