Spring brought sequestration cuts that put federal airport jobs in a holding pattern. But traffic was already down in January, compared with the previous year, as storms dented the flight plans for many airlines. Freight being unloaded in Boise, and mail deliveries leaving Boise, were way up, and everything else either stagnated or tanked. Lower passenger traffic meant fewer shoppers, diners and taxi/shuttle riders.

Meanwhile, Idaho tax revenues were down 0.2percent from the state’s forecast for the first seven months of the fiscal year. But January receipts were a bit ahead of what was predicted. Sales taxes came in higher than expected and included December’s holiday sales. They were also increased by an improving housing sector, according to the Division of Financial Management. Corporate and income taxes were down. Withholding was off by $10.8 million.