| Candidate Values and Positions on Key Issues: As an experienced
county commissioner and long-time resident of North Central
Idaho, I know how important it is to work on and make progress
finding solutions to issues of importance to Idaho families:
issues like a living wage, available healthcare, good schools
and roads, and personal and community security. I believe legislators
must make decisions that build Idaho for the future. We need
vision and wisdom in facing those issues, not platitudes and
posturing.
We need a change in how our state legislature operates. This
year there are sixty Democratic candidates contesting seats
in the Idaho House and Senate. Voters have a monumental opportunity
to make positive change in the Idaho legislature. I want to
be part of that change. I will take to the Idaho House of Representatives,
local government experience in dealing with issues important
to you, a history of being responsive and listening to all sides
of an issue, making common sense decisions in an environment
of openness and respect, and then communicating those decisions.
I want to boost our state legislature back on track and steer
towards working for progress on issues about which Idahoans
care most:
a. Tax policy: Examine and evaluate tax exemptions annually.
Provide for tax exemptions when they make sense but also provide
a sunset period to ensure timely review of exemptions.
b. State revenue and budget: Limit the growth of state government.
Make growth pay for itself. Be responsible with taxpayer dollars.
c. Public Lands Policy: Work consistently for revenue enhancements
for counties with public lands. Collaborate with stakeholders
for sound public land policies for fuel reduction, grazing,
timber management, weed management, general forest and backcountry
recreation, clean water, clean air, wildlife management and
forest health.
d. Local governments: Provide for local control whenever possible.
The best and most efficient government is closest to the people.
Protect counties from catastrophic health and criminal cases.
Support communities by finding resources to assist counties
and communities. Help counties and cities reduce costs and improve
service. Support emergency responders and public safety. Support
schools and roads.
e. Environment: Preserve clean air, water, soil. Establish
solid waste policies for better efficiency and recycling.
f. Open, ethical and bi-partisan government: Hold elected officials
to the highest standard of conduct and behavior. Fight fraud
and unfair influence in state government.
g. Education and Healthcare: Support good education from pre-kindergarten
to college. Fund Medicaid for the poor and indigent. Work for
affordable healthcare for all. Protect our children and other
vulnerable individuals from abuse. Provide for adequate mental
healthcare programs.
h. Economy: Assist small businesses to create good jobs.
i. Social justice: Provide opportunities and care for the poor,
physically and mentally challenged, elderly and disadvantaged.
Protect life at all levels of the spectrum.
j. Constituent service: Legislators must be accessible to all
citizens. They are charged with the duty to assist in getting
answers to questions. Bi-partisan teamwork brings more accepted
solutions to complex problems. Government is to serve the people
not the other way around. |