Issues

Education

Every K-12 student in Idaho has the right to a quality education. This is a
requirement of the Idaho State Constitution, to ensure the stability of our
government. The current funding methods for Idaho schools aren’t doing
that, the State Legislature needs to make this their top priority. If Nampa
Public Schools were fully funded, they would not be closing schools and
shifting to a 4-day school week. If Kuna and Vallivue schools were fully
funded they would not be struggling to build enough buildings for the new
students coming to their districts. By fully funding public schools it also
reduces the need for bonds and levies, which would reduce property taxes.

School Vouchers & Scholarships

School Vouchers

Some in the Legislature including my opponent want to give $5,000 for
each child that doesn’t attend public schools. This would give my opponent
a $20,000 pay raise, as he homeschools his children. Further, the cost of
this scheme would balloon the state budget and decrease the money
available for other worthy goals such as fully funding K-12 education in
Idaho and maintaining roads and bridges. Also, this scheme doesn’t require
accountability for the money. Public schools are required to test children to
see what they have achieved and how they have grown. Proposals for this
scheme do not require testing, so the public and parents will not know if the
money is being used for a quality education, as intended. 

Scholarships for Workforce Training and College

I am opposed to the GOP and my opponent’s plan to no longer offer
scholarships for students pursuing community college and college
programs. Higher education not only produces people with bachelor’s
degrees, but also produces electricians, auto mechanics, and truck drivers.
A highly educated workforce also creates a strong foundation for economic
success for Idaho according to the Economic Policy Institute. On a
personal note, my eldest child begins college this year at an Idaho
university and were it not for instate tuition and scholarships my child would
not be able to pursue their dream of becoming a pharmacist. 
A vote for me is a vote  to defend our public schools and universities, and
ensure the economic vitality of Idaho.

Growth

Idaho and the Treasure Valley have been growing by leaps and bounds
lately. This has brought opportunities and problems. Growth has given us
more varied shopping opportunities in Nampa, no more having to drive to
Boise for specialized items. We have more employers to choose from. We
also have a lot more neighbors to meet in our community.
Rapid growth in the Treasure Valley has also caused some problems,
specifically traffic congestion and the lack of affordable housing. 

Traffic Congestion in Downtown Nampa around the library block is frequent
even in non-rush hour times. 12th Avenue S and 11th Avenue N are also
known as State Highway 45, so the state should be funding most of the
needed improvements to make the change over from 12th to 11th safer and
less congested. There are other transportation improvements needed to
reduce congestion and help us get where we are going.
Lack of affordable housing is becoming a problem, evictions doubled in

Higher eviction rates lead to a larger homeless population, like
California and other west coast states have. The lack of affordable housing
will continue unless we change how we are growing.  We should be looking
at ways to encourage the building of more dense housing while still building
traditional subdivisions. Denser housing like apartments, condominiums
and townhouses tend to be more affordable. In the case of condominiums
and townhouses, they offer the opportunity to buy your first home. Building
denser would also keep more farmland growing food.

Fiscal Stewardship

When the church I grew up in raised money for the year we called it a
stewardship drive. By stewardship, they meant taking care of our church.
Stewardship includes balancing budgets and asking for only what is
needed to do the job, but it is more.
Stewardship is about taking care of our obligations; that means making
sure our children have good schools, our roads and bridges are
maintained, our public lands are protected, our persons and property are
protected by police and firefighters, our poor have healthcare through the
Medicaid expansion, and that the budget is balanced. The supermajority in
the legislature is so concerned with balancing the budget that they seem to
forget what our tax money is for, it’s for taking care of the state’s business.

Freedom

As an American, I treasure my freedom above all else. Our U.S.
The Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee us many freedoms including
freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom to bear arms.
We also should be able to have the freedom to choose our and our family’s
healthcare. This means people should be free to choose to be vaccinated
or not. Doctors and women should be free to offer/have abortions or not.
This is especially important when pregnancies get in trouble. People should
also be free to start families, including using In Vitro Fertilization. People
should be free to be themselves.  Most of these freedoms, my opponent
believes we should not enjoy.
My freedom is something I treasure and don’t take for granted. I only ask
that the state not tread on me.

Public Lands

Public Land should be just that, public. Idahoans for many generations
have used our public lands for hunting, fishing, berry picking, and other
ways to enjoy untouched nature. I also believe that governments should
protect public access to our public lands.
My opponent and his party believe that roadless and other public lands
should be taken over by the State of Idaho, then developed. No more
public access.