Growth
Growth should bring more to the community than it takes. Whether in property tax revenue, infrastructure, or services such as parks and schools, new growth should be safe, thoughtful and provide benefits to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Abortion
As a woman, who has had three children, I know a thing or two about pregnancy, and the complications that can happen.
There are times when abortion is necessary for the life and health of the mother. I don’t believe our legislature has the knowledge or expertise to decide when that is. I support the physician and woman when it comes to personal medical decisions.
Abortions won’t stop happening just because it is against the law. If our society wants to end abortions, we also need to support things that prevent unwanted pregnancies such as sex education and birth control for both men and women. We also have to look at how we support women and families once they have the baby.
Education
Free and equitable public education is one of the hallmarks of our nation.
Our future quality of life depends on how well we educate our children. Idaho should be exploring all options when it comes to supporting public schools including funding based on enrollment and giving schools the option to collect school impact fees from new development.
Some Idaho children attend public schools with holes in the ceiling. This year the Idaho Legislature passed a one-time $2 billion dollar investment to address building safety and maintenance. This is a good step but is only a band aid and not a long-term solution.
Well Water
There is data that says the aquifer in SW Ada County is dropping a foot a year. Changing land use, including sprawl, has impacted our neighbors to a point where some of them no longer have water. There needs to be a comprehensive study of the aquifer and protections or assistance put in place for neighbors who are affected.
Grocery Tax
Idaho should not be taxing a basic need like groceries. The biggest tax reduction we could give to Idaho residents would be to do away with this tax.
Attempts to undermine the lawful votes of Idaho residents are shameful. From repeated attempts to make the citizen ballot initiative process almost impossible to taking away local control from voters and duly elected officials, our state level politicians need to respect the people’s voice.
The People’s Voice
Politicians are public servants. I believe they are accountable to their constituents, not their campaign donors. For a state representative, their job review comes every 2 years. A legislator should be able to face their voters and truthfully say their voting record was for the benefit of their community.
The hardest thing to do sometimes is to LISTEN to UNDERSTAND, instead of listen to respond. While the people of Idaho share similar values, we are as individual as the stars in the sky. How do we respond to people who think differently than we do? I believe we all have something we can learn from one another.