101 YEARS
Page A8 - September 23, 2010 - Teton Valley News
ElEction
Meet the
candidates Election November 2, 2010 * denotes incumbent
Te t on Coun t y C o m m i s s i o n e r r ac e Se at 2 Tony Goe
Republican, County Commissioner – Seat 2 What are the major issues facing the county?
We’re all in this together, and we should work together for a common goal rather than withdraw, because no one has listened up to now.
The issue consistently repeated is that the BOCC doesn’t listen to the majority; that “government knows what’s best for the rest of us, so they impose their own will on us.” The most current example is the public hearing Sept. 16 in which the clear majority of the public who voiced an opinion expressed considerable concern over adoption of the flawed lighting ordinance before development of a comprehensive plan. People have had enough. When taxes aren’t enough to cover the cost of local government overhead and programs, levies are called for to make up the difference, and property owners have become financially exhausted. People want spending reduced; the county budget increases 3% each year even though population, business growth, and services requirements are dwindling. Taxes are increasing as home/property assessments decrease. Considerable restrictions make it too burdensome for potential businesses to open their doors here and for established businesses to continue in a profitable manner. Our business economy is dying. The Teton Creek restoration project hasn’t been identified in the budget, and it is dependent on a government grant of which the taxpayers will have to gamble $137,000. Going broke saving money is not a wise return on an investment. How do you propose to deal with them? I will leverage my experience as a business process engineer to provide alternative solutions to the answers we seek. I will examine the current programs and areas of overlap in the 2011 budget and determine where line items may be realigned to support the public’s higher program priorities and initiatives. I truly want to hear from the permanent residents whose hard-earned tax dollars pay for these programs. I will encourage everyone with an interest in the issues to talk to me and attend BOCC meetings and public hearings.
I have signed up to help write the new comprehensive plan which should be developed immediately after we assure ourselves we truly understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing us. Understanding where we are in this recession will provide an objective; otherwise we will continue to languish in a quagmire of new ordinances, restrictions, taxes, etc. that won’t resolve anything. I will work to restore public trust in the commissions and always encourage completely open and honest dialogue to help businesses grow and the county to flourish. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? Residents have become dissatisfied with current programs and are reluctant to see additional ones implemented, especially when it impacts what has become their survival budget during a recession. The state of the economy is such that any new programs, such as the Teton Creek restoration initiative, will be viewed as a further imposition on the ability to keep one’s head above water. Working toward a taxpayer driven Comprehensive Plan is perhaps the single most important initiative that should be pursued wholeheartedly to give direction to our current state of affairs. A forward approach that we can all buy into will not only help to identify what our planning deficiencies may be, but will also help to identify necessary programs, policies, and ordinances. The role of Emergency Management and the function of the Local Emergency Planning Committee should be broadened from only including: disaster response to, recovery from, and mitigation of natural phenomena to additionally including: economic disaster planning, recovery, and mitigation. The economic crisis we are faced with on a local level needs to be resolved from within. Integrating emergency management into the overall comprehensive planning process will help to provide mitigation techniques for unplanned economic issues.
Kathy Rinaldi*
Democrat, County Commissioner – Seat 2 What are the major issues facing the county? Three major challenges facing Teton County are our local economy, creation of diverse jobs, and strategic long-term community planning — all of which are connected. During the recent boom, we funneled ourselves into a narrow market by focusing mainly on residential and vacation housing. This reliance on one industry made our economy incredibly weak. Our construction-based workforce became vulnerable to small changes in market demands. When the housing market crashed, the effects were devastating and across the board. This time around, we can create new business and job opportunities by implementing a long-term community development plan that promotes and protects what makes Teton Valley special. How do you propose to deal with them? At the outset of my term, we recognized the need to address the economic situation by pulling the reigns in on spending. We cut nearly $1 million from the budget, collaborated with the cities of Driggs, Victor and local businesses to obtain economic development funding, and embarked on a new comprehensive plan. We recently applied for over $6 million in funding for transportation infrastructure and planning. Last week, we revamped county zoning regulations to facilitate home businesses as a way to promote local entrepreneurship. The comprehensive plan is a critical component to our economic recovery. Being proactive about facilitating
and directing growth will create benefits for everyone’s pocketbooks this time around. Comprehensive planning addresses where we came from (bust) and where we want to go (prosperity). We get to prosperity by: • Identifying local economic drivers so we can promote and protect them. • Establishing transportation networks that enable people, goods, and services to move easily and cost-effectively throughout the valley. • Strategizing improvements to our basic services like roads, schools and healthcare. As my record shows, I’m committed to enhancing quality of life in Teton Valley that will attract entrepreneurs and others who will contribute to our local economy. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? • Continue to focus on our new comprehensive plan for economic recovery • Finalize our county programs and policies addressing the numerous distressed subdivisions in our valley • Encourage a multi-modal transportation plan • Develop private/public partnerships addressing our growing community needs such as mental health • Continue to staff our county with smart, creative, and committed employees • Continue to seek and apply for federal grant opportunities in addition to the $6 million we have already applied for
Teton Cou nt y C o m m i s s i o n e r r ace S e at 3 Larry Young* Kelly Park
Republican, County Commissioner – Seat 3
Submission not received.
Democrat, County Commissioner – Seat 3 What are the major issues facing the county? The major issues facing the county fall into two categories: the economy, specifically the collapse of the real estate and construction markets, and the problems left over from 15 years of rapid growth and development. We were particularly vulnerable when the national recession hit because we had come to depend so much on real estate and building. During the height of the construction boom, it was estimated that 25 percent of our workforce was directly involved in construction. In 2007, the county issued nearly 400 building permits. In 2009, there were barely 50 issued, and only a few of them were for new homes, which had been the mainstay of the building business. This hit on such a large sector of our economy has hurt all our businesses. In real estate, we learned the hard way why excessive premature subdividing and too much speculative building are recipes for disaster. And now, even though growth has all but stopped, we still have many unmet infrastructure and service needs caused by the long period of rapid growth. How do you propose to deal with them? As an elected official, the best way to deal with these issues is to focus on the things government can do, rather than making vague promises about things we don’t have the power to do. “Bringing in jobs and industry” sounds good, but commerce and jobs depend on demand, and the only way to strengthen demand is to work on improving and protecting our assets. This means there are important steps county government can and should take. The unprecedented (anywhere) oversupply of lots was created, in part, by poor and loose development regulation, which made
subdividing too easy. In other words, under-regulation set the stage for a glutted market. If we have learned anything in the past decade, then we should stay the course in refining and modernizing our development regulations, and in writing a solid comprehensive plan that focuses on sustainability. Another area where government can help lay the foundation for an economic revival is to concentrate on good management of county operations, and to assess and work to fix the infrastructure deficiencies that compounded when we were growing. Improving infrastructure and services, including schools and the hospital, is the most positive thing government can do to support a better economy. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? During my first term, we made huge strides in several areas. The county’s first engineer was hired, and we set about fixing a broken solid waste system by closing the old landfill and building the transfer station. The county engineer has done an assessment of our road system, and the voters passed a road levy to start fixing our roads. In 2008, we reformed the 2005 PUD ordinance that had encouraged much of the premature subdividing we are now stuck with. We continue to refine our development regulations with the aim of never allowing a repeat of the recent disaster. We are working on ordinances and creative programs to mitigate the oversupply of rural lots and to analyze the true costs and impacts of rural development. The entire management team at the county has been dedicated to establishing better management policies, including employee hiring and compensation, an area that consumes a lot of tax money that had been inconsistent in the past. This is only one of many management areas we have improved. Making cultural change is hard, but if I’m returned for a second term, I commit to staying the course so our taxpayers are getting the kind of county operation they deserve.
101 YEARS
Teton Valley News - September 23, 2010 - Page A9
Te t o n C o u nt y A s s e s s o r race Bonnie Beard*
Democrat, Teton County Assessor What are the major issues facing the county? I feel the major issue facing Teton County as well as our country is the economic recession. This has caused a snowball effect in Teton County. With an almost total shutdown of property sales, we now see high unemployment rates, foreclosure, approved subdivisions unable to continue with infrastructure, and vacant homes left to the elements. Citizens who had planned on making Teton County their permanent home have now been forced to move elsewhere, looking for employment and taking with them their families which help to
stimulate the economy of the county. All of this leaving a large burden on the citizens of Teton County. How do you propose to deal with them? While it would seem that having values decrease would lower taxes, unfortunately, that is not how it usually works. With the decrease in the county value, the levies will go up causing an increase in taxes to those values that did not see the decrease that others may have. We are required by the State Tax Commission to determine value by the sales received in the Assessor’s office, which at times can be a challenge to acquire. Idaho is a non-disclosure state meaning a buyer, or seller of property does not have to disclose the sale
Kirk Olsen
Republican, Teton County Assessor
Submission not received.
price to the county. My goal as Assessor is to find those values to determine a fair and equitable value on all property in Teton County. By determining a fair value on all property it will assure that some are not taxed unfairly. We are very grateful to the property owners in Teton County who have been willing to share the sales and agricultural information to determine values for the county. Many long hours are spent determining values, I deeply care about citizens of this valley and the economic struggle so many are facing. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? I feel that it is very important for the citizens of Teton County to have a say on the valuation of their property. To do this we strive to stay in compliance with the State
Tax Commission, and address compliance issues before they become a problem. If the Assessor’s office fails to be in compliance, that gives the state the right to step in and determine a market value with no appeal process for property owners. They also have the right to use county sales tax dollars to pay for their time. As Assessor I would continue to look out for county taxpayers to ensure that they continue to have a say in property values. We welcome taxpayers to come and to discuss their concerns because we feel they are concerns not complaints. There are exemptions such as Homeowners, Agricultural, and Property Tax Reduction that are available to citizens of Teton County that we will continue to help to make citizens aware of. I am employed by citizens of Teton County and ask for your support to continue to work as Assessor for Teton County.
Vote N o v e mb e r 2 , 2 0 1 0
Teton C o u nt y C o u nt y C l e rk r ace Mary Lou Hansen* Democrat, County Clerk What are the major issues facing the county?
In addition, issues more specific to Teton Valley include the drastic decline of the development/construction industry and resulting loss of jobs, and how to stabilize falling real estate values in the face of a considerable oversupply.
on an ongoing basis; understanding and following state and federal laws to issue marriage licenses, liquor licenses and U.S. passports; cooperating with the Assessor, Treasurer, County Commissioners and 13 other county taxing districts to collect tax dollars so that services can be delivered; recording documents according to state statute and preserving those records into the future; making records available to the public in the most user-friendly and costeffective manner possible; providing trained staff to facilitate daily court operations, and assisting the Commissioners as needed. All these duties must be performed with minimal staff and tight budgets.
The major upcoming and consistent issues in the county clerk’s office include conducting two or three elections every year; careful oversight of the county’s budget
How do you propose to deal with them? In the big picture, our major national, state and local challenges can only be resolved if
In the big picture, Teton County’s issues mirror those now found in most parts of the nation: unemployment, decreasing property values, the high cost of medical care and too many foreclosures.
Vote N o v e mb e r 2 , 2 0 1 0
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elected officials and citizens communicate honestly and calmly and treat each other with respect and courtesy. Everyone must believe that others have good intentions and be willing to hear and accept new information. No government can function effectively without the public trust, which can only be gained by consistent honesty, transparency and accountability.
What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued?
On the county level, every elected official and employee needs to work together as a team in order to execute constitutionallymandated duties and successfully deliver services to the public.
Citizens also appreciate having information and public records available via the Internet. The county’s recently-redesigned Web site, which is still being updated, aims to make it easy for citizens to learn how to get an absentee ballot, apply for a passport, or otherwise interact with Teton County government. The Idaho Supreme Court’s repository search feature has saved considerable court staff time while providing access to public court records. The www.courtselfhelp website is also widely used and very successful.
The major issues facing the Clerk’s office will be managed with Efficiency, Accuracy and Transparency. Election information and Absentee Ballot request forms are available on the county’s Web site, along with informative and accurate minutes from Commissioner and other meetings.
Enabling citizens to vote early via absentee ballots has been extremely successful, In November 2008, 51 percent of local voters used an absentee ballot. Electors obviously value the convenience of voting on their own schedule.
Rick Beard Republican, County Clerk
Submission not received. Candidates continued on next page
101 YEARS
Page A10 - September 23, 2010 - Teton Valley News
U n i t e d S tat es S e n at o r Mike Crapo*
less than it takes in. As such, I will support efforts that make debt reduction real and sustainable and that will prioritize and reduce federal spending.
Republican, U.S. Senator What are the major issues facing the state and nation?
ways to put Americans back to work. In addition, we need to stop the out-of-control growth of government and its intrusion into our lives so that government adheres to the Constitution and promotes individual liberty and responsibility. We also need to work for commonsense solutions to protect and properly manage our natural resource heritage.
With so many challenges facing our nation, we must prioritize reducing the federal debt, improving the economy and jobs and ensuring that Americans do not face increasing taxes. Our ballooning federal debt will leave future generations saddled with costs that they cannot bear; we are jeopardizing their futures. We need to keep taxes low and develop policies that encourage job growth. We must end the federal government spending spree and find the best
How do you propose to deal with them? Our highest priority should be to reduce the federal debt and deficit as this will be handed down for generations. Solutions to this mounting problem will not be easy or quick. Simply put, government must spend
Another pressing issue is the number of Americans who are out of work or underemployed. To help resolve this matter, I support increased incentives for job creation through tax policy that provides tax relief. In order to get people back to work, I also support efforts that empower businesses and entrepreneurs, and decrease taxes, federal spending and regulations that burden our economy. Another avenue to stimulate job growth is through alternative energy research and development, including nuclear; I strongly support such efforts. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to
Tom Sullivan
see continued? While there are any number of federal programs that are successful and provide benefits to our society, it needs to be recognized that the federal government has grown much too intrusive and is too farreaching into our private lives and private businesses. I would support efforts to review the functions of many government programs, to ensure that they are meeting the constitutional test of what the federal government should be doing. Among the programs that are appropriate and should be continued: national defense, veterans benefits, Social Security (although it has been poorly managed), Secure Rural Schools/PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) programs and federal research and development efforts in alternative energy and medical research.
Randy Lynn Bergquist
Democrat, U.S. Senator
Conservative, U.S. Senator
Submission not received.
Photo and submission not received.
United Stat es Re p r e se n tat i v e — D ist r i c t 2 Brian Schad
states! What is happening to our land, water, and property is not in the “Spirit” of the laws of our Constitution. This is how I will “press” the issue.
Independent, U.S. Representative – District 2 What are the major issues facing the district/state? The major issues facing our local communities are federal intrusions on our personal lives, our property, our water, and our Idaho lifestyle. When a rancher is unable to continue with the family livestock business, or farmers are unable to till their soil because of an endangered species lurking in the vicinity, problems mount for property owners to meet their debts and payroll. When water falls from the sky, or flows through Idaho, the federal government threatens to claim it as “Waters of the United States” to control who gets immediate access to it. Finally, the federal government is too quick to claim more and more parts of Idaho as federal wilderness (while introducing native and
non-native species) completely overlooking how Idahoans use our own lands for recreational and sporting purposes. This behavior is inconsistent with how our federal government is enumerated to govern, and must be stopped. Currently, Senate Bill S-3663 is floating in the legislative process. The “small print” of this bill will appropriate $900 million for the purchase of private property to be converted into “federal land” — by eminent domain if the federal government has legitimate usage for the “good of the people.” This is ALARMING. How do you propose to deal with them? It will take persistence and perseverance to not only educate the public about the importance of these issues, but our Congress — both House and Senate — must also be educated on these matters of what is happening predominantly in our western
My Navy SEAL background taught me how to strategize and fight efficiently and smart. This is what I continue to do as an independent businessman. If I do not bring in positive results, I’m out of business. Same goes for US Congress — I insist they function within their realm of their proper role of government (as part of “the team”). Each branch of government has its own role in the scope of governance as written in our U.S. Constitution. When Congress votes for any type of intrusion of MY STATE, I will insist on the Constitutionality of the legislation. If no Constitutionality of legislation exists, I will fight to kill the bill utilizing the powers of the Supreme Court if need be. They, too, must be more involved in the process. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? Under the type of limited and small (in size and
scope) of the federal government I visualize, there will be no special programs/policies other than what is mandated under the laws of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights — Social Security and Medicare will be “phased out” over a 20-25 year period and replaced with “volunteer savings and medical accounts” which can be family transferable, passed-down, and free of any tax. I want to be an example how government can give the tools to individuals and families and let them exercise their liberty to do what is best for them. My other intention is for state’s rights to become more prevalent with their own state sovereignty with the programs/policies of THEIR OWN CHOICE as they see fit under state governance. The polices/programs of each state’s choice, whether it be conservative, moderate, or liberal, will be their own state’s prerogative … with 50 to choose from! From the federal view of governance, this is what you should know about me and how I feel about state sovereignty. THANK YOU, Teton Valley News, for the opportunity to allow my Idaho neighbors to be informed about me, and my views concerning Idaho’s future.
Mike Simpson*
Mike Crawford
Republican, U.S. Representative – District 2
Democrat, U.S. Representative – District 2
Submission not received.
Photo and submission not received.
Governor Keith Allred
Democrat, Governor What are the major issues facing the state? Idaho needs to strengthen and diversify its economy and build a stronger system of public schools. While the entire country is struggling because of the bad economy, Idaho has weathered it worse than most states, because we’ve lacked a plan for creating jobs. Idaho small businesses, which are the greatest engine for job creation, have been left to grapple with high tax rates and an executive branch that is more focused on special interests than on improving the lives of everyday Idahoans. We need better strategies for giving Idaho businesses a competitive edge. Making a tough job harder, Butch Otter became the first governor in Idaho history to cut education spending by $128 million. The Idaho Constitution puts education front and center as one of the key priorities of
state government. When Otter chose to cut school funding, he made it that much harder for Idaho school kids to get the good start on the American Dream that they deserve. How do you propose to deal with them? First, we can cut tax rates by closing the special interest tax breaks that don’t make sense. Using the money saved from that can go dollar for dollar into lower taxes to give Idaho small businesses the level playing field they deserve in this tough economy. Second, instead of cutting education like Otter did this year, we should invest in improving education. When you understand what a fundamental priority education is, you find ways to keep it whole. But just spending more money on education won’t make it better. We need spend our education dollar in the most cost-effective way. When we talk about equality in this country,
we don’t mean that we’ll guarantee equal outcomes, we don’t redistribute wealth. What we mean is equal opportunity. And we make good on the American promise of equal opportunity when we say that everyday Idahoans will pay the same, low tax rate as the politically connected. We make good on the American promise of equal opportunity when we give every Idaho school kid, regardless of the circumstances into which they’re born, a great education so that they can become productive in their own right. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? We need to improve the Idaho Tax Commission’s operation, and properly fund it to level the playing field for all Idaho taxpayers. Collecting taxes is one of the most serious responsibilities our government has. For Idahoans to trust our government with that responsibility, we must know that we will be
treated equally before the law. Under Butch Otter, the administration of the tax power has resulted in unequal treatment. We’re seeing evidence of a Tax Commission that grants special deals, and uneven application of our tax laws. Not only are hardworking Idahoans being punished for playing by the rules. Now, Idaho school kids are also paying the price. The commission has been chronically underfunded under Butch Otter’s regime. Some 29 positions have gone unfilled. Because Butch Otter has failed to adequately fund the Idaho Tax Commission, the state is leaving millions of dollars out of the budget, and cutting school funding instead. And Otter has looked the other way while Idaho awards tax exemptions to special interests. For Idahoans to trust their government, we need to make this most fundamental aspect of state power operate in a transparent and efficient fashion.
101 YEARS
Teton Valley News - September 23, 2010 - Page A11
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter* Republican, Governor What are the major issues facing our State? Idaho is poised for great things, including emergence from this worldwide recession sooner and stronger than most other states. But we still have work to do. We need to keep working with the private sector to grow our economy and create more career opportunities through my comprehensive Project 60 initiative. We need to continue becoming more energy independent by focusing on such alternative and renewable sources as wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and nuclear while improving our transmission capabilities to reach every corner of Idaho. We need to give our children and grandchildren the tools they need to succeed by working with the private sector to build world-class public schools and a college and university system second to none. We need to maintain and improve the responsible, stable tax and regulatory structure that businesses need to grow and relocate here. And we must continue resisting the efforts of an aggressively overreaching federal government to spend future generations into deeper and deeper debt while telling us today how to do everything from managing wildlife to providing healthcare. We must continue to be the architects of our own destiny by focusing on limited government and unlimited opportunity for all Idahoans. How do you propose to deal with them? It all starts with jobs. That’s the focus of my Project 60 initiative for growing Idaho’s gross domestic product from $51.5 billion a year to $60 billion a year. The dollars are just a yardstick; the bottom line is creating more career opportunities for Idahoans. I have spent decades opening global markets for Idaho products. I use that experience to help Idaho businesses find more customers. I also conducted statewide summits on helping business, innovation, financing, and small business since the recession hit, and our Department of Commerce is busier than ever fielding inquiries from employers who want to grow or move to Idaho to take advantage
of our business-friendly tax and regulatory policies. In educating tomorrow’s workforce, we’re among the nation’s leaders — not in spending, but in achieving results. The number of schools achieving their Adequate Yearly Progress goals nearly tripled in recent years. Meantime, I directed more than $394 million to insulate public schools from the economic hard times. I helped give local communities the opportunity to create their own community colleges. And I created the Opportunity Scholarship fund, providing $20 million to help qualified Idaho students go on to college right here at home. What currently policies/programs do you see as successful and would like to see continued? I initiated a zero-base budgeting program for all State agencies that’s resulting in substantial savings for Idaho taxpayers by requiring every agency to justify its spending according to its statutory and constitutional missions. I’ll continue my Capital for a Day effort to bring State government to the people of remote and rural communities in every corner of Idaho. It enables citizens to directly question the people whose decisions have an impact on their lives, businesses and communities. The Idaho Education Network effort is about two years away from connecting every high school in Idaho with high-speed Internet capabilities, over which students throughout our state can benefit from world-class educators and courses. That provides more opportunities for students and raises the quality of all our schools. We also are requiring business plans for such service-oriented agencies as the Department of Parks and Recreation to ensure that it is as self-sufficient as possible. And we are consolidating such interagency systems e-mail and phones. That effort alone is saving Idaho taxpayers almost $1 million a year on mail services and $10 million to $30 million a year on information technology expenses. We’re changing the way State government does business, and it’s working.
Pro-Life
Independent, Governor What are the major issues facing the state? The major issues facing Idaho are all moral issues. Our poor economy is a result of our failure to be honest. We steal via the ballot box. We allow pre-born babies to be murdered via abortion. We license occupations, which reduces competition and steals freedom from people looking to start a new occupation. Pornography and sexual immorality are rampant. Selfishness is everywhere. The 10th Commandment, Thou shalt not Covet, pertains to selfishness. How do you propose to deal with them? As governor, I would rule that ‘legal personhood’ begins at fertilization, and I would shut down all baby-
murder centers (abortion clinics). We need to repeal all occupational licensing. The legislature needs to systematically reduce spending on all unconstitutional items such as health, welfare, and recreation. The rest of these above items can only be changed through repentance. If the people Idaho, and our nation, do not give up their selfishness, follow their conscience, and turn to God, we will continue to decline. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? The only thing I can think of that does not need reform would be Idaho Transportation Department. I would like to see public schools phased out. They are a huge, expensive baby-sitting scheme financed by collective theft.
Jana Kemp
Independent, Governor What are the major issues facing the state? The major gap in Idaho and in the Governor’s office is a lack of hands-on leadership to get things done and now to coursecorrect the State’s implementation of laws and the administration of agencies. Taxpayers have communicated with me at meetings, fairs and parades around the state that the major issues are: loss of jobs which is leading to a loss of people’s homes; education cuts that are hurting teachers and students; and the good-old-boy way of doing business that is focused on a small group’s benefits rather than on the well-being of Idaho and us as taxpayers. How do you propose to deal with them? As Governor, I will ask taxpayers and state employees the thousands of difficult budget and performance questions that are needed to hold government accountable for how our tax-dollars are being spent; then I will work with them as the experts they are to find short- and long-term solutions that will improve the state’s budgets and performance achievements. Job creation will be pursued by supporting the brainpower and innovation that is already in Idaho, as well as bringing companies to Idaho that match our values. Educational improvements begin with early childhood education, K-3 classroom sizes being smaller, all teaching and curriculum methods being improved for 21st century students, and getting rid
of No Child Left Behind by the end of my term as Governor. Government business as usual is not working: I will build on my Legislative and community work to make the best better, to hold accountable those who engage in self-serving dealmaking and to uncover truth about all state government operations. Also, as Governor, I will build on my Legislative voting record by being a thorough reviewer of all bills I’ll be asked to sign: and when I veto a bill, everyone will know why. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? Splitting the Department of Commerce from the Department of Labor was an improvement that needs to stand. Continuing to comply with Idaho laws that require a balanced state budget is mandatory. Ever improving public education must be continued because education is a part of our national military defense and a part of our state’s economic well-being. Thanks to great state employees, hundreds of state programs and policies are working well, people are being served in the intended ways and effectively: these are the programs taxpayers don’t hear about because they work well now. For more information about Jana Kemp visit www.VoteKemp.com.
Ted Dunlap
Libertarian, Governor What are the issues facing the state? Four years ago I debated Jerry Brady (D) and Butch Otter (R) for Idaho governor. They were trying to outdo each other spending state money and initiating new programs like the community college. I provided the conservative counterpoint. I observed that the real estate market boom in Idaho was dependent on the markets of the Southeast, Southwest and Pacific Coast USA. At that time, those markets had already died. The influx of out-of-state money into Idaho’s real estate market was about to stop. It was obvious to anyone who was looking, but Butch and Jerry weren’t looking. They were buying votes by promising to spend more money that they assumed would just keep on coming into Idaho coffers forever. Today Butch is seeing recovery just around every corner. Unfortunately, when we round
each “next corner” there is another set of muggers preparing to make our crumbling financial situation even worse. How do you propose to deal with them? The sooner we abandon the Pollyanna view, acknowledge the seriousness of our economic situation and make plans based on what we are really facing, the better off everyone in Idaho will be. There are numerous expenditures the state makes that were added to the budget during times of plenty. They need review, and in many cases, elimination. I am running as a candidate for Idaho governor to get THAT message into the public debate. For more information, see my Web site teddunlap.net. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? Response not submitted. Candidates continued on next page
101 YEARS
Page A12 - September 23, 2010 - Teton Valley News
state r e p r e s e n tat i v e — Se at B Ralph Mossman
Tom Loertsscher*
Democrat, (Local) State Representative—Seat B What are the major issues facing the district? Education. Jobs. Accountability. Education in our state is suffering. Students and parents are discovering they have fewer books available, more students per class, and more supplies that must be purchased out of pocket. Idaho already ranks very low — 49th in fact — in spending per student for public education. Despite what our current legislator is telling us, this does not have to be the case. Jobs are also on everyone’s mind. Our economy is not rebounding from the recession as quickly as other states, and we need to support the engines of job growth in our state — small businesses. Small businesses provide nearly 80 percent of our jobs, and yet they are unfairly burdened by taxes, due to the political influence of large corporations. We need to level the playing field for these critical drivers of our economy. Finally, we simply need better representation in Boise. Unlike my opponent, who shows little interest in truly representing our interests or ideas, I believe in being accessible and transparent to the people of our District. How do you propose to deal with them? Education: I am committed to making the success of our students a top priority, and my endorsement by the Idaho Education Association confirms this fact. I will do this by working with educators to find costeffective solutions for education. I will maintain funding by going after money owed to Idaho, collecting sales tax for mail order and Internet sales, and making economic development a priority. Jobs: If we want to keep more money and jobs in Idaho, we can’t continue to ship raw goods out of the State and import finished goods. We must encourage turning good ideas into successful businesses. I will work
Effective Leadership at work forstrong District 31 at all for that by supporting education levels and freeing up capitalof to House bring good Chairman ideas to market. I will also work to remove State Affairs Committee tax exemptions that make it difficult for small businesses to Leader compete.on Health and Welfare Accountability: I pledge matters to be accessible and transparent to every single citizen Life Member and in this District. I will not kill popular bills without endorsed by the NRA a hearing or make backroom deals hidden Work Horse not show from the public. I will champion the aideas that come from the people who live here, Horse and I will work to represent all citizens, not Making a difference for just large and wealthy special interests. you, and for Idaho What current programs/ policies do you thto see think are successful and would like continued?
Republican, State Representative—Seat B What are the major issues facing the district/ state? Idaho’s State budget will be one of the focal points of the upcoming legislative session. Redistricting willLoertscher be one of the most important Tom “My Commitment the voters issues,tonot thatofthe legislature will District 31 is that I will dedicate be drawing the districts but that myself to representing you effectively, thereI pledge will be an opportunity to have and as always constituent services second to none.” major input on how the legislative districts will be drawn. Tax policy will receive its share of attention especially as there is much discussion of tax increases on the federal level and there is a link to Idaho. Another item that will surely receive attention is the number of inmates there are in our correctional institutions.
Vote May 27 for Tom Loertscher
Idaho has a strong Constitution; I believe it should be honored by our legislators. Idaho’s constitutional requirement for a balanced budget is a good policy, because it keeps the State from spending more than it is able to. However, the current legislature is not honoring the intent of this policy, because it has chosen to balance this year’s budget by paying some bills on next year’s budget. This is fiscally irresponsible for next year’s budget, and it is unfair to the people who will have to wait months to get paid. Another good policy in Idaho’s Constitution is the requirement that the State provide a “uniform and thorough free public education.” Once again, our current administration does not take this seriously enough. Real solutions exist for funding quality education, while keeping the budget balanced. By simply ceasing to cut state services that save money or bring in money and beginning to go after money that is already owed to the State, we can start to powerfully address this challenge. In the end, the best thing about Idaho is its people. We are hard working, independent, resourceful, and caring. The most successful state policies are those that capitalize on this fact.
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How do you propose to deal with them? We should step up our efforts to zero-base agency budgets in an effort to be as efficient and effective in how scarce resources are used. We are facing a budget year in which we have used most of the state’s reserves and we must be careful as we move forward. I am committed to monitoring the Redistricting Commission process very carefully to make sure that District 31 communities of interest are protected. I am also committed to engaging the Commissioners as to what will be the best possible
outcome for our area. Conforming with federal tax policy is usually what we do as changes come from Washington. We have to make sure that there is not an increased burden on our taxpayers as a result of the possible expiration of federal tax cuts. I am committed to holding the line on taxes. We are in need of determining how to better manage our prison population. We should look carefully into those who are serving time beyond their fixed sentences. Savings would be dollars that we could better spend on education. What current programs/policies do you think are successful and would like to see continued? Idaho’s biggest areas of success are our Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts. We are the leader of the nation in our success in these programs and we continue to be innovators in diverting offenders away from prison. This is a double success in that we are also reducing the cost of incarceration as well. It is imperative that this be continued. Idaho ranks among the highest in dealing with the downturn in the economy. That involves a number of issues that maintain our commitments to a balanced budget. It is also a result of our being an attractive place to live and to do business.
Harvest Fair 2010!
Saturday, Sept. 25
10am-Noon Teton Kindergarten Center in Driggs Visit a variety of health care booths • Take advantage of free or discounted services • Low-cost flu shots • Free goodies and raffle prizes! Questions? Please contact us at info@tvhcare.org or call 354-6301