FREEDOM - Idahoans are fiercely independent. We believe in freedom and liberty. Yet, our legislature creates layers of rules and restrictions that exert control inappropriately. They put forward bills to appease a vocal minority at the expense of the rest of us. They've gone after our libraries. They want to give the state the power to sue our local leaders. Many of the bills provide little value, lead to costly lawsuits, spawn confusion. and limit your freedom. You and I - the taxpayers - pay the cost of the lawsuits and ambiguity.
I'll write and support clean, transparent bills that don't put inappropriate decisions into the hands of government or the few.
ECONOMY - Bonner and Boundary counties are fueled by the middle class and small- and mid-sized businesses. Our approach to economic growth and taxes must encourage healthy, sustainability. Most of the legislation at the state level either shifts or increases the burden to local county and city taxes rather than actually reducing our taxes. Returning money to taxpayers as property tax reductions sounds great, unless we end up paying that same money or more at the local level where there are fewer tax payers to share the costs.
I'll work to ensure that this economy builds a strong middle class and supports our local businesses.