Idahoans rely on effective local governments. First responders and law enforcement keep our communities healthy and safe. Adequate roads allow residents to arrive at their destinations without harm. Libraries provide opportunities for enrichment and job training. And our courts protect our constitutional right to due process. Unfortunately, state policies and market forces are making it extremely difficult for local governments …
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Our criminal justice system is intended to ensure there is an appropriate penalty associated with crime. We refer to this as paying one’s debt to society. However, under some of Idaho’s current laws, the payment never seems to stop. Our courts assign formal penalties, like prison time, probation and fines, but these can often be the least of a former …
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I visit with my District 15 constituents at their door nearly every day to stay current with what concerns them the most. The top two issues almost everyone brings up are education funding and managing growth. Both issues are impacted by a common underlying concern – fiscal management. How can legislators fund the state’s future needs without continually reaching into …
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When I was running for office in 2018, I frequently talked about improving education at all levels in Idaho. People all over Benewah and Latah counties consistently told me that they wanted to improve K-12 education and asked that the state pay a larger and fair share for education, especially for facilities. Since I have been in office, I have …
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Idaho is a very popular place to live and, as a result, it is at the top of the fastest-growing states in our nation. Many Idaho cities are experiencing unprecedented population influxes, and there’s no sign that is going to change anytime soon. With more people comes a larger demand on all of our resources and infrastructure. Preparing for the …
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The average teacher graduating with their bachelor’s degree is taking on over $26,000 in student loan debt. If a teacher decides that they want to go on to pursue a master’s degree, there is significantly more debt. With those levels of student debt, a brand-new Idaho teacher looks at payments between $200-$400 a month. On a salary of around $40,000 …
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