Stability and Security:

We must make sure that there are sources of income here to stay and that they do not run out until there are other sources or methods to replace them. An economy must be self-stimulating.  

We have to create infrastructure for opportunities to flourish and protect something for our children and future generations to inherit. Infrastructure creates stability. Stability is a prelude to peace

Investment from outside our state is important whether it’s an individual looking to open a small business or outside investors looking to invest in our area. We need fresh investment that considers local concerns. When one individual has a monopoly on investment in our area a stranglehold of economics of the area is inevitable.

·        We need to create opportunity, self-ingenuity and an optimistic future for Idaho.

·        Promote and encourage economic self-sufficiency, self-ingenuity and overall employment opportunities.

·        We must create long-term sustainable growth beyond a short-term fix.

·        Short-Term gain must not be at the expense of stability.

·        We need to make sure that we create an income base that is long lasting and stable whether it is tourism, agriculture products, service or other. It is also important that we maintain the resources in which our economic livelihood is reliant on.

Tourism and Exports:

Let’s face it; Northern Idaho’s majority exports are environmentally related industries (agriculture, tourism, forest products and recreational activities). While Idaho’s main export is agriculture, Northern Idaho’s exports are tourism and forest related products. Exports are the main component to the bread and butter supporting the middle class and building the upward mobility of the middle class. Outsourcing is destroying this. We must create opportunities for Idaho’s citizens and greater opportunity to establish need and reliance for Idaho’s products.

·        Create additional Idaho tourism and export opportunities that benefit all whenever and wherever possible to create stability and long-term income. 

·        Next to agriculture and forestry Idaho’s major export is tourism. Northern Idaho’s economy is built on it. The object, is keep North Idaho’s natural beauty while allowing responsible growth providing sources of livelihood.

·        Recreational activities and access are not only important economically but encourage social and physical health as well and are expected by residents on North Idaho.

·        People come here to enjoy the natural beauty. Scenic parks and trails are not only for Idahoans to enjoy but also encourage a tourism economy and ultimately, conservation. We need to create access to those areas while at the same time preserve and not destroy that natural beauty. It is important to protect those untouched areas while at the same time not jeopardize the livelihood of citizens who depend on it.

·        Promote “Made In Idaho” products and services in state controlled offices and institutions.

·        We need more contracts with in-state vendors for services provided by and within the State of Idaho.

·        Encourage responsible Idaho exports and tourism that benefit all and create stability and long-term income. 

·        More exports to foreign lands not only benefit us economically, but breeds “good will” as well. It also contributes to closing our nations trade deficit.

·        We also need to search out opportunities for North Idaho exports and industries when and wherever possible.

Renewable Industry:

The need and demand for resources can only increase with population growth and development. The best way to protect environmental resources is to create and develop alternative and renewable resources.

One example is that approximately 1/3 of new steel is produced from recycled materials. I foresee Idaho being the main processing center for recycled wood pulp products (paper, cardboard, pressboard, to name a few). With ever-increasing environmental laws and concerns, higher post consumer content products and sources for paper products are being sought.

If we want more financially and ecologically sound energy and materials we must meet the industry with the need. Various support of these types of industries are most beneficial in creating environmental stability and economic security.

We need to spur the renewable industry not only for economic opportunity, but also for environmental conservation. We need to help establish Idaho as a major manufacturing processing/export center from metals, plastics, to wood pulp/fibers by helping to stimulate industries and eliminate state taxes on various aspects of recycled materials. The more recycled material we utilize the less environmental harm we inflict. Let us explore ways we can promote businesses to be environmentally responsible while being fiscally sound.

Tax incentives for ecologically produced and recycled wood pulp/fibers, materials used in farming, from fertilizer to methane produced from bio-waist, among other materials, would be a “financial boost” for Idaho’s struggling mills and other economies as well as more efficient use of resources. We need to work on eliminating state taxes on every aspect of renewable energy and renewable products from the collection of raw materials to processing to point of sale on all consumer and business products made from recycled metals to plastics and organic material/fibers.

Additional tax breaks on products and processes that produce paper products with more biodegradable hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine processes.

Explore ‘cost of living’ solutions:

Give all Idahoans something more to look forward to than living paycheck to paycheck. The average hardworking citizen of North Idaho and the Coeur d’ Alene Area is increasingly finding it more and more difficult to meet basic needs. Education and self-reliance is a vital key in preserving the middle class. Idaho is not providing enough sufficient education and employment opportunities for its citizens and children, and needs to search out and implement solutions to these problems. There are those who are afraid that the opportunity for self-reliance is fading.

The Future Workforce:

We need to create education and/or training to create future self-reliance. The future of self-reliance and opportunity is in the present. The higher the educational level a child has the further they will go in life equating to a higher quality of life.

Our most valuable and greatest assets for the future are what our children can create. Education is the first line of defense in preparing the future leaders of tomorrow. Idaho’s future depends on affordable college, education, apprenticeship, technical, vocational and/or job training for reliable job markets for workers of all ages who want or need it. We deserve and need to keep the most qualified and talented personnel. Lets not only educate the best and brightest but keep them in Idaho. We have to create infrastructure for opportunities to flourish and for our children to protect something for future generations to inherit

A proper education is the best offense to break the “Cycle of Poverty”. We need to create opportunities that stop the burden on the welfare systems while creating self-worth. We need the welfare system not to be just a check. We need to give citizens an honest opportunity to support themselves; or at least make a contribution.

Currently, over 1/3 of school-aged children in Coeur d’ Alene School District 271 qualify for some or all assisted lunch. Idaho is not providing enough sufficient education and employment opportunities for its’ citizens and children. We need to search out and implement solutions to these problems. This is why we are afraid that the opportunity for self-reliance is fading.

We have to create an environment where people not only feel safe but are optimistic toward the future. We must prevent our children from “giving-up” on the future. Not only do we need to encourage our children’s educational pursuits; we need to assist them as well, (whether it’s more public or private involvement). We must give all of our children a legitimately equal chance to succeed. Giving our children additional benefits or opportunities to be self-sufficient or succeed is the sign of any just society. We must give our children the ability to explore, pursue and create to the best of their potential.

While in office our group intends on improving the “Quality of Life” for everyone, not just a select few; by creating opportunity and infrastructure along with educational and job training opportunities that promote an atmosphere of self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-ingenuity and an optimistic future for all of our citizens. This is why it is important to campaign for raising and improving opportunities and a healthy environment.

We do not believe in handouts, however, a hand-up needs to be genuine and given to all workers. The opportunity for self-improvement must be offered to all. A future must be guaranteed to all. Make sure the young adults have equal chance to access of a higher education. This is specifically important to individuals from low-income households to become self-sufficient. We want to give younger generations opportunities that may be out of reach for them. We must also insure that we do not neglect those students who have the ability to succeed and see that they are given the opportunity to do so.

Giving our children additional benefits or opportunities to be self-sufficient, succeed and the ability to explore, pursue and create too the best of their full potential is the sign of any just society. We need to make sure everyone has the opportunity to better themselves with some form of higher education or training. Not only do we need to encourage our children’s educational pursuits; we need to assist them as well, (whether it’s more public or private involvement). We must give all of our children a legitimately equal chance to succeed. Everyone, in one way or another, has a special talent. If you bring out their best ability you bring out their best potential. We must also insure that we do not neglect those students who have the ability to succeed and see that they are given the opportunity to do so. What talents or discoveries could be lost if the do not have the chance to flourish.

If we want our children to be competitive and self-sufficient in the world of the 21^st century, we have to supply our work forces with the tools and skills needed. Idaho needs affordable education, apprenticeship or job training and reliable job markets for workers of all ages. Let us not only educate and create opportunity to keep the best and brightest future talents to stay in Idaho, but also a work base that brings quality jobs. We deserve and need to keep the most qualified and talented personnel. Create opportunity, self-ingenuity and an optimistic future for Idaho.

We need to devote more resources to our children’s futures if we wish them to complete effectively in the world of tomorrow. We need the higher educational levels to be set-up more like college where the basics are still met but specialties can be promoted. We need to ease the student transition not only from school to school but from school to the work force. The jobs of today are not the jobs of yesterday. Today we need to train specialists for tomorrow. We need to accommodate the training of specialists in addition to the basics of education. There is the preconceived notion that schools in America are ineffective and have a hard time proving their worth to some students. It is important to give the students the ability to explore their full potential or utilize any special talent they may have which again, in many ways, could explain dropout rates. Therefore, investment in an educational system is an investment in the future. Let’s invest in the future generations. Let us invest in people. Prepare the future with affordable education.

·       It is very important that people be exposed to a variety of other people and ideas early in life. People that are exposed to a lot of differences tend to be more socially adjusted in life and are able to get along and work with others more efficiently.

·       Encourage affordable college, technical or vocational training and partnerships with business for all of those who want and/or need it.

·       Ease the student transition not only from school to school, but from school to the work force.

·       We need to devote more resources to prepare and educate our childrens’ futures and society in general if we wish them to complete effectively in the world market of tomorrow.

·       We must prepare our children for the competitive world market of the future. Let’s pass educational reform to actually prepare our children for the competitive world work force of the 21^st Century and market of tomorrow. Let’s invest in the future.

·       Ensure adult learning and training centers that are able to meet the community needs of the 21^st Century.

·       Create incentives for corporations and businesses to apprentice, train and hire individuals entering the work force In Northern Idaho.

Small Business and Self-Employment:

We need to increase investment and empowerment opportunities for citizens to create small business, sole-proprietorships, and self-employment. Many of the people that live in North Idaho are self-employed and are proud of being self-reliant. We need to make it easier for small business owners and sole proprietorships to not only remain employed, but also become more profitable.