As an Idaho Legislator I will never vote to overturn, repeal, or otherwise substantially alter any law enacted by the People through the exercise of their Initiative Rights. To pass an Initiative a majority of the Idaho voters must vote in favor of the Initiative at a general election in November. In the last presidential election over 450,000 Idaho voters cast ballots. For a legislative body of 105 legislators to ignore THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE and repeal a PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE is wrong.

The legislature must debate issues in committees and on the floor, not in closed caucuses. As a Legislator I will submit a resolution against any closed caucuses when a party has a super majority. When the citizens of Idaho have trusted a political party enough to give the party a super majority the party must trust the people enough to conduct the people's business in open sessions not behind closed doors.

The percentage of General fund money going to public schools has steadily decreased. In 1987, 52.3% of the General Fund budget was for Public School. For the 2003 budget year this percentage has decreased to 46.8% of the general budget. This trend should be reversed. Rightfully we are mandating more accountability of our public school systems. More accountability should also create more efficiency and could help to stretch the taxpayers dollars. But at the same time we must develop technology programs if Idaho students are to compete in our hi-tech society.

Many of Idaho's Limited English Proficiency Students are falling behind in academic achievement. This problem must be addressed, as many of these students become dropouts and many of these dropouts become either Heath & Welfare recipients or Correctional Department inmates. If we promote projects that will keep these students from becoming dropouts the odds are that they will become self-sufficient citizens instead of being part of the Health & Welfare or Correctional Department costs.

In the next ten years The USA and Idaho will experience a teacher shortage if we do not increase the number of college student that are entering the teaching profession. More good students will enter the teaching profession if teacher salaries are increased. Idaho should strive to be above average in teacher's compensation packages.

As a voter I have never voted against a school bond and as a voter I have always felt the super majority (66 2/3 %) for passage of a school bond was wrong. As a legislator I will work to change this. Even with a reduced majority and state supported interest rates some areas with a small tax bases may still have difficulties in supplying adequate facilities. Is it time to consider some type of 'circuit breaker' state help to these areas.?

All of these items will require funding. Public education funding cannot take any more 'hits' like it took during this legislative session.

In 1983, 15.8 % of the general fund budget was for Higher Education. For the 2003 budget year this percentage has decreased to 10.8%. Higher Education, either in the technical education fields or in the college degree fields, is becoming a necessity for high paying jobs in our hi-tech society. We must do a better job providing higher education to college students at a reasonable rate. To do so will require commitments from both the private sector and the public sector of our society.

In 1983, 2.1% of the general fund budget went to the Adult and the Juvenile Correctional Departments. In 2003, this percentage has increased to 7.4% of the general fund. As a society we must change this trend. As a legislator I will l strive to form a standing committee that will work with the Correction's Board, The Governor's Office, The Court System and Law Enforcement. The objective will be to focus on every segment of the Correctional Department and analyze where we could do better at a reduced cost. It seems that many first time offenders are becoming repeat offenders. Should we look at isolating all first time offenders that have not committed a violent act from the rest of the inmates? Why has sentences to hard labor been discontinued? Why has the growing of food supplies by inmates been discontinued? If prison time were "tough time" would there be fewer repeat offenders? Could laws be changed to reduce the numbers of items that are considered cruel and unusual punishment? Can we expand alternate type sentencing? These and other items could be debated to reduce costs and the number of inmates.

In 1987 11.95 % of the general fund budget went to Health and Welfare. In 2003 this has increased to 18.3% of the general fund. It is my understanding that the Health & Welfare Department is in the process of a total in house review. I want to study their review. My objective is too fulfill the requirements of Idaho citizens at the least cost to the Idaho taxpayer. A legislative standing committee may be required. Some items for review are as follows: It is my understanding that often the rigid qualifying requirements can add cost to the department and require the recipient to have unnecessary and unproductive treatment or classes. A Recipient's Advocate could analyze these situations and write 'change orders' which would allow for the best and most economical treatment? Are individuals who are interested in adoptions holding back because of the high adoption costs? It would cost Health & welfare a lot less to participate in adoption cost than paying for years of foster care. Is Health & Welfare purchasing recipients prescription at the least possible cost? These items could be considered stating points, as a study will most likely reveal more items.

Governor Kempthorne and I both have signed the New Term Limits Initiative and I will vote yes on the New Term Limits Bill.

I totally support Indian Gaming. Prior to retiring I was Western Division Manager for Antigo Construction, Inc. The Western Division covers eleven western states. During this time, I had the opportunity to observe Indian Gaming in numerous states. The Indian Tribes in Idaho and the other western states can be proud of the job they are doing. Besides creating jobs for themselves they are also creating jobs for rural communities and they are wisely investing their profits into good community projects. I have signed the Indian Gaming Initiative and I will vote yes for the Indian Gaming Initiative Bill.

I firmly believe when there is a heart beat, there is life.

Highway transportation is the life-blood of Idaho's economy. We must at least retain our present level of state, county and city highway construction. State and county user fees funds and Federal Highway Highway funding supply the majority of funds used for highway construction. I am a firm believer in user fee funding and I am opposed to user fee funding being directed to other uses.

I can remember when the Fish and Game was not swayed by special interests. The department's purpose should be to supply good fishing and hunting for the sportsman who finance the department. I believe the Fish & Game Initiative is the right step forward. I have signed the Fish & Game Initiative.

Public use of Public Lands is steadily decreasing due to restriction being imposed by governmental agencies and lawsuits by different organizations. Ten to fifteen years ago when I first heard of the Wildlands Project, I thought this concept was so far out that it was ridiculous. The Wildlands Project advocates that the area from the Rocky Mountain front extending from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and the Western Slope of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the Canadian border to the Mexican border shall be Wildlands. The definition of Wildlands is that except for isolated areas of human population in valley locations all land will be for the free roaming of wild species including wolves, all bears including grizzly bears, coyotes, cougars, buffalo, desert turtles, birds, etc.

According to Range magazine, environmentalists attending a meeting in Reno, Nev. last year said that when the sage hen is added to the endangered species list, the sage hen would become the spotted owl of the western range land. If the sage hen is classified as an endangered species, the Wildlands Project could become a reality.

Will the time come when we no longer have multiple use of places like the Stanley Basin? Can you picture the Stanley Basin without campgrounds and other recreation facilities? Ten to fifteen years ago I thought it would be impossible, but now I'm not so sure. I know this is not what I want to leave for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I will continually work to retain multiple use of our Public Lands.

The Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights gives us the Right to Bear Arms and I will protect this right