Issues
Second Amendment
Protecting and strengthening our right to keep and bear arms is always a priority for me. I am a leader in the legislature on the Second Amendment and work on and carry most of the gun bills in the Senate. I work closely with the NRA on legislation and also build consensus among fellow legislators, gun advocates and law enforcement groups. I am endorsed by the NRA and am an NRA A+ rated legislator. I worked on and carried the Stand Your Ground legislation that moved Idaho up from No. 17 to No. 2 in Guns and Ammo Magazine’s list of most gun friendly states. This last session I worked with the NRA and passed legislation ensuring that firearm businesses and commerce are considered essential businesses if an emergency is declared by the Governor and that the government may not commandeer lawfully used and possessed firearms during such an emergency.
Agriculture
My first real jobs as a youth were in Agriculture. I have served previously as a Canyon County Commissioner and understand the importance of Ag at the local level. As a Senator I understand the key role AG plays in our economy at the state level. I have been recognized as an Ag All Star in the legislature 9 times by the Idaho Food Producers. I am endorsed by Idaho Farm Bureau AgraPac.
Infrastructure
I believe in investing in our transportation infrastructure to make sure our roads and bridges are safe and Idaho goods and commodities can make it to market. Idaho continues to be a growing state and our infrastructure is being stressed and is wearing out. Last session we invested $200 million for bridge repair in Idaho, another $200 million for road maintenance split 60/40 between the state and local governments and another $100 million for new road construction. Because of prudent financial management we were able to fully fund these transportation needs with no new taxes.
Supporting Our First Responders
I serve as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee so have the opportunity to support our law enforcement officers and address criminal justice issues. I have resisted liberal efforts to soften penalties for drug traffickers in Idaho. I have also worked on legislation this session that provides for effective peer to peer counseling that will help reduce the tragically high suicide rates among our first responders. I also worked on and carried legislation that will enable our first responders to support strong retirement benefits for those first responders critically injured in the line of duty. I am endorsed by the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and the Idaho Professional Fire Fighters Association. I was awarded legislator of the year by the Idaho Chiefs of Police in 2019 and 2021 and by the Fraternal Order of Police in 2019 and 2022. I am endorsed by the Sheriffs from Ada, Canyon and Owyhee Counties.
A Strong Idaho Economy
Creating an environment where individuals and businesses can thrive also a constant priority for me as a Senator. We accomplish this through tax relief, less government regulation and investing in infrastructure and education. We need a strong economy to help Idahoans survive the Biden administration and their policies that are causing rising inflation and supply chain issues similar to the Jimmy Carter administration.
Education
This is the foundation of economic growth and individual opportunity. We approved and passed an 11%+ increase for K- 12 education funding for this year and a nearly 6% increase in higher education funding. Included in this appropriation was a critical piece of legislation that tackled K-12 literacy funding for school districts to use for early literacy programs that kept the choice at the local school district level.
Tax Relief
Three of the last four years we passed record tax relief in the Idaho Legislature. This tax relief we passed last session was the largest in Idaho History. This record-breaking tax cut included $251 million in ongoing tax relief. We consolidated and simplified the tax brackets from five to four. The four brackets will see retroactively lowered rates of 1%, 3%, 4.5% and 6%. We lowered the income tax rate to 6% and provided a one-time $350 million tax rebate based on your 2020 personal income tax. There is still substantial work to do on property tax relief. This year I carried the legislation that provides 34 million in personal property tax relief. I support repeal of the grocery tax. There may be other methods to provide such tax relief to Idahoans and not out of state travelers.
Right to Life
I regularly work on and carry pro life legislation in the Senate. I carried the trigger legislation that makes abortion immediately illegal when the US Supreme Court returns the power to the States regarding abortion. I supported the fetal heartbeat bill passed this session. I am endorsed by Idaho Chooses Life and this year received their cumulative Friend for Life Award for my pro life work in the Senate.