Stivers looks to create state bank to solve budget woes

DeSMET — James Stivers thinks big banks are draining the economic future of Idaho.

If elected to the District 2 senate seat as a Republican, Stivers would push fellow legislators to support a state bank that reinvests in Idaho money collected through state taxes and the interest it earns.

The idea is based on a North Dakota model where in 1919 a state bank was established by legislative action.

“North Dakota has had a state bank for almost a century,” Stivers said.  “Currently, it is the only state in the Union running a budgetary surplus of $1.8 billion.”

Stivers, who faces incumbent Sen. Joyce Broadsword, and candidate Dennis Engelhardt in next week’s primary election, said his idea is a creative and fresh approach to the state’s budgetary woes.

Stivers is a painting contractor, who served as a minister and pastor for several years in northern Illinois and Wyoming.

He and his wife Kay and their children live on 30 acres near DeSmet, preparing the land for organic farming.

Stivers, who lost to Broadsword in the 2008 primaries, said the lack of leadership in the latest economic crisis prompted him to run again

“Idaho needs leadership that will try innovative solutions to get us back on the right track,” he said.

His background as a contractor affords insight that his opponent, Dennis Engelhardt, a former government administrator, does not have, he said.

“He has never worked in the private sector his entire life,” Stivers said.

If elected, he would attempt to minimize regulation of small businesses that require certification to operate, he said.

“I would loosen-up the restrictions on occupational licensing to make it easier for unemployed people to start home-based businesses,” he said.

His opponent, Joyce Broadsword, he said, supported a measure that would have further regulated daycare providers.

“They would have had to qualify, or work under the radar,” he said. “There is too much government involvement for small business. We need more freedom.”

In addition, if elected Stivers said he would further efforts to supports property rights in the state.

“I would protect the property rights of Idahoans by rolling back state agencies such as Panhandle Health,” he said. “I don’t believe agencies such as Panhandle Health should be dictating to people what they can and can’t do with their property.”

Legislation limiting the agency’s mandates over private property in some cases was adopted in the 2010 session.

Stivers, who considers himself a progressive Republican, said being reprimanded by Republicans on his home turf of Benewah County, supports his campaign of being an independent voice who would listen to constituents over the party line.

“The Republican party establishment has tried to control me, but they can’t,” he said. “If I am elected, I won’t have to answer to party bosses or special interest groups. I will answer directly to the voters.”

Finding better solutions to the state’s economic problems would be his top priority if elected, said Stivers.

“Idaho needs to develop a safety net and a home-grown economic program that has sustainable independence of the federal government, he said. “I believe a state bank is the first step toward that objective.”