Jessica Chilcott

1: I made the decision to run for office when I became frustrated by the State of the Idaho mental health system. Changes were made in late 2013 that I believe have harmed children and families in Idaho while making access to necessary care for some of our most vulnerable harder to obtain.

2: I have spent ten years as a social worker in Idaho. I have primarily worked as a case manager. That position involves listening to clients and community partners to locate solutions and resources. The profession is based on ethical practice and promoting the best outcome possible for families. This role also involves a significant amount of advocacy. District 7 needs an advocate. District 7 needs a problem solver.

3. District 7 is a large and diverse area. Even within that there are areas where the needs of the different communities are similar.

We need to improve investment in education across the district and the state. We need economic development that is diverse and brings good jobs to our communities. To support these goals we need to support infrastructure investments that will allow small businesses from Rig-gins to Smel-ter-ville to Coco-lalla access to digital and transportation resources to allow their organizations to thrive.

4. These are issues that need to be addressed through cooperation. If the economic development organization in an area proposes a program how can the Legislature support that? We need to look at the finding a solution to the funding backlog in the transportation budget. One way we can support development in the State is to fully fund our public education system.

5. I want to be remembered as a legislator who worked hard for her district.

6. 1. Fully funding the public education system.

2. Supporting collaborative land use policy for our public lands.

3. Fully evaluating whether the privatization of public services is actually adding value for our citizens and how the contracting process can be improved to protect our citizens and our investment.

7. 1. We need to evaluate the tax policies that have created the funding problems for our schools. We can no longer allow legislators who will say that they are cutting taxes at the state level while every year we have to increase taxes at the local level to ensure that our schools are able to keep the doors open.

2. Models exist in Idaho and in the region for collaborative programs that are successful. We are able to find solutions we just need to be willing to work together.

3. The Office of Performance Evaluation has looked at issues in contracting throughout the State. Whether we are talking about the IEN network, the contract with the Corrections Corporation of America or the contract with Optum, recommendations have been made that will strengthen the contracting process to ensure that the health and safety of Idahoans while preventing us from becoming involved in protracted legal battles.

8. There are a variety of tasks involved in being a Legislator, committee and floor hearings, constituent services, research and reading.

9. I look forward to the conversations. I have been able to meet so many people while running and being able to actually make a difference for them is something to look forward to.

10. Each community has their own challenges. The Legislature can support capacity building and resiliency through some policy and spending decisions. I think the fact remains that no Legislator can work alone. Being effective means earning the respect of colleagues, so that you can effect change, and constituents, so that you can stay to do the work.

11. This will be difficult to answer until we enter the general election.

12. In 2014 I had people who wouldn’t even speak to me because I am a Democrat. I think that people make a lot of assumptions based on party affiliation that are not necessarily true or helpful.

13. I would voters to vote in an informed way. Take the time to learn about the issues and the candidates.

14. I think every candidate needs to be asked how they feel about campaign finance reform. As we have seen with the recent initiative petition that was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office this is something that Idaho voters care about. While Idaho Legislators cannot necessarily effect change at the Federal level we can make changes to support Campaign reform that ensures that our elections are fair. There are changes we can make to ensure that campaigns are transparent. If we think about the robocalls made during the Sandpoint Mayoral race, is that how we want politics in Idaho to look? Stronger Sunshine laws would have a net positive effect on our elections.