Kate McAlister

1. North Idaho needs a representative focused on the job here in Idaho. Idahoans need to be the priority. I believe we need leadership based on common-sense solutions, not partisan or ideological convictions to bring balance to our political process. We deserve good government and a representative who will take all of us into consideration and represent all of North Idaho.

2. My life experiences, professional expertise, skills, political philosophy and understanding of the issues uniquely qualify me to represent our North Idaho community. I have a successful career in business management that I know I can lev-erage to create rational solutions to the problems faced by Idaho and District 1. I am experienced in bringing people together to create innovative solutions to complex problems.

3. Education — Lack of funding for providing opportunities for post-high school and beyond, creating workforce ready employees. We are 49th in the nation for spending per student and this is unacceptable. We need to give our children and grandchildren hope for a better future.

Economy – Economic development promoting free enterprise and growth to keep the Bonner and Boundary economy moving forward, not back. We need to continue to support a business climate that retains and grows new jobs and an educational system that creates work-force ready employees.

Public Lands – Public Lands need to stay in public hands. Turning over the management to the state is not the answer for the health of our forests and natural resources. This would cost taxpayers millions for fire suppression and other costs.

4. Edu-cation — I want to help work on innovative ways to ac- complish the State Board of Edu-ca-tion’s goal that 60 percent of young Idahoans will hold an industry-recognized credential, certificate or degree. Currently, in our region we have Panhandle Alliance for Education and P-TECH to move our kids toward better jobs and industry-recognized credentials. These type of programs need to be expanded throughout the state and we need to fund education to 2017 levels.

Economy – Keep working on growing our economy and supporting local business by being involved and listening to business owner concerns. Increase my involvement in educational opportunities for our area to keep our local talent pipeline full of work-force ready employees.

Public Lands – Support the efforts of participants, Federal, State and Industry, in the Good Neighbor Authority to keep our forests and watersheds healthy and sustainable. For sportsmen, families and all outdoor enthusiasts to be able to enjoy these beautiful places.

5. I worked on behalf of EVERYONE in my district. I listened, I showed up, I was fair, I collaborated and worked with my peers, and my passion for the North Idaho community was apparent. It’s about all of us working together to help all Idahoans. I will represent all N. Idahoans, even those who disagree with me. We all deserve representation.

6. I have talked with a number of constituents on both sides of this issue and these are my findings. I am leaning toward yes.

• Adds a process to the constitution that is occurring with most agencies today.

• Allows final review of rules that result from laws by the legislature that created the law

• Final review is by a body that citizens elect every two years instead of appointed committees

7. Absolutely not. The Idaho constitution states:

“it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.

Currently we do not uniformly maintain a thorough system of public, free common schools and the responsibility has fallen on local communities to come up with the funding to move our schools forward. One way to provide more funding to education is to look to the ‘rainy day’ funds. Increasing educational funding will help decrease our taxes we pay towards the passed levies and bonds.

8. No. Currently in Idaho we have 2,375 bridges, over 20 feet, and 702 are over 50 years old. These bridges need to be replaced and our roads need to be maintained. The legislature voted on a two year increase in gas taxes and vehicle registration, which will sunset soon, and this brought in an additional $96 million to complete projects. This still left the state with a $165 million deficit for maintenance and preservation.

Roads are vital to our local industries such as timber, aerospace and all businesses in North Idaho. We are a rural market and roads and bridges are imperative to our economy. Bringing product to and from markets. Road projects also are good for creating local jobs.

9. No. Idaho constitution says: “The people of the state of Idaho do agree and declare that we forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries thereof …”

It’s not as simple as changing hands, it would change the dynamics completely.

1. Taxpayers would take a big hit having to pay $169 million in fire suppression for the additional 32 million acres.

2. Idaho Counties would lose appx $28.6 million in federal payments in lieu of taxes

3. Sportsman, recreationalists are very concerned lands would be sold and they would lose their access.

10. Those who fall in the commonly referenced ‘gap’ are hard- working people in jobs like; food service, entertainment, call centers, day care providers, and construction workers. We also have approximately 3800 veterans who fall in the gap, along with 1200 spouses.

If Idaho closed the gap we would see $132 million in savings from eliminating county indigent programs and $176 million in savings from eliminating the state catastrophic fund. BGH pays out hundreds of thousands of dollars for indigent care each year.

AND by 2020 closing the gap would create 13,626 jobs statewide, generate $2.5 billion in wages, and we would have $216 million in new state and local revenues. Closing the gap will also prevent Idaho businesses from facing $12-$18million annually in avoidable tax penalties.

11. Absolutely. Stimson is a long-time employer in N. Idaho and a leader in the timber industry. As private landowners they have the right to do what they see fit with their property. Putting Clagstone Meadows in conservancy is good for the timber industry and timber jobs as well as being another great place sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy. It’s a win-win for everyone.

12. There is a lack of funding for providing opportunities for post-high school and beyond, creating workforce ready employees. Idaho needs innovative ways to accomplish the State Board of Education’s goal that 60 percent of young Idahoans will hold an industry-recognized credential, certificate or degree.

Currently working with local businesses, educators and institutions to create viable working solutions for people of all ages to gain post-high school education and training that will qualify them for better paying jobs. Addressing both the low living wages issue and education. If you get up every day and go to work, work hard all day, you shouldn’t have to worry about tomorrow. We need to give people hope again.

13. Again, I feel it is the lack of educational funding and creating work-force ready students. With cuts to vo-tech classes we lack training for most blue collar jobs. America was built on blue collar jobs and we need to bring back training for those who would like other educational options.

14. In the questionnaire prior to the Primary I said I would be criticized for 1. Being a Democrat and 2. Being a part of the Angels Over Sandpoint Follies. Both have happened.

As to being a Democrat, like many of you, I am a product of my upbringing. I have been called a ‘blue dog Democrat’* for most of my life and I have always voted for the candidate who exhibited leadership and voted for the good of those they represent. I voted for Senator Keough (and continue to vote for her), George Eskridge and Eric Anderson every time they ran.

As to my participation in the Angels Over Sandpoint Follies; I am proud of the work we have done as part of the overall fundraising goals. Our organization has -$0- overhead, meaning we the volunteers do all the work. In 17 years we have given away over $1.3 million dollars to those in need in Bonner County and filled over 12,000 backpacks for school children, helped those who needed assistance with utilities in the winter, gave scholarships to those who were starting their lives over, started a dental program helping veterans and others, gave funding to the only Womens Shelter in the county, helped pay for gas for those going to chemo treatments and on and on. I am proud to be an Angel.

**A Blue Dog Democrat is one who views themselves as being in the middle of the partisan spectrum and as an advocate for fiscal restraint at the federal level

15. By 2020 Idaho will be 45,000 workers short to fill open jobs. Although we continue to have people move here, the majority who do are 65 and over. This demographic indeed adds to our economy by purchasing goods and services and being active in our communities, but most are not going to re-enter the workforce. We still need people to fill the open jobs we have and we don’t have the population to do so. As a legislature we need to work on making sure we have industry recognized credential programs in order for our industries to fill their open positions. Even our local sawmills rely on technology to keep their businesses moving forward. I will continue to work with local schools and programs supporting industry recognized credentials.

16. What does leadership mean to you?

If I am honored by your vote and elected Representative for District 1, I pledge to focus on the issues of our state as defined by the Constitution of the Great State of Idaho and the United States.

A leader takes in all information and makes the best decision affecting those they represent. An effective leader knows it’s not about sides, it’s about coming together and creating solutions based on broad input from all concerned, representing even those who disagree with us. We need a leader who will collaborate with other legislators in our district to move North Idaho forward.