Jordan pays visit to Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — Paulette Jordan's grandfather was an inspiration in her life, including her drive to become governor of Idaho.

"My granddad was always that connection for me, especially when it comes to our land, our state, and being responsible citizens and good stewards," Jordan said.

Jordan is the Democratic nominee for Idaho governor and a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. If elected, she would be the first woman and the first Native American to serve as the governor of Idaho.

She served two terms in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2014-2018. Jordan paid a visit to North Idaho on Friday, addressing a packed room at the East Bonner County Library District, where she spoke about the election, her campaign and some of her aspirations should she become governor.

Education is one topic addressed by Jordan as she said she believes more money and resources should be invested in Idaho public schools to raise teacher salaries, hire more teachers and retain teachers.

"Without teachers in the classroom the first day of school — can you imagine that — schools opening up the first day and teachers are not available," Jordan said. "There are not enough to go around in the state. We have less and less."

While she previously voted no on repealing grocery tax, Jordan said she supports it as long as there is a plan attached to the initiative so it will not hurt the education budget. Her plan to make up for the $80 million shortfall, she said, is to decriminalize marijuana as it costs money to send people through the legal system.

During the question-and-answer period, Jordan said she is about cutting taxes for working families, and that she is about "the people" and not the corporations.

"I promote local autonomy," she said. "I want to shift back local control to local cities and towns, which is what I think a better way to market and a better way to operate our government."

She was asked if she would reform the criminal justice system if elected. Jordan said her plan is to reform Idaho's justice system as more than 50 percent of people sent into the prison system have mental health needs and many charged with drug offenses. There needs to be more rehabilitation programs available in Idaho, she said, and early intervention is "key."

"So we need to make sure we have programs available for our people to keep them home so they can become part of our society, become more productive," she said.

One audience member queried Jordan's position on the two propositions voters will see on the ballot. She is not in favor of Proposition 1, she said, which seeks to legalize historic horse racing. The proposition is about legalizing slot machines and casinos across Idaho, she said, while proponents tout it as a way to save the horse racing industry. While she said she will vote no on the proposition, she also said she would later support it if the majority of Idaho residents vote yes and pass the initiative. She encouraged people to do some research prior to voting on Proposition 1.

Proposition 2, on the other hand, she fully supports as she said it is "good for the people." Expanding Medicaid would benefit the people who fall into the health care gap, she said, where they make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to qualify for Your Health Idaho, the state’s health insurance exchange created under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. As more taxpayer dollars currently go toward indigent care, she said, expanding Medicaid would save taxpayers money. Over the next 10 years, Jordan said Medicaid expansion is projected to save taxpayers roughly $600 million.

She was also posed with the question of "tell us why you think you are tough enough to fight with the old boys?"

"I have worked with people on both sides of the aisle," Jordan answered. "I've worked with people on the national level, I've worked with our president of the United States, I've worked with senior members in the House and in the Senate, and I have been very successful."

As the Nov. 6 election is just a month away, Jordan encouraged everyone to get out and vote, and for those present to encourage others to get out and vote as well.

"It is imperative that people realize this in not an electoral college vote," Jordan said. "Your vote truly does matter."

Information: jordanforgovernor.com

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.