Issue Position: Sovereignty of Idaho

Issue Position

Idaho families have always been known for their toughness and tenacity. We live here because we love the challenges and uniqueness of our state. But in recent years Idaho's legislature has depended less on the ingenuity and hard working efforts of Idaho families and turned more often to federal handouts and cheap loans. When Idaho accepts federal funds, there are always strings attached. There is always plenty of free cheese in a mousetrap! In order for Idaho to strengthen its state sovereignty, we need to decrease acceptance of federal bribes.

I will work diligently to support sound legislation that works towards transferring ownership of currently held federal lands back to the State of Idaho. Other western states have begun this process. I believe Idahoans can manage our lands more efficiently than can the federal bureaucracies. Approximately 63% of all Idaho land is under federal jurisdiction. These lands contain a wealth of resources (water, metals, minerals, timber, natural gas, and much more) which could propel Idaho to better standards of living. Careful stewardship of these resources would allow for both long-term environmental care as well as provide abundant jobs for Idaho's economy. Idaho citizens are tired of federal agencies wasting American tax dollars, locking us out of our public lands and stalling our economic recovery by keeping valuable resources out of our reach. When our country was founded, federal land control was supposed to be temporary, and ownership was eventually to be transferred back to the states in "a timely manner."

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