Sharon L. Fisher
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis
Biographical Information
Why are you running?
What living Idaho politician do you most respect, and why?
What decision during your adult life do you most regret, and how has it changed you?
Gov. Butch Otter says Idaho needs hundreds of millions of dollars in highway improvements it cannot pay for with existing revenues. What, if anything, should the state do to improve transportation? How would you pay for these improvements?
The Legislature this year did not pass a bill sought by some Treasure Valley mayors and business leaders to let local governments ask voters for a sales-tax increase for expanded transit or road improvements. Was this decision correct or not? Why?
Student testing, teacher pay and educational quality remain concerns of Idaho parents, leaders and educators. What changes, if any, do you want to make in state education law, and why?
Do you have a social-policy (for example, abortion or gay rights) agenda for state government? What is it, and why?
What, if anything, should the state do to better meet Idahoans' health needs and manage rapidly rising health-care costs?
What more, if anything, should the Legislature do to foster the prosperity and quality of life of Idahoans?
How would you grade the Legislature's performance in the past two to four years, and why? If your grade is less than an A, what would you do to make the Legislature -- and your role in it -- more effective?
What state law enacted in the past two to four years do you most disagree with, and why? What state law enacted in that period do you most support, and why?
What makes you a better choice for voters than your opponent(s)?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds majority of voters in each affected county to pass a sales-tax increase to pay for expanded transit or local highway improvements?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported continued state borrowing to improve Interstate 84 and other state highways now, rather than years later, as the traditional pay-as-you-go approach using existing highway-fund revenues would have required?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported state schools Superintendent Tom Luna's plan to offer teachers extra pay in exchange for giving up their continuing-contract job protection?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported a bill to require minor girls to obtain their parents' permission before having abortions?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported making public the political party a voter chose to vote in during a primary election?
2008 Legislative Proposal: How did you vote, or how would you have voted had you had the chance: Would you have supported a tax break limiting the taxable value of French nuclear services company Areva NC's proposed uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls if the company invested at least $1 billion in Idaho within seven years?
Sharon L. Fisher:
I want to make Idaho a world-class technological center while preserving its rural and agriculture character. These are not mutually exclusive; we can and should support both. I believe Idaho’s government should be responsive to the people. I want to stand up for working-class families and small business. I care about Idaho’s unique way of life.
Sharon L. Fisher:
Margaret Henbest, because she achieved bipartisan respect and acknowledgment for her knowledge and experience in health issues, particularly public health. Nothing would make me happier than having people call me the "Margaret Henbest of high-tech."
Sharon L. Fisher:
I wish I'd started having children earlier. I didn't have my daughter until I was 40, and she has brought such joy to my life that I wish I had started sooner so I could have had more. On the other hand, if I had made that choice, I would have had less time to do other things, such as work on my career. In any case, it's not something I can change, so I will simply treasure her and be glad I have her.
Sharon L. Fisher:
1. We need to know more about the "hundreds of millions of dollars" figure, other than a percentage of the value of Idaho's roads.
2. We need to ensure the Dept. of Transportation is operating at peak efficiency and is making the best use of the funds it has and is doing the best it can to obtain funds from other sources, such as the Federal government.
3. We need to look at ways that local roads can be improved locally, such as through options taxes and highway improvement districts.
Sharon L. Fisher:
It's not the decision I would have made. A number of cities, such as Salt Lake City, have achieved a great deal of success funding transportation improvements using local options taxes, reducing traffic on their roads and reducing pollution in their air. Having a small legislative subcommittee make that decision for the entire state disempowers the citizens of Idaho from making their own local decisions about local issues.
Sharon L. Fisher:
We need to look at the formula for calculating per-child funding from the state and make sure it's appropriate. For example, charter schools currently have an advantage in receiving funding. We need to add to the science and math curriculum to help bring well-paying high-technology jobs to Idaho. Finally, we need to make it easier for school districts to share strategies and ideas about what methods have worked for them.
Sharon L. Fisher:
House Bill #462 from the 2008 legislative session would have resulted in $800,000 in Federal money to help make transportation safer for children, at no cost to the state and citizens of Idaho. Because this bill was not heard and passed, Idaho children are not as well protected and parents can't get the help they need to provide car seats for their children.
Sharon L. Fisher:
We need to look into bringing in Health Maintenance Organizations such as Kaiser into Idaho, removing any barriers to entry. We also need to expand the CHiP program to help our children and particularly to provide preventive care that could save money in the long run. Finally, we need to provide drug treatment and mental heath facilities to help reduce the costs these problems bring to our health care and corrections systems.
Sharon L. Fisher:
We need to do more to attract high-tech employers -- not for $8 call center jobs, but $30 developer jobs. We need to do this not by bribing them with tax breaks, but by making Idaho a place where employees want to be and where they can find new employees. We need to do this by improving math and science education on all levels to produce an educated, highly skilled workforce and by providing metropolitan amenities while maintaining Idaho's spectacular outdoors and rural character.
Sharon L. Fisher:
In the past two years, I would rate it a C. Increased partisanship has made it difficult for both sides to hear good ideas from the other. I can find something to agree on with every single person in the Legislature. Let's all find those points of commonality and expand outward from there.
Sharon L. Fisher:
Disagree: H0001, passed during the extraordinary session of the 2006 Legislature. It transferred local control of school maintenance and operation budgets to the state by raising the sales tax. In addition, the whole extraordinary session and the way it was set up was procedurally questionable.
Support: H543aa, the bill passed this session to set up the Idaho Education Network. It will eventually ensure that all Idahoans have access to high-speed Internet.
Sharon L. Fisher:
I am the experienced, moderate candidate with both training and a practical background in Idaho state government. I worked closely with the Legislature, particularly JFAC, in the 2006 session, and have continued following JFAC and the Legislature since then, sitting in on a majority of budget hearings. I am ready to represent all Idahoans, in the state and in my district, not just the ones who share my convictions. I am committed to bipartisan collaboration.
Sharon L. Fisher:
No
Sharon L. Fisher:
Yes
Sharon L. Fisher:
No
Sharon L. Fisher:
No
Sharon L. Fisher:
No
Sharon L. Fisher:
No
Age:
48
Family:
One daughter, Margaret, 8. Former husband, mother-in-law, and many cousins in Kuna. Father, sister, and other cousins in upstate New York.
City/Town:
Kuna
Birthplace:
Rochester, N.Y.
Education/Degrees:
Masters of Public Administration, state and local focus, Boise State University.
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Graduate certificate, Community and Regional Development, BSU.
Experience:
Legislative intern, Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, 2006.
Covered JFAC and legislature, 2007-2008, for www.newwest.net/StateOfTechnology. Principal consultant for Gem State Community Development, my own small business, since 2005.
Research director, Gartner Inc., 1997-2005.
Community Involvement:
Steward/lecturer, Kuna Grange.
Charter member, Kuna Kiwanis.
Member, Kuna Chamber of Commerce.
Grange representative to Western Heritage Historic Byway committee.
Publicity director, upcoming Birds of Prey Birding Festival.
Member, Ada County Historic Preservation Council.
Member, Idaho Rural Partnership and Community Review Committee.
Legislative committee, Idaho PTA.
Member and former officer in Kuna PTAs.
Last book you read:
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything, by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I made a promise to myself a long time ago. My first attempt running for public office was in 1992. This year I plan to make good on my promise.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
At this point I have come to respect "every" elected official. I am impressed by their wealth of knowledge and experience, and their down-to-earth motives of just doing what they think is best for Idaho. I hope to earn their mutual respect and find areas of mutual purpose so that we together might make the best decisions for the long term as it relates to our great State of Idaho.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
Other than not investing in GOOGLE the first chance I had, I have no regrets. I have been blessed with many challenges and opportunities. I try to make the most of each day. Smiling seems to help no matter what happens. I just feel fortunate to be happy and have so many good friends and family. Besides, I live in Idaho!
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
The state needs to adequately provide for its transportation needs. I believe it is a balancing act to have the right combination of gasoline tax, registration fees, and sales tax on transportation items that will generate the revenues needed. Transportation is an integral part of commerce and industry, essential for movement of goods and people. I believe it is critical to provide adequate funding to maintain the safety of our roads and bridges.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I am for the right of the citizens to vote for sales-tax increases. However personally, I am against local option sales tax. The reasons for this stand are number one, I do not like adding a new tax. Number two, we need to have a consolidated voting day for taxing issues so that we are not voting on tax increases every month. Number three, we need to require a 75% super-majority to pass a new tax. So based on my stand, I believe the decision was correct.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I would like to see us make it mandatory to graduate from high school! In Idaho today, we have over 69,000 heads of households that are high school dropouts. In addition, over 75% of the prisoners are high school dropouts too. The costs to society from high school dropouts to pay for welfare, prisons, and health care are tremendous. We would be far better served to spend the money to help at-risk children to stay in school and graduate with employable skills.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
The first thing that comes to mind is: "WITH EACH CHILD, WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO DO IT RIGHT."
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I STRONGLY FEEL THE ANSWERS ARE IN QUALITY EDUCATION, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
Traditional family values are the foundation of our nation. Families, not government programs, are the best way to properly nurture and protect our children, care for our elderly, preserve and perpetuate our cultural and religious heritage, and assure that our traditional values are transmitted to the next generation. I understand that promoting strong families and renewing an individual sense of responsibility are key to reversing the erosion of our social fabric.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
A for effort. Now it is time to make things happen!
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I try to follow the law, whether I agree or not.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
I am open minded and I will work for mutual respect and mutual purpose.
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
No
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
No
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
No
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
Yes
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
No
Richard Dean “Rich” Jarvis:
Yes
Age:
57
Family:
MARRIED 35 YEARS TO MARY ALICE HASKETT.
WE HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS, RACHEL, CATHI, AND CAMILLE. WE ALSO HAVE THREE SONS, RICH II., RYAN, AND CLINT.
City/Town:
MERIDIAN
Birthplace:
BOISE
Education/Degrees:
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
CHARTERED LIFE UNDERWRITER
CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Experience:
REPRESENTATIVE FOR STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES, FARMER, DEVELOPER
Community Involvement:
MOUNTAIN VIEW YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS LEADER, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA LEADER
Last book you read:
REAL CHANGE FROM THE WORLD THAT FAILS TO THE WORLD THAT WORKS BY FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEWT GINGRICH
Endorsement Interview: Sharon L. Fisher
