While the Idaho Statesman may consider the nation’s deficit the most important issue of this election, it certainly isn’t for the thousands of Idahoans I’ve spoken to both as a legislator and as a candidate for Congress.
Tens of thousands have lost jobs, homes and small businesses in our state. Many are fearful and want a Congressmember who won’t play politics with their lives by voting for extreme budget plans which gut Medicare and decimate jobs. Idahoans are anxious to elect someone who’ll set politics and political parties aside to do what’s right for our state.
As a teacher and former small business owner who grew up in Custer County, my service in the Legislature has been focused on solving problems, not partisanship. Democrats and Republicans have co-sponsored legislation I have authored every year as I’ve focused improving the lives and health of Idahoans, their families and small businesses.
Mike Simpson’s priorities have clearly changed. He’s voted repeatedly for budget cuts which eliminated hundreds of thousands of jobs, hurt small businesses, our communities and economy. He voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act for women and voted to add billions to the deficit to benefit millionaires and the Wall Street corporations and banks that caused our financial crisis.
Sadly, Mike Simpson, by supporting cuts to Title I education funding and refusing to oppose the devastating Luna laws, has failed Idaho on the issue of education as well.
I’ve spent years teaching in Idaho public schools. As a state senator, I was proud to lead Senate opposition Tom Luna’s plan to begin to privatize our education and give taxpayer money to out-of-state for-profit corporations. This plan has already increased class sizes, cost Idaho hundreds of quality teachers and endangered rural schools. We can do better for our kids.
Unfortunately, Mike Simpson’s also voted to turn Medicare into a partial voucher system, cutting benefits and forcing seniors to pay more for their healthcare. As your Congresswoman, I’ll dedicate myself to protecting and strengthening Medicare and opposing any attempt to cut or privatize Social Security.
You know my record of standing up to industry tax cuts which shift taxes onto families, seniors and small businesses. I helped pass property tax relief which helped seniors stay secure in their homes. As a Congresswoman I’ll always remain accessible and put the people of my district first.
I ask for your vote Nov. 6.
Nicole LeFavour, a state senator from Boise, is the Democratic nominee in Idaho's 2nd Congressional District.
