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| Erik Simpson for Idaho |
| Idaho State Representative Candidate, District 32-B |
VOTE November 4
Simpson will bring fresh
perspectives to Idaho House
of Representatives
For Idaho State Representative, District 32-B candidate
Erik Simpson, being elected by his eastern Idaho
constituents to serve in Boise would be both an honor
and a natural progression in his career.
"My entire career has centered around working for or with
the citizens of Idaho," said Simpson. "Working with the
public is both a passion and a calling. It's in my heart."
perspectives to Idaho House
of Representatives
For Idaho State Representative, District 32-B candidate
Erik Simpson, being elected by his eastern Idaho
constituents to serve in Boise would be both an honor
and a natural progression in his career.
"My entire career has centered around working for or with
the citizens of Idaho," said Simpson. "Working with the
public is both a passion and a calling. It's in my heart."
In 1990, Simpson was hired at the Idaho National Laboratory and has worked there ever
since. Simpson has worked with the public, elected officials, and civic organizations for
nearly two decades as the Site completes its cleanup mission.
"I am a strong advocate for the Idaho National Laboratory and for nuclear power," said
Simpson. "My experience communicating technical topics with the public would also be an
asset in my role as State Representative."
Simpson has been working with lawmakers for the last four years serving on the Greater
Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. His current role as Committee
Chairman has allowed him closer access to members of the House and Senate.
"It's been a privilege working with our elected officials," said Simpson. "I've developed a
close, trusting relationship with them and would love to be part of the eastern Idaho
Republican team."
The District 32-B seat is being vacated by Representative Dean Mortimer, who will be the next
Senator following the retirement of Mel Richardson. Simpson won the primary election on
May 27 and is running unopposed in November.
since. Simpson has worked with the public, elected officials, and civic organizations for
nearly two decades as the Site completes its cleanup mission.
"I am a strong advocate for the Idaho National Laboratory and for nuclear power," said
Simpson. "My experience communicating technical topics with the public would also be an
asset in my role as State Representative."
Simpson has been working with lawmakers for the last four years serving on the Greater
Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. His current role as Committee
Chairman has allowed him closer access to members of the House and Senate.
"It's been a privilege working with our elected officials," said Simpson. "I've developed a
close, trusting relationship with them and would love to be part of the eastern Idaho
Republican team."
The District 32-B seat is being vacated by Representative Dean Mortimer, who will be the next
Senator following the retirement of Mel Richardson. Simpson won the primary election on
May 27 and is running unopposed in November.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Transportation
budget will be one of
the biggest issues the
2009 Legislature will
face.
You can learn more
about the
transportation
department at
http://itd.idaho.gov/
Watch the following
video to learn more
about why the Idaho
Department of
Transportation and
Governor's office are
rallying for more
money.
The Transportation
budget will be one of
the biggest issues the
2009 Legislature will
face.
You can learn more
about the
transportation
department at
http://itd.idaho.gov/
Watch the following
video to learn more
about why the Idaho
Department of
Transportation and
Governor's office are
rallying for more
money.
Simpson responds to Post Register questions
The Idaho Falls Post Register sent regional legislative candidates questions last month
seeking responses in 65 words or less. The newspaper has begun posting candidate
responses this week. Below are the questions and Simpson's responses.
PR: Do you support any of Gov. Otter’s plans to generate revenue for the state’s backlog
of road repairs? Please be specific. Do you have different revenue ideas? If so, what are
they and how much money would they generate?
ES: Gov. Otter hasn’t outlined any specific plans yet. Given the public’s concern about the
economy, it may be prudent to wait until the Idaho Transportation Department audit is
complete before deciding if it is necessary to generate additional funds for ITD.
I’m willing to look at all options, but given the state’s current economic status, we must be
fiscally responsible.
PR: Several cities, including some in eastern Idaho, wish they had avenues to generate
money aside from property taxes. Do you support granting local governments the
flexibility to raise money, such as a local option sales tax?
ES: The public should have the option of voting to increase its own taxes. This is done
regularly through school bond elections. However, based on restrictive wording in the Idaho
State Constitution, a public vote may be required to allow local option taxation. Once
approved by voters, a two-thirds majority (i.e., a supermajority) should be required to increase
sales tax at the local level.
PR: Idaho’s prisons are overcrowded. Estimates are that the state will be short some
5,500 beds over the next 10 years. How would you rectify this problem? Would you
support allowing a private company to both own and operate a private prison if public
money isn’t available? Given the constraints, do you oppose new laws that would make
mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain crimes?
ES: The majority of Idaho inmates are incarcerated for drug and alcohol crimes. We need to
expand the use of drug courts and use other means for non-violent offenders.
Given the state’s revenue projections, it’s unlikely we’ll see any proposal in 2009 for a new
prison – public or private.
Despite prison overcrowding, I support mandatory minimum prison sentences, especially for
those who commit crimes against children.
PR: During the 2008 legislative session, a proposal failed that would have paid teachers
more if they met certain criteria and gave up tenure? Do you support merit pay? Is there a
different system you would support?
ES: Idaho needs a plan to better reward its best teachers and keep this talent in the Idaho
education system. I support teacher merit pay as long as the process for determining
excellence is fair and measurable. I’ve spoken with Supt. Luna this summer about teacher
merit pay. He assures me he will bring a new plan to the Legislature in 2009.
PR: Last session, lawmakers and the governor were caught off guard when revenue
numbers dipped below projections. It looks like more of the same for next year – Idaho’s
general fund is expected to be $174 million less than anticipated. How would you
approach dealing with these shortfalls? Are there specific department budgets you think
could be cut? Do you have any ideas for stimulating Idaho’s economy?
ES: Governor Otter has the right idea – forcing department directors to reduce their budgets
by 1 percent and perhaps an additional 1.5 percent based on incoming state revenues. It
may also be practical to implement a hiring freeze for state departments to control their
growth and spending.
The best way to stimulate Idaho’s economy is to keep taxes low and control government
spending.
PR: Given that Idaho is in the minority of states that taxes food, do you support repealing
the grocery tax? If so, how should the state make up that income?
ES: The 2008 Legislature gave taxpayers some relief by increasing the grocery tax credit;
however, I’d like to see the end of sales tax on food.
If we let people keep the tax they currently pay on food, they will purchase other goods that are
taxed. That and a combination of fiscal responsibility will make it unnecessary to make up
the income generated from taxing food.
The Idaho Falls Post Register sent regional legislative candidates questions last month
seeking responses in 65 words or less. The newspaper has begun posting candidate
responses this week. Below are the questions and Simpson's responses.
PR: Do you support any of Gov. Otter’s plans to generate revenue for the state’s backlog
of road repairs? Please be specific. Do you have different revenue ideas? If so, what are
they and how much money would they generate?
ES: Gov. Otter hasn’t outlined any specific plans yet. Given the public’s concern about the
economy, it may be prudent to wait until the Idaho Transportation Department audit is
complete before deciding if it is necessary to generate additional funds for ITD.
I’m willing to look at all options, but given the state’s current economic status, we must be
fiscally responsible.
PR: Several cities, including some in eastern Idaho, wish they had avenues to generate
money aside from property taxes. Do you support granting local governments the
flexibility to raise money, such as a local option sales tax?
ES: The public should have the option of voting to increase its own taxes. This is done
regularly through school bond elections. However, based on restrictive wording in the Idaho
State Constitution, a public vote may be required to allow local option taxation. Once
approved by voters, a two-thirds majority (i.e., a supermajority) should be required to increase
sales tax at the local level.
PR: Idaho’s prisons are overcrowded. Estimates are that the state will be short some
5,500 beds over the next 10 years. How would you rectify this problem? Would you
support allowing a private company to both own and operate a private prison if public
money isn’t available? Given the constraints, do you oppose new laws that would make
mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain crimes?
ES: The majority of Idaho inmates are incarcerated for drug and alcohol crimes. We need to
expand the use of drug courts and use other means for non-violent offenders.
Given the state’s revenue projections, it’s unlikely we’ll see any proposal in 2009 for a new
prison – public or private.
Despite prison overcrowding, I support mandatory minimum prison sentences, especially for
those who commit crimes against children.
PR: During the 2008 legislative session, a proposal failed that would have paid teachers
more if they met certain criteria and gave up tenure? Do you support merit pay? Is there a
different system you would support?
ES: Idaho needs a plan to better reward its best teachers and keep this talent in the Idaho
education system. I support teacher merit pay as long as the process for determining
excellence is fair and measurable. I’ve spoken with Supt. Luna this summer about teacher
merit pay. He assures me he will bring a new plan to the Legislature in 2009.
PR: Last session, lawmakers and the governor were caught off guard when revenue
numbers dipped below projections. It looks like more of the same for next year – Idaho’s
general fund is expected to be $174 million less than anticipated. How would you
approach dealing with these shortfalls? Are there specific department budgets you think
could be cut? Do you have any ideas for stimulating Idaho’s economy?
ES: Governor Otter has the right idea – forcing department directors to reduce their budgets
by 1 percent and perhaps an additional 1.5 percent based on incoming state revenues. It
may also be practical to implement a hiring freeze for state departments to control their
growth and spending.
The best way to stimulate Idaho’s economy is to keep taxes low and control government
spending.
PR: Given that Idaho is in the minority of states that taxes food, do you support repealing
the grocery tax? If so, how should the state make up that income?
ES: The 2008 Legislature gave taxpayers some relief by increasing the grocery tax credit;
however, I’d like to see the end of sales tax on food.
If we let people keep the tax they currently pay on food, they will purchase other goods that are
taxed. That and a combination of fiscal responsibility will make it unnecessary to make up
the income generated from taxing food.