Idaho Dems Weekly Update: Sept. 19

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TABLE OF CONTENTS • Women Will Decide • Thanks for Nothing: GOP Offers Savings Advice • GOP Priority: Making Education Last • Women and Axes • Personal Property Tax Issue on the Horizon • Idaho's Absentee Congressmen • Volunteers Needed!!!!!!! IN OTHER NEWS Minicassia Democrats Organizing! Join the Minicassia Democrats for their first meeting. 7 p.m., Oct. 4 at Paul City Hall Women Will Decide The women above joined about 100 other loud, sign-carrying women who spent Saturday morning in Boise a few weeks ago to make a point: they value their rights. Idaho women are paying attention and it is up to candidates and activists to make sure women know that Idaho Democrats are on their side. They need to know that Idaho's GOP is waging war on their freedom and challenging their sovereignty over medical decisions. They need to know Idaho's GOP puts families last and threatens our economic futures. Our neighbor to the east is looking at women to swing tight elections into the Democratic collumn. Montana has a full slate of close federal and state races, and women may decide those elections.There as in Idaho, women worry about the economy. They are unhappy with the GOP threatening their rights. Ellie Hill, a state representative from Missoula: “To me, it’s turning back the clock and that’s not what Montana is looking for. Montana voters are focused on jobs and the economy,” she said. Denise Juneau, Montana Supt. of Public Schools: “Women will decide this election, who turns out women voters, who appeals to their values and beliefs ... We have generations of women who think these fights were over, so to see them emerge again is disappointing. But I think it’s also going to empower women voters.” Read more. Thanks for Nothing: GOP Offers Savings Advice State Treasurer Ron Crane offered advice to parents about how to save for college. His brand of saving money: charge the state for limousine rides in NYC, get a state cash card for personal use, and donate $10,000 in taxpayer funds to a pet cause, every year. GOP policies have made it hard for middle class Idaho families to save for college. In the recession, the 35 - 44 year-old group lost 52 percent of household wealth. GOP policies make Idaho lag the nation in student financial aid as well. For the GOP to offer a paltry lecture on financial responsibility is farcical. Read more. GOP Priority: Making Education Last The point simply cannot be overstated, the facts are in, the Idaho GOP has cut, is cutting, and will cut education. They clearly believe that public education has little value. The weight of their actions--years of actions--stacked against election-year protestations to the contrary. The fact is simple: The Idaho GOP has hurt education, repeatedly, intentionally, and chose to do so despite having other options. As the Idaho Statesman opined: "With sufficient repetition, the Statehouse mantra has graduated to governing principle. Spending money does not ensure quality of education. But spending money on schools — or cutting K-12 budgets — brings a state’s priorities into sharp focus. ..." Read more. Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/09/11/2266815/numbers-put-idahos-priorities.html?fb_action_ids=10152083451525397%2C10152083186575397&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210152083451525397%22%3A463760373644161%2C%2210152083186575397%22%3A496596210368637%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210152083451525397%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%2C%2210152083186575397%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map#storylink=cpy Women and Axes Women lumberjacks: Yet another reason Idaho women are not to be trifled with. Read more. Personal Property Tax Issue on the Horizon Reforming personal property taxes. Counties stand to lose a substantial portion of their tax bases--and recent history teaches us that the GOP controlled Legislature will not replace those dollars that are so crucial to local roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. But businesses resent the tax because it is tough to comply with. Surely, reasonable lawmakers can find a reasonable solution. But remember, we must first elect reasonable lawmakers. Republican Rep. Vito Barbieri told us all how to find reasonable lawmakers, saying, "If I wanted a reasonable Republican, I'd vote for a Democrat." Read more. Idaho's Absentee Congressmen Idaho's 1st Congressional District Congressman has been skipping work--a lot. He is getting called out on it in the press. Read more. Volunteers Needed!!!!!!! Just contact the Idaho Democratic Party. We can put anyone in the state to work from anywhere to help Idaho Democrats win. It's not just a question of pitching in to feel good about yourself--though you will definitely feel good about yourself--you really can be the one volunteer who made the difference in any of a number of close races this year. We need you. And, if you value a more balanced and thoughtful government, quite frankly, you need you. Lots of campaigns and lots to be done. In the election world, tomorrow already happened and we're smack in the middle of next week running behind on many many jobs that need to be done! Call Us Now! 208-336-1815. We'll be glad you did--and so will you.

Idaho Democratic Party 943 W. Overland Rd. Meridian, Idaho 83642