Representative George Sayler
Democrat, District 4B

March 20. 2004
Re-election Announcement
 
 

Serving the people of District 4 has been my honor and privilege this term, and I believe I have done so with fairness and balance.  During this time I have worked hard to see that education is properly funded, that state policies promote jobs and economic growth, and that health care is available for all who need it. It has been a challenging and interesting experience!

 I have also come to realize more than ever how critical it is for there to be balance in government, and for a strong minority voice to challenge the dominant party.  On many issues there is too little debate, and too many decisions that undercut public input are being made by majority leadership.  In addition, there are issues that I have become involved in, such as proper licensing of day care centers, grandparent rights, and open space preservation that will not be resolved this session.  Therefore, I am announcing my bid for re-election to the position of State Representative for District 4B.

During my first term, I have been a strong supporter of public education, voting against any funding cuts that I felt would affect the quality of education our children receive.  I also voted against cuts in the budget of the Health and Welfare Department that would have reduced health care to individuals in need, and supported the expansion of the CHIPs program.  In addition, I was a co-sponsor of a resolution to Congress to improve the speed and quality of medical care for veterans.  I voted to give tax credits for businesses that provide good paying jobs with health care available and for a freeze on the unemployment tax that businesses pay.

This session, I was a co-sponsor in the House, of a bill that creates a de-facto custodianship for grandparents raising their grandchildren.  There are 17,000 in Idaho currently doing so, and they have no legal standing in court in guardianship hearings.  They must often surrender care of their grandchildren to their parents before the parents are fully capable of providing a proper home environment for their children.  This new law will provide a guardian ad-litem be appointed for the grandchild, and it creates a de-facto custodianship for those who have actually been raising and providing support for the child.  It will protect children from being placed each in undesirable home situations, and allow the de-facto custodian to continue to provide proper care in a stable environment.

Also, at the request of our county clerk, I sponsored successful legislation to change Idaho’s absentee voting law, so that an absentee voter’s vote will not be disqualified if that person had cast their vote and later died before the date of the general election.  The new law will mean that their vote counts when it is sent to the county election official.  It will bring Idaho into compliance with the other 48 states that currently follow this practice, and will also protect the votes of our military personnel serving overseas.
My committee assignments are the House Education Committee, the Resources and Conservation Committee, and the Environmental Affairs Committee.  As a member of the Education Committee I have worked hard to protect our public schools.  I opposed the budgets to universities because they did not properly fund all of the increased costs and growth they are facing, and I opposed a public school budget that did not include funding for remediation for students who are failing the newly required ISAT tests.  I did support a measure to make kindergarten mandatory and I also voted for the additional funding for the Idaho Virtual Academy so that this innovative school could continue.

On the last two committees, I have tried to follow a course that balances economic concerns with environmental concerns.  I have supported policies that I believe protect our water and air but without unduly burdening business with regulations.  For example, I did oppose legislation that gave grass farmers exemption for the health damages that may have been caused by the smoke from grass burning, but supported legislation that would have given them tax credits for not burning their fields.

My goals for the next term, should you chose to re-elect me, are:

  - to continue to work for the needs and concerns of the people of District 4
  - to advocate for proper support of education, at all levels
  - to support policies that promote good paying jobs and support local businesses
  - to work on making health care cost efficient yet available to all
  - to work for an improved day care licensing system
  - to promote open space preservation and environmental protection
 

I have worked hard and learned much in my first term.  I believe my experience will enable me to be even more effective at serving the people of District 4 next session.  I believe next session will be a difficult one as we grapple with the sunset of the once cent sales tax increase.  I see it as a second act in the drama that began last session, and I welcome the opportunity to help provide a positive outcome to this ongoing budget struggle.

I would appreciate your support and vote on November 2nd,so that I may continue to work for you.