What’s the difference between Crystal and her opponent?

• Crystal Ivie vs. Ted Hill
• Idaho Republican Party Platform
• Idaho Republican Convention Resolutions

Corporate and Wealthy Tax Breaks

• Legislation in 2022 (HB 436) changed such that the corporate income tax rate will be lowered from 6.5% to 6%. Wealthy corporations in Idaho should not be paying lower taxes on the backs of Idahoans.
• Idaho Senate Democrats said in a press release that under the new law (HB 436), someone with $1 million in annual taxable income will receive an ongoing yearly tax cut of over $5,000 on top of a nearly $8,000 one-time rebate, and Idahoans with lower incomes will receive a rebate of ~$75. This is a very unbalanced advantage that only significantly benefits the wealthy.
• Idaho land has been sold to the incredibly wealthy, often cutting off access to popular camping, hiking, and hunting public lands. These purchases have resulted in a refusal of permission to traverse the property unless political allegiance was made against a changing climate and/or being confronted by armed guards.
• Strain on infrastructure for area cities, towns, and counties could be alleviated by significant impact fees for developers.
• The normal Idahoan deserves better representation in the state legislature to avoid further erosion of our state at the hands of wealth exchanging hands in a manner that does not benefit regular Idahoans.

Public Education

On April 26 of 2022, the National Education Association again ranked Idaho 51st out of all U.S. states and the District of Columbia in education spending in per student spending. This remains unchanged from the previous report from 2018. A vote for me would ensure an advocate for more spending, more focus on keeping high-quality teachers in our state, and training new high school graduates to be competitive in the career and/or college realms.

• Idaho spends $8376 per K-12 student. The national average for per-student spending is $14,360. Idaho comes in at just above HALF what most states spend on each of their students.
• Idaho did pass modest increases for education this spring, but it is not nearly enough. There was an 11% increase which was allocated toward increasing pay and health benefits for teachers and school staff.
• Reclaim Idaho has gathered enough signatures to get the Quality Education Act on the November ballot. It will increase education funding by $323 million if it passes. It is IMPERATIVE for this ballot initiative to pass.
• Idaho pays its teachers an average of $51,87 a year. Idaho ranks 45th in the nation. This is $27,571 less than the state of Washington. It is $16,748 less than the state of Oregon (a mere 25.39 from western parts of the treasure valley). Idaho pays less annually than Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Montana as well. There is reason for good teachers to consider why they remain in Idaho.
• The average starting salary is $39,842 which is 29th nationally.
• Idaho ranks 51st in K-12 support staff salary, at $25,830
• Idaho was the ONLY STATE not to use COVID-19 relieve funds to increase educational spending in the state.
• Students in Idaho need to be competitive for higher-paying careers to remain able to be homeowners and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
• There is a major disconnect between what the state spends on its most-precious resource (our children), and the salary necessary to maintain a middle-class lifestyle in our area.

Property Taxes in Idaho

In 2021, Mike Moyle- former occupant of house legislative seat 14-A rammed through a property tax bill at the end of the legislative session, three days before the end of the session that lasted 18 weeks. There was no expert testimony, research, or time given to carefully consider the property tax bill before it was passed.

• The homeowner’s exemption did rise from $100,000 to $125,000 but, if the conservative legislature had not capped it in 2016, it would have been $149,525.
• With drastically rising residential property values, Idaho homeowners became more saddled with the property tax burden of the state.
• The “circuit breaker” program became more difficult to qualify for- which is a major concern to homeowners on a fixed or low income.
• Despite increases to property taxes, local spending of that budget is highly regulated by spending limits
• Instead of vetoing the bill and demanding legislators spend more time on something that made more sense to the homeowners in Idaho, Brad Little signed the bill into law, but said about it:

“I do have significant concerns with the process leading up to the passage of House Bill 389 as well as its practical implications,” Little wrote. “I am supportive of the increase in the homeowner’s exemption from $100,000 to $125,000, but the near-exponential increases in home valuations mean the exemption will only slow the property tax increases for many Idahoans and not provide long-term relief. I am also supportive of updating the circuit breaker credit to ensure that our veterans, elderly, and lower-income populations can afford to stay in their homes, but I fear these changes may have unintended consequences for some individuals and families. “I have always subscribed to the adage that our taxes need to be fair, simple, competitive, and predictable. When considered against these pillars of tax policy, House Bill 389 falls short. The bill is an aggregate of complex and nuanced changes to Idaho’s property tax code, and I am troubled that this was introduced in the waning days of the longest legislative session in Idaho history.”

We must elect more people to the state legislature who make it harder for this kind of legislation to become law.

Infrastructure

The 2018 Report Card for Idaho Infrastructure states the need for over $2 billion to ensure the safety and performance of Idaho’s bridges alone and another $3.6 billion for our roads. Idaho needs investment into not only hard infrastructure like roads, and bridges, but also, Idaho needs investment into universal broadband access, affordability plans so that internet access is available to all students, giving them equal access to educational tools. So regularly what we see in terms of disparity for middle and upper class students, versus disadvantaged students comes down to access to the internet, access to a computing device, and the ability to enhance from home, what is being taught in school. In addition, water systems- metering and conservation need to be addressed. We have seen remarkable changes in the weather, rainfall, and storm severity in Idaho as a result of climate change. An investment into systems that allow our precious water resources to be used in the best and most efficient manner is paramount. I will propose several funding sources, including an increase in the fuel tax, development impact fees and revenue based on truck weight. New revenue will also be generated when the tax credits for major corporations are eliminated.

Why I am running for the Idaho House of Representatives

Having experienced firsthand the importance of a strong education, I feel compelled to work toward an Idaho that embraces robust PK-12 funding for the state’s students and educators. The education of Idaho’s children should be a top priority, and providing high-quality education requires a stronger commitment to funding. Additionally, educators who work hard to make a difference in their student’s lives while teaching them academic and life skills deserve more educational opportunities for themselves, financial support, and security that their career path will lead to a stable and financially secure life. Teachers are heroes.

I am the mother of two children. In my life, motherhood and education have always gone hand in hand. My daughter was born while I was a college student. Her first memories are of working at my desk while I finished up experiments for the day and sitting in my classes while I taught genetics or cell biology as a graduate student. My son was born the year after I finished graduate school. His first years were marked with a premature birth, a NICU stay, difficulty sleeping more than an hour or two at a time, and struggles swallowing and learning to speak. Seven years ago, I was given an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis for him, and so began another education journey of mine. While he has had amazing educators in his life, I made the decision three years ago to allow him to attend IDVA- an Idaho Public Charter school whose instruction is entirely online. I am grateful to Idaho for the freedom of choice in Pk-12 education. Like my Grandma Scott who told me that education was the key to success in my own life, I believe that education is a powerful tool that can transform a life from poverty to success. I also believe that the best possible education looks different for every child.

While higher education was the key to my success, it did not come without a steep price. I struggled to eventually pay back the large sum of student loans I had borrowed to afford such an education. I do not wish to see that level of debt deter others from pursuing an education that will enhance their lives, broaden their world view, and make them more employable. Lack of money should never be a reason people choose not to pursue higher education. Yet, taking on tremendous student debt for an education is a burden too many of our young people bear in order to attempt to carve out a better life than they started with.

Making higher education accessible and financially feasible is particularly important, especially for Idahoans to be competitive in the high-paying, tech careers available in Idaho. Formal education after high school is a goal that Idaho needs to commit to by making such programs accessible and affordable. It is an investment into the future of Idaho.

My main drive to run for the state Legislature is rooted deeply in the belief that Idaho’s children are worth more funding, more investment, and more intention that they are given now in our state. Idaho remains one of least-funded educational systems in the entire country. The education of our children is sacred ground to me. We must insist on setting up future generations for success. This is best accomplished by making an investment into their Pk-12 educational opportunities. Just as important, is my belief that once graduated from high school, Idaho youth need to have more funding available to them to go on to higher education in technical and academic programs. This is particularly important in order that Idahoans are competitive in the high-tech careers available in Idaho. These careers are often higher-paying and require higher education than a high school diploma or equivalent. Making higher education accessible and financially feasible is a subject on which I am greatly passionate. I am the daughter of parents who finished high school with a GED and went straight into the job force barely able to survive from paycheck to paycheck.

For many young adults, taking on tremendous student debt for education is a burden too many of our young people bear in order to attempt to carve out a better life from that which they started. Formal education after high school is a goal that Idaho needs to be more committed to by making such programs accessible and affordable. It is an investment into the future of Idaho. Personally, I had to take on a large debt in student loans in order to pay for my education. It has been a burden to pay them back. Not being able to afford to go to college, technical school, and the like should not be a barrier than Idahoans accept as a mode of prevention of pursuing an education that will enhance their lives, broaden their world view, and make them more employable. Not having enough money is one of the saddest reasons people choose not to pursue higher education. In this country, it should not be so. In this state, it should not be so.

I also worry for those Idahoans whose property taxes are outpacing their ability to pay. Idaho has experienced tremendous growth which has inherently allowed for a great shift (upward) in the values of properties throughout the state. These valuations often surpass individual homeowner’s income and have put many in the position of being unable to pay their property taxes. Those who have worked hard towards the goal of owning their home should not be forced to sell simply because of the property tax burden they bear.

Finally, large corporations and entities should pay a more equitable share than current state regulations allow for. Our Republican legislature passed a $600 million tax cut for the wealthiest Idahoans and corporations, while continuing the regressive tax on groceries, barely raising the grocery tax credit and refusing to address real property tax relief. I commit to do better for average Idahoans! In a recent Boise State survey, NO Idahoans rated tax cuts for the wealthy as a priority. Instead, they want our legislature to use the surplus to fully fund education, repair our damaged infrastructure, provide property tax relief and eliminate the sales tax on food. This is where change is essential. As an elected body, the state legislature owes Idahoans a good faith attempt to address this issue.