Sunny Freeman's Priorities

Sunny will work hard to find solutions to the challenges we face.  Together we can do it!

Public Lands	We must protect Idaho's public lands and unique quality of life as we face a period of rapid and unmanaged growth.
Education	Let's strengthen our schools to help prepare Idaho's workforce to compete for the good paying jobs of the future. We must attract and retain good quality teachers.  We must be creative in our approach to education.  I support working with local businesses to develop mentoring and apprenticeship programs.
Fair Tax Policy	I will work for sound tax policies that prioritizes small businesses and middle class families, not big corporations and special interests.
Child Safety	We must protect our young children by enacting minimal safety standards and requiring background checks in the child daycare centers that are currently unregulated.
Transportation	I favor expanding transportation options to enhance public safety, improve environmental health, and provide access for the disabled, youth, and elderly.  We must work to provide options for citizens struggling with high gas prices and for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint.  I believe the citizens should be trusted with the decision to invest in transportation through a local option tax if they choose.
Health Care	We must work to ensure quality, affordable health care we can all count on.  Now is the time to come together and find a solution to America's helath care crisis.  Idaho's families should not experience undue financial hardships to pay for health care or elder care.  Health care is a matter of human dignity.
Job Creation and Clean Energy	Public and private investment in a clean energy economy will stimulate the creation of jobs, moving America forward and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.  Let's work together for an energy independent Idaho.
Strengthening Our Local Economy	I see great value in strengthing local businesses to build community wealth.  I allign myself with the principles of a Living Economy.

Here is my expanded platform:    

I will represent the people by:  

- establishing a campaign of listening  

- holding regular townhall meetings and forums (encourage engagement)  

- demanding that government be responsive to the needs of the people  

- refusing gifts or contributions from lobby groups  

- introducing the highest ethical standards for public officials  

- passing tougher lobbying rules  

- ensuring transparency at all stages of government decision making

I will work to reduce the tax burden on individuals by:  

- working to repeal the grocery tax  

- enacting true property tax reform  

- modernizing the tax code to tax nonessential services  

- reforming irrigation taxes  

- rolling back corporate welfare by eliminating unnecessary exemptions and exclusions  

- imposing impact fees on developers to make growth pay for itself

I will work to encourage economic development and create good paying jobs by:  

- using our existing research facilities to develop new technologies  

- promoting small business development  

- investing in renewable energy 

I will work to protect our unique quality of life by:  

- protecting our public lands from destructive practices  

- investing in programs to reduce violence in our communities  

- providing mental health care to those in need  

- allowing local/regional governments to use voter approved local option taxes to fund public transit

I will work to protect our children by:  

- mandating criminal background checks for daycare providers  

- improving funding for childcare expenses  

- creating funding for preschool programs  

- expanding SHIP coverage  

- establishing nutritional standards for vending machines in schools  

- banning pesticides and toxic chemical cleaners used in schools  

- developing more community health care centers  

- ensuring that all families have a place to live

I will work to improve education by:  

- supporting teachers with creative curriculum and research  

- creating communication workshops for students  

- improving career counseling and career aptitude tests  

- working with local businesses to develop mentoring and apprenticeship programs

drafted on 3/27/08