Matthee will advocate for our children

Recently, I have had the privilege of meeting Karen Matthee, candidate for Idaho State Representative, District 1A. Her background as a journalist and working with land mine victims has given her the ability to ask the right questions and to listen carefully and with empathy to the answers. The latter is a quality that appears to be missing from the current Idaho legislature.

Karen’s stand on quality education is something that rings true to me. Why does Idaho accept that the state consistently ranks last in spending per student? Aren’t the children of this state worth more than that? Karen advocates establishing a permanent education fund coming from the $5.2 billion in obsolete sales tax exemptions and that those funds become available now, not over ten years. She believes that it should be easier to pass school bonds, lowering the two-thirds majority bar to 55% or 60%. 

She rejects the HB70 bill, which places heavy burdens not only on public libraries but on school libraries. Finally, she would vote against school vouchers, which would redirect public funds to private schools. Public school funds are for public schools, period. Karen would work towards giving what Idaho children and teachers need and deserve, a well-funded education system.

I firmly support Karen Matthee. Let’s elect a representative who will listen to what we have to say. Vote Matthee on Nov. 5.

SHERRY ENNIS

Sandpoint