Veteran lawmaker faces newcomer from Weiser
Monty Pearce marks spending, transportation subjects as key issues for the future
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Thursday, October 30, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
NEW PLYMOUTH — Monty Pearce, Republican incumbent for the Idaho District 9 Senate, seeks his fourth term as a state senator in Tuesday’s election, and he said he still sees spending and transportation as among the top issues coming up in the next Legislature session slated for January.
In the spending realm, Gov. Butch Otter said he will be doing zero-based budgeting, Pearce said, which he supports.
“I’m disappointed he didn’t start earlier,” Pearce said. “We need to cut back on government.”
The New Plymouth rancher said he is looking forward to the results of the performance audit on the Idaho Transportation Department. He said there should some real efficiencies and savings discovered. In the area of education, Pearce said he will continue to push for dual-enrollment, where students can take college courses while still in high school.
“I’m really behind that,” he said, but he has not been able to push it through the Legislature. Pearce said he expects the governor to propose new revenue streams for the state’s transportation program.
“I don’t think it is a good idea to increase taxes during a recession.” Pearce said.
The governor is looking at all kinds of ways to raise revenue, Pearce said. But no matter what methods are called — such as fees — they are still a tax, he said. The three-term senator said he favors relief for Idaho residents on their sales taxes on groceries, but prefers another approach which would benefit Idaho residents only. If the sales tax is removed from groceries, it is takes away revenue from people who don’t contribute to the state’s tax system in any other way. He prefers a tax credit for Idaho residents, who could then receive a tax rebate at the end of the year.
“That’s the most effective way,” he said.
Pearce, 60, and wife, Merry, have seven children and four grandchildren.
