Join Travis Manning and Idaho gubernatorial candidate A.J. Balukoff this Monday, 4 to 5 pm in Caldwell.
All political parties are invited.
Feel free to bring questions for us. Free Mexican food!
Travis Manning:
For over 20 years, Travis Manning’s honesty and hard work have helped thousands of kids and made his communities, and Idaho, a better place.
Travis, 43, and wife Ann moved to Idaho 9 years ago because they thought it was the best place to raise a family. Travis and Ann have 3 children, the twin boys, Cael and Whitaker age 4, and their adopted daughter from China, Eliza, 3, adopted during his first run for the Idaho House in 2012. He is an Eagle Scout and former high school wrestling standout from Tacoma, Washington who has deep Idaho roots, and graduated from now BYU-Idaho in 1993.
As a teacher and community builder, Travis is active in his teacher organization serving on numerous committees. He has been a Scout leader for much of his adult life. And he has helped
watchdog our democracy as Executive Director of The Common Sense Democracy Foundation of Idaho, enabling parents, teachers and community members to learn and speak out about our public schools and how we can better protect them. He has been a voice for those who were afraid to speak out.
Travis has worked to shape the character of Idaho’s greatest natural resource: our kids. He has been a public voice of reason with the op-eds he has written in newspapers statewide. He has worked with legislators from both parties to make sure the voices of Idaho citizens are heard at the statehouse.
Travis Manning applies the same basic values to everything he does: Act responsibly. Speak truth to power. Put other people first. Support fair treatment and respect for all Idahoans. As a principled leader, it is why he has been able to make such a difference in the lives of thousands of kids he has worked with over the years and it is why he will be able to make such a difference for Caldwell, and why he will be able to do even more as the next Representative in Caldwell’s District 10 seat A.
SOURCE: http://votetravismanning.com/
A.J. Balukoff:
AJ writes: More than 30 years ago, my wife Susie and I moved to Idaho because we believed it was the best place in the country to raise our children. Over the years, our family has enjoyed Idaho’s natural beauty and its culture, and I’ve had the good fortune to build a successful business and serve on the boards of several organizations. We have proudly watched our family grow to eight children and 30 grandchildren.
But now I see how our state government has neglected our public schools for far too many years and the toll that has taken on our great state, and I worry about the future facing my grandchildren and all of Idaho’s children. And state economic policies are making it harder than ever for families to make ends meet.
That is why I’m running for governor.
While traveling around Idaho, I have heard from many Idahoans who are deeply worried about critical issues like our education system and economy. I’ve heard people talk about the urgent need for transparency, balance, and accountability in state government.
Unfortunately, Gov. Otter and other state leaders continue to focus on issues that polarize and divide people rather than bring us together. Many of these issues have no impact on most Idahoans. But they take time, energy, and resources away from the important issues: education and economy.
Idaho ranks 50th in the nation in the amount we invest in each student. We rank 47th in the rate of high school graduates who go on to college. State cuts in education spending have forced 40 districts to hold school only four days a week.
Education and our economy go hand in hand. We are 50th in the nation in per-capita income, and second in minimum-wage jobs. Idahoans are commuting out of state or working two jobs to make ends meet. The lack of good-paying jobs is undermining ourwonderful quality of living.
This is unacceptable.
As a certified public accountant for many years, and a businessman, and as a member of the board of several organizations, including St. Luke’s Treasure Valley, the Boise Philharmonic, and Boy Scouts of America, I have always recommended actions and policies that are fiscally sound.
As governor, I will use those same values and priorities to set policies that make sense for Idaho—not just fiscally and economically, but also for the people of Idaho. I will focus on the concerns of hardworking Idahoans, and listen to the public and key stakeholders rather than signing laws that ignore important voices. I am running for governor to restore balance, transparency, and accountability to our statehouse.
My father had only an eighth-grade education, but he insisted that each of us kids get a good education. I was the first of my grandfather’s descendants to obtain a college degree. I want to ensure that every Idaho child has an equal opportunity for a quality education.
With your support and our shared vision, we will restore the greatness of the beautiful state of Idaho.
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