Paulette Jordan in 2018 ID Governor's race
On Health Care:
Expand Medicaid to cover those in state's healthcare gap
Gov. Butch Otter announced that he is backing Proposition 2, the ballot initiative that would expand Medicaid to the thousands of people who currently fall into the state's healthcare gap--making too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but too little
to qualify for insurance subsidies."We cannot continue to let hardworking Idahoans go without healthcare," said Governor Otter. "Proposition 2 will provide healthcare to 62,000 Idahoans and it'll bring $400 million of our tax dollars back to Idaho.
In addition, Proposition 2 will keep our rural hospitals and county clinics open." Prop 2 will appear on ballots across the state Nov. 6.
Medicaid expansion was a topic during this week's gubernatorial debate. Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan
said she is a supporter of Prop 2. Her opponent, Lt. Gov. Brad Little has declined to say whether he will vote for the initiative but said if elected governor, he would respect the will of the voters if they pass Medicaid expansion.
Source: KTVB on Medicaid expansion in 2018 Idaho gubernatorial race
Oct 30, 2018
On Budget & Economy:
The way to a strong economy is investing in innovation
It's a simple fact that Idaho's economy is suffering. Local businesses struggle to keep doors open and many workers cannot provide for their families on a full-time salary. These economic realities hit our rural towns the hardest.
As governor, I will revitalize our economy in every part of our state by investing in innovation and expanding opportunity, especially in rural areas.
Source: 2018 Idaho Governor campaign website JordanForGovernor.com
May 15, 2018
On Education:
Spending wiser will help create funds to invest in education
We can improve the source of funding to our public schools through smarter spending. By eliminating avoidable costs to our state such as expensive and unnecessary legal conflicts, costly contracts to house Idaho prisoners in other states, and tax
loopholes for big corporations, we will have more money to direct to our state's students. My first priority is to invest in an opt-in statewide universal preschool program, where these additional education dollars will have the highest return.
Source: 2018 Idaho Governor campaign website JordanForGovernor.com
May 15, 2018
On Education:
Invest in STEM technology in high school to drive economy
I want to grow Idaho's information technology sector by investing in STEM education at the high school level, so that our state has the workforce to create and drive a booming tech industry.
I will also help foster public-private partnerships between our universities, technology companies, and the Idaho National Lab in order to expand job opportunities for Idaho's students in the information technology sector.
Source: 2018 Idaho Governor campaign website JordanForGovernor.com
May 15, 2018
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage in increments
Idahoans who work full time shouldn't be living in poverty. Idaho has the lowest minimum wage in the West, but the highest number of minimum-wage workers. I will look at every opportunity to raise the minimum wage. I will work with the Idaho State
Legislature and in collaboration with the business community on a graduated plan to begin raising the minimum wage in manageable increments - an initiative other cities and states have successfully accomplished across the country.
Source: 2018 Idaho Governor campaign website JordanForGovernor.com
May 15, 2018
On Crime:
Laws need to be applied and the guilty held accountable
The governor's role is to ensure we are applying the law. We have state law that is not being applied locally; as leaders you should be ensuring that local law enforcement is adhering to the law to a T. Locally there are not a lot who are
investigating when there is a crime, many will overlook people being shot at. And unfortunately there are gun owners who are not being held accountable. We have to make sure we are holding everyone accountable to the furthest extent of the law.
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Clean energy creates more jobs than fossil fuels
[On the economic cost of clean energy]: "The truth is, in fact, that we've created hundreds of thousands more jobs through clean energy developments than we have through fossil fuel developments,"
Jordan said. "The president is choosing to lie to the general public for these reasons, for his own sake to take from the public. Take from the people. And that is wrong."
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Environment:
Wants to keep federal lands and sites safe from sell offs
Jordan said that she also feels a strong personal connection to one of the biggest political issues in Western state politics: the conservation of federal lands and national monument sites that the Trump administration is determined to sell off. "We
have this president who decides to open up monument sites for oil and gas extractions to basically ravage the land for the benefit of the corporations," she said. "That is not only unlawful but goes back to being a detriment to the people."
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Gun Control:
Opposes teachers being front line defenders in classrooms
Q:What is governor's role in providing leadership on firearms? Jordan: It's important for the governor to say we will not carry over the national conversation. We see they want to mandate teachers having guns in classrooms, and
this is where we have a stake to say this is not the culture we want in Idaho. We're listening to every community. The teachers' job is to teach, and why would we expect them to be front line defenders? Front line defenders are school resource officers.
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Health Care:
One solution to health care for all is Medicaid expansion
Q: How would the state pay for a health care program that covered everybody?Jordan: A lot of businesses aren't always able to afford health insurance. I'd like to see local businesses to have the support to offer health care, whether that's through
Medicaid expansion in the state. It would be a huge cost savings. Most businesses want expanded Medicaid. It's just the Republican Party who has said expanding Medicaid would cost more, and people are drinking the Kool Aid.
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Immigration:
She wants to forge pathway for illegals to become citizens
Q: What's the solution to problems around immigration?Jordan: The governor can be the champion to build the pathway forward for undocumented immigrants. As governor, I would have a platform to lobby at the national level to make
sure there is complete comprehensive reform for immigrants to become documented. In Idaho, an undocumented person doesn't have access to a driver's license; that's a major concern for many because they are not insured.
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Jobs:
Partner with local unions building apprenticeships
Q: How can the governor help the state develop the skilled workforce businesses need?Jordan: One thing would be to partner with local unions. Unions are doing a great job with building apprenticeship programs with local high schools to help them get
right into their careers. The other strategy is to build local business into research institutions and high schools, develop partnerships with them. There are a lot of opportunities when you train and mentor your workforce.
Source: Idaho Business Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 27, 2018
On Drugs:
Legalize marijuana and create tax revenue from it
Jordan said she fully supports legalizing marijuana, and backed unsuccessful legislation in the state House to decriminalize it. "This is a natural medicine that grew here for thousands of years," she said. "Unfortunately, we're seeing it being replaced
by the opioid drugs through the opioid industry, which are far more impactful, hurtful, harmful to rural communities and they are destroying our communities. Jordan added that legalizing marijuana could add "millions of dollars in tax revenue."
Source: The Spokesman-Review on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Apr 22, 2018
On Government Reform:
She'll fight to stop corporate money silencing honest votes
Idahoans are tired of the imbalanced and unproductive political system they've endured for the past several decades. We're tired of corporate money smothering our honest, democratic votes. Idahoans value the strength of our communities and the
vitality of our land. We're fiercely independent and we find power and dignity in our self-reliance, compassion and fundamental fairness. This is the spirit of Idaho. I have built my life around these values.
Source: Democracy For America 2018 Idaho Governor race Endorsements
Mar 15, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Address mental healthcare issues of veterans
Jordan said she wants to implement universal background checks and ensure guns are not in the hands of those with mental illnesses.
Along with this policy, she said she hopes to address mental healthcare for veterans and those suffering from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Source: The Argonaut (U. Idaho) on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial race
Mar 7, 2018
On Abortion:
Planned Parenthoods value is more than reproductive care
Q: Where do you stand on ending funding for Planned Parenthood or other reproductive health-care providers?The issue: Idaho does not allow state money to pay for abortions. Idaho has Planned Parenthood offices that provide abortions among a range of
female health care services.
Jordan: "Planned Parenthood serves more than 7,000 Idahoans each year, and its services are essential. In addition to reproductive healthcare, Planned Parenthood provides cancer screenings to patients on a sliding cost
scale, regardless of their ability to pay. For many people in Idaho, especially women, without sufficient healthcare coverage, a Planned Parenthood physician is the only medical provider they visit each year. If we cut funding to Planned Parenthood, we
leave thousands of struggling families and individuals without the services they need to manage their own health."
Lt. Gov. Brad Little: "Idaho does not use state government dollars for funding abortion and that will continue while I am governor."
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
On Families & Children:
Marriage equality should not be limited by state boundaries
Q: If elected, would you challenge the Supreme Court's decision on the ability of states to define marriage?The issue: Otter took his battle to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme
Court. Their rulings legalized gay marriage in Idaho months before the U.S. Supreme Court did the same in Obergefell v. Hodges.
Jordan: "As governor, I would not challenge the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality.
Marriage is a fundamental right for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or geographic location. No one's home state should preclude them from accessing the same rights and freedoms as their fellow citizens in a neighboring state."
Lt. Gov. Brad Little: "While serving in the Senate, I voted to adopt the language defining marriage in the Idaho Constitution. It is the role of the governor to defend our constitution and laws, and I will look for every opportunity to do so."
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
On Gun Control:
Stand-your-ground laws lead to homicide of people of color
Q: Where do you stand on enacting "stand your ground" legislation?The issue: "Stand your ground" is a self-defense law that allows someone to use deadly force, instead of retreating, if they feel their safety is threatened at work, in their vehicle
or other public settings.
Jordan: "While I recently voted to allow our bipartisan House to further debate a 'stand your ground' bill due to appeals by my constituents, I do not support this legislation. The bill seeks to undo Idaho's current gun laws,
and as a gun owner myself, I am concerned by any attempt to loosen laws that enable us to protect ourselves. The fact is that similar 'stand your ground' policies in other states have led to increased homicide rates, especially amongst children and
people of color. Enacting this reckless legislation would make Idaho less fair and less safe."
Lt. Gov. Brad Little: "I would be supportive of a bill that provides a reasonable standard in removing the duty to flee in Idaho's self-defense laws."
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
On Health Care:
Repeal Idaho's 'faith healing' exemption
Q: Where do you stand on repealing Idaho's "faith healing" exemption?The issue: Idaho has come under national scrutiny as one of just two states with an exemption that protects parents from criminal or civil liability if, due to their religious
beliefs, they do not seek medical care for their child and the child dies. The other state is Virginia. According to groups working to change the law, 183 children in Idaho have died under this exemption since it was enacted in the 1970s.
Jordan: "If autonomous adults choose to forgo lifesaving medical treatment for religious reasons, they should be allowed to make that very personal decision. They should not, however, be able to make such a decision for their children.
I support the repeal of Idaho's 'faith healing' exemption because, above all else, our laws should protect the lives of the youngest and most vulnerable people in our state."
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Hard work, compassion and fairness are backbone to values
Q: How do you define "Idaho values"?A: "Idahoans value the strength of our communities and the vitality of our land. Fiercely independent, we derive power and dignity from our own self-reliance. We want high quality education for our children and
we believe that compassion and ethical responsibility are the essential principles of being a good neighbor. We understand the importance of protecting the natural world. We believe in fundamental fairness. We believe in hard work and we believe in
taking care of one another."
Lt. Gov. Brad Little: "Hard work, freedom, self-reliance, family and faith are Idaho values. As a lifelong Idahoan, I have lived these values."
U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador: "Idahoans are an optimistic people of high moral character who are defined by their love for family and community, faith in God, and rugged independence.
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Religious freedom is no excuse for bigotry
Q: Where do you stand on enacting legislation protecting citizens from civil action for exercising their religious beliefs?The issue: In 2016, when same-sex marriage became legal in Idaho, a Coeur d'Alene church challenged
the city's anti-discrimination ordinance in federal court, fearing officials would come after it for not performing same-sex marriages. The city said the church is exempt from the ordinance.
Jordan:ÿ"I believe in the right to religious freedom, but
I do not support religion as an excuse for bigotry. LGBTQ folks are entitled to the same legal protections against discrimination that women, people of color, people with disabilities, and religious minorities have fought for
and won over the past century. Religious freedom laws should not permit businesses or individuals to unlawfully discriminate against their fellow taxpaying Idahoans on the basis of sexual orientation."
Source: Idaho Statesman on 2018 Idaho Gubernatorial debate
Feb 25, 2018
Page last updated: Dec 11, 2018