Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson
Republican
Legislative District 1 - Representative, Position A; incumbent

Age: 50

City of residence: Priest Lake

Years of residence in Bonner County and Idaho: 22

Marital status/family: Married to Nicky, 3 children Kara, Krista, and Alana.

Contact information:

Website: EricAnderson.info

Education:

Recent or pertinent employment history: 

Public offices held:

Relevant professional affiliations:

Nonprofit groups or service organizations to which candidate belongs: 

Why are you running for public office?

I am seeking re-election to continue my fight for North Idaho issues. I will continue to make our issues, Boise issues.

My love of North Idaho has caused me to be involved in the concerns of our communities. I have been honored to serve this area as an elected official on a variety of Boards and many volunteer committees. I believe in our Citizen Legislature process and know that I will continue to bring to Boise a strong and passionate voice from North Idaho. I have had an excellent working relationship with our elected officials here, and I look forward to continuing our Team effort on all matters that affect us here at home.

If you are elected, how much time will you spend each week in the office?

While in session I spend 100% of my time in office related duties. During the interim session I spend many hours everyday on issues of concern to my constituents as well as serving on and participating in all of my assigned committee positions. Idaho has a Citizen Legislature. It is considered part-time and most have other employment in their districts as I do. My involvement on the many different Boards and Committees that I sit on keeps me involved with the public on a continuous basis and I will continue this practice.

Describe the top three to five issues you believe are most important, why you consider them most important, and your position on these issues.

  1. Property taxes. We have achieved many historical successes this past two years, however we need to move away from trending, and never forfeit our right of Appeal at any level of the process. When we begin unraveling the tax code, the more we realize everything is interconnected. Outside actions have impacted our economy. What used to be a vibrant revenue stream is now, not even a shadow of its former self, as with our Timber Industry. I support the Idaho Timber Industry and other natural resource interests for all of North Idaho. We must be good stewards and properly manage our forests to protect them from disease and wildfire by maintaining good harvesting practices. This is a fundamental tool in funding our schools and thus protecting our most precious natural resource, our children. I am also going to be working towards the elimination of sales tax on food in the very first days of this next session. We have three bills that we will continue to examine over the next few months.
  2. Water. I am for safekeeping of our environment, keeping our lakes and rivers alive; and continuing my efforts to eradicate Eurasian milfoil, one of our most noxious seaweeds in Idaho. Without proper funding and a joint working arrangement with other State and Federal Authorities this one issue could severely damage our economy, as well as greatly restrict our recreational use of our most precious natural resource, clean and abundant water. With the help of my colleagues in District 1 and 2, I was able to convince the legislature to fund a $4 million eradication program which began this summer. We in District 1 received nearly $2 million of that fund, and our efforts will need to continue if we are to be successful.
  3. Economic development. We need to understand the value of working closely with Economic Development Corporations to create jobs in our communities. A good example is the Priest River Economic Development Corporation that implemented the Lakeface/Lamb Stewardship Program at Priest Lake Idaho. It brought nearly $2 million into the community.
  4. Access to our public lands. I will also work hard at defending our accessibility to Idaho’s public lands, working closely with Idaho’s Congressional Delegation on the new healthy forest roadless initiative that allows the governors of each state an opportunity to work with the U.S. Forest Service to establish management of roadless areas in our national forests. We all are aware of the damaging ruling from a Federal Judge in Spokane recently that will close of 300,000 acres of snowmobile access. We must a gear up for a major battle on this, if not, our winter economies will fade away.
  5. Education. We must provide to our children the best education available. Funding issues will be on the table this session, and I look forward to the challenge of bringing some new funding ideas to the floor.

What differentiates you from other candidates? Why should people vote for you?

My work experience combined with my varied volunteer and board positions has provided me with a vast knowledge of North Idaho issues. An effective representative pulls from past experiences in both business and community participation. My knowledge of energy issues, sewer districts, fire departments, education and water issues has been developed from years of involvement. I have a history of managing within a budget and I have always maintained high fiscal standards. I already have the respect of our elected officials on both sides of the isle, and they know of my passion towards North Idaho’s issues. It would be an honor to continue to work with them in Boise on the people’s behalf.