Priorities
Focused on building a stronger Idaho, Karen Matthee For Idaho prioritizes lowering the cost of living, expanding access to rural healthcare, protecting public lands, investing in public education, supporting veterans, and creating greater opportunities for working families.
Through responsible stewardship, smart investments, and policies that strengthen local communities, the goal is to make Idaho more affordable, healthy, and prosperous for future generations.
Lower Cost of Living
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Restructure property taxes so that commercial properties are paying their fair share and homeowners are not shouldering the bulk of the property tax burden. And raise the homeowner’s exemption by returning to the index, which was based on the sales price of Idaho homes and was capped in 2016.
And give seniors over age 65 on fixed incomes a reprieve.
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Eliminate the grocery tax and taxes on tips and overtime.
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Let’s restructure the state’s 5.3% flat income tax rate. Because lower- and middle-income families shoulder a disproportionately heavier burden than wealthy households.
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Push for the state to fully fund Idaho public schools, including facilities, so that the need for bonds and levies is alleviated. Idaho public schools receive the least state funding in the country.
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Offer state tax incentives for sellers who sell homes below market value to working-class families. Support land-use policy that improves housing affordability and availability.
Support reforms allowing smaller manufactured homes, smaller lots for starter homes, and more backyard cottages.
Access to Rural Healthcare
Solutions are needed to keep and recruit doctors in Idaho and keep our hospital in business.
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Fund the WWAMI (five states served by the University of Washington School of Medicine’s regional medical education program, including Idaho) and the University of Utah doctor training programs to draw doctors to Idaho, particularly to our underserved rural areas.
Idaho ranks near the bottom for doctors per capita, leading to long wait times and heavy reliance on telehealth for mental and specialty care.
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Trust medical professionals to guide pregnant women in making private, highly sensitive decisions about their reproductive health.
Bonner County lost all four of its ob/gyns and 42 percent of ob/gyns fled Idaho, citing the state’s strict abortion bans and threats of legal punishment as primary factors.
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The majority of Idaho voters supported this.
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Re-evaluate state cuts to reimbursement rates for providers who treat Medicaid patients.
Public Lands
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Future generations will thank us.
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Promote access to public lands in a way that respects private property rights as well as the need for preservation of resources.
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Push to expand shared stewardship programs like The Good Neighbor Authority, a federal-state partnership allowing the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) to plan and implement forest, watershed, and habitat restoration on federal National Forest System lands.
These cooperative efforts help improve forest health, reduce fuels and threats to communities and watersheds from catastrophic wildfires, and create more jobs and economic benefits.
Education
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Support state funding for Idaho public schools that is at the very least on par with the national average. Idaho schools receive the least state funding in the country.
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Support initiatives that allow our kids to have the tools and skills they need to thrive in a modern economy.
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Reverse legislation that limits teachers’ unions’ ability to advocate on political issues and collaborate on professional development with their local districts.
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Fund the LAUNCH program.a state-funded grant program that covers 80 percent of tuition and fees (up to $8,000) for graduating high school seniors and GED completers who pursue education or training in in-demand careers.
Veterans
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Make sure our veterans have access to quality medical and mental health care. Veterans in District 1 and across the state struggle with continuity of care.
