Statement on the Economy by TJ Thomson

Written by: TJ Thomson on Mar 29, 2009 6:37 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Canyon County DFA, DFA Film Club, Bannock County Democrats, Kuna DFA Group, Boise D.F.A.

Linked to campaigns: TJ Thomson for Boise City Council

Statement on the Economy, by TJ Thomson:

Whether or not you agreed with President Barack Obama's stimulus package, we must now put these resources to use and confront our economic realities. But success is not achieved by simply writing a check and going shopping. The stimulus may help alleviate the problems we face, but it should not be used for more government programs today that we cannot afford to keep tomorrow. We must be sure to spend every penny wisely. Having worked nearly a decade as an auditor in both government and the private sector—seeking out fraud, waste and abuse in our budgets; finding ways to make government programs work more efficiently; and stretching taxpayer dollars further so that we can achieve more with what we spend—I am particularly interested in promoting fiscal stewardship. I will be watching closely to see that taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately. I hope every concerned citizen is watching.

Economic forecasts are bleak, and in Boise, we are feeling the effects directly. After watching several family members leave the city to protect their jobs and seeing many of my West Boise neighbors sell their homes to prevent foreclosure, I am more convinced than ever that we can and must do more. We must lay ideologies aside and do what we can to protect and attract good jobs, spark new business growth, and invest here at home. I praise efforts this year to reject any tax increases—this is not the year to require more of already over-burdened taxpayers, but rather a year to provide relief to the middle class. This is not a Democrat or Republican challenge; this is an American challenge. I am hopeful that our public officials will continue to find ways to see eye-to-eye.

We are faced with many challenges this year. It is not just our pocketbooks getting hit—our infrastructure is falling apart at the seams. I applaud Boise's mayor, Dave Bieter, for standing by the side of Gov. Otter last month on the steps of the old Ada County Courthouse in support of transportation, showing that we can find common ground during difficult times. I encourage our Legislature to do the same and find ways to seek an economic solution that represents collaboration from the best ideas available. Whether you agreed or disagreed with the governor's transportation plan, it's a fact that Idaho lags way behind other states in infrastructure spending. Our infrastructure is aging, including structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges across the state. We also lack an adequate funding source for public transportation which, combined with future growth, only adds to the concern. Transportation must be a priority.

Like many of you, my wife and I are proud to live in what we believe is the greatest city in America, and we want our future to remain just as great. We can either let the worst economic times of most of our lives become a catalyst for change in the way we do business, or we can do nothing and continue the same policies that got us into this difficult position. Now is the time for fresh ideas and proactive governance. We should work together to find ways to bring down the barriers preventing businesses from succeeding, bring a hyper-focus to small business start-ups and long-term economic opportunities in the Treasure Valley, and support efforts that increase purchasing and use of local produce and products to keep those much-needed dollars here at home. We must do these things because people are hurting, and it's not just in the news, it's in our neighborhoods and homes. Let's dig ourselves out, Idaho.
—TJ Thomson
Also posted in Boise Weekly: http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyroba    

RECENT ENDORSEMENTS OF TJ THOMSON FOR BOISE CITY COUNCIL:
• Former Governor Cecil D. Andrus
• Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Marilyn Howard
• Former Congressman Richard H. Stallings
• Former Congressman Larry LaRocco
• Senator Elliot Werk (Senate Assistant Minority Leader)
• Senator Les Bock (Senate Minority Caucus Chair)
• Senator Nicole LeFavour
• Representative John Rusche (House Minority Leader)
• Representative James D. Ruchti (House Assistant Minority Leader)
• Representative Bill M. Killen (House Minority Caucus Chair)
• Representative Donna H. Boe
• Representative Brian Cronin
• Representative Branden J. Durst
• Representative Elfreda Higgins
• Representative Wendy Jaquet
• Representative Phylis K. King
• Representative Anne Pasley-Stuart
• Representative Shirley G. Ringo
• Representative Elaine Smith
• Idaho’s Dem. National Committeewoman Gail Bray (Former State Senator)
• Idaho’s Dem. National Committeeman Jerry Brady
• Former State Senator Mike Burkett
• Former State Representative Margaret Henbest
• Former State Representative Jim Hansen
• Former State Representative Steve Scanlin
• 2006 Congressional Candidate Larry Grant
• 2002 Congressional Candidate Betty Richardson
• Former Idaho Dem. National Committeeman Peter Richardson

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Location: Boise, ID 83713