Lee Responds to Survey in Gem State Voters Guide...more

Lee Responds to Survey in Idaho Voters Guide...more

"No response" from Dems...

Please give a brief summary of your background

Education:    Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics, University of Idaho

Work Experience:    I was raised on a seed potato farm in Valley County, and partnered with my brother in law in a cattle ranch and a potato farm in 1960-1970. The Farm Bureau Arizona, Farm Bureau Idaho and Farm Bureau Insurance employed me from 1965-1975.

Civic Activities: Past President, Idaho Association of County Recorders & Clerks Past President, Idaho Association of Counties Chairman, Cascade Rural Fire District Board of Trustees, Cascade Medical Center Chaired Committee to Revise IAC Uniform Accounting Manual Chaired Committee to Establish Ethics Guidelines Currently Serving on IAC Board Currently Serving on National Association of County Recorders & Clerks Original organizer West Mountain Snowmobile Club Public

Offices Held:  Chairman, Cascade Rural Fire District Board of Trustees, Cascade Medical Center  

Please list any other background information you would like to share with the County Farm Bureau Candidate Evaluation Committees

1. Do you currently hold a public office?

2. How long have you held your current public office?

15 + years

3. Please indicate the major reasons you are seeking reelection or election to the public office for which you are a candidate?

It is my desire to protect traditional values, assure continued access, sustainable use of the land and natural resources, and make myself available to the constituents to insure that I provide their representation. I believe that Thomas Jefferson was absolutely right when he said “When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself as public property.”  

4. Please list the groups/organizations you are involving in your election campaign?

5. If elected to the public office you are seeking, how will you establish and maintain communication with the agricultural community?  

I will encourage contact by telephone, mail, email and publications. I have a 5 th wheel which I intend to use as a mobile office and travel to each of the four (4) counties in District 8. . I intend to hold town hall meetings during the summer months.

6. What do you consider the major problem facing all the people of Idaho and what do you feel would be the best solution to the problem?

Property Taxes: Restricting the 3-legged stool for taxes and less reliance on property tax. Water: It is the lifeblood of Idaho. We must keep Idaho water in Idaho for the benefit of Idaho. Water rights are a property right Property Rights: Prosperity and property rights are inextricably linked. The importance of having well-defined and strongly protected property rights should be widely recognized among policymakers. Simply put property rights is the key to economic development.

7. What do you consider the major problems facing Idaho Agriculture and what do you see as the best solution to the problem?  

Disappearing farmland and farmers need an improved economic climate to ensure profitability and to make agriculture attractive as a. livelihood for the next generation.

8. What is your vision of Idaho agriculture in the next 5 years?

9. Please share your thoughts on how Idaho’s water should be managed?  

The constitution and statutes of the State of Idaho declare all the waters of the state, when flowing in their natural channels, including the waters of all natural springs and lakes within the boundaries of the state, and ground waters of the state, to be public waters.The constitution and statutes of the State of Idaho guarantee the right to appropriate the public waters of the State of Idaho. When a private right to the use of public waters is established by appropriation, a water right is established that is a real property rights much like property rights in land. The constitution and statutes of the state of Idaho protect private property rights, including water rights. Consequently, Idaho water should be managed for Idaho only within the existing waters structure.

10. What is your position on the priority doctrine? Please explain.

11. What is your position on the super majority required to pass school bonds? Please explain.    

If they can’t get 2/3rds of the people to endorse a project it probably shouldn’t be done.

12. Please share your thoughts on property taxes, how should they be used and how their growth can be controlled?

13. What is your position on how maintenance and operations of public schools should be funded?  

 Property tax cannot continue to be the main source of funding. This leaves only the general fund to make the needed payment.

14. How do you feel about the production and use of renewable fuels in Idaho?    

It is an absolute necessity and we should be encouraging the use of these resources. Not only would such a program be beneficial for Idaho’s agricultural community but also with trade deficit.

If you are endorsed by Agri-PAC Committee and would like to be eligible to receive a campaign contribution, please complete the information below.

Leland G.“Lee” Heinrich
Candidate Senate Legislative District 8
P.O. Box 1092Cascade, Idaho 83611
Phone: 208-382-3244