[Vision2020] Osborn, Minser spar for Ringo's Idaho House seat

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today's (May 7, 2014) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Osborn, Minser spar for Ringo's Idaho House seat
Two Democrats share party but hold differing views
The two Democrats seeking to fill the Idaho House seat representing residents of Latah and Benewah counties may share party affiliation but they hold an array of differing views.
The two are vying for the District 5, Seat B now held by Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow. She is running for the U.S. House, 1st District, and is not seeking another term as a state legislator.
Gary Osborn, 56, of Troy, runs a fourth-generation family farm and custom no-till seed business.
Osborn says he is a Democrat because people need to help their neighbors and he wants to ensure "all of Idaho's children succeed."
James "Jim" Minser, 64, of St. Maries, is a land surveyor and business owner.
Minser spent time away from the Democratic Party during the 1990s as a libertarian. He describes himself as a Democrat who is "a civil libertarian and also fiscally conservative."
Regarding the allowance of guns on Idaho's college campuses, Osborn said guns and students drinking are an especially concerning combination.
"I hope it won't end in tragedy," he said.
Minser thinks it's an ill-conceived law, however, because the dormitories - one of the locations where firearms still won't be allowed - could prove attractive to an assailant.
"Your home seems like the most likely place to defend yourself," Minser said.
Medicaid reform not making it through the Legislature this year was a disappointment, Osborn said. If elected, he wants to bring that up for discussion during the next session because of the cost savings to Idaho.
"Everyone in Idaho cares about their kids and their neighbors' kids," he said. "Having access to health care is a necessity not a privilege."
Minser is opposed to Medicaid expansion because it means government involvement in the medical system would be heightened, he said.
The state Legislature trying to target abortion, for example, or some other specific medical procedure also would be highly misguided, Minser said.
Both men say they consider Idaho's education needs important.
Minser prefers less regulation by the state and federal governments. When he was teaching, new programs would be introduced every couple of years. Common Core is just another program, he said.
"It was frustrating because I had classrooms that worked," Minser said.
Osborn said Common Core and standardized tests aren't the only ways to measure achievement and that funding levels need to keep improving for education from kindergarten through college.
"I can understand budget, but I can also understand the value of teachers," Osborn said.
Minser said the national forests in Idaho "cannot be managed. And without proper management a decadent, dying forest is of no economic value."
One reason why management is so difficult, he said, is the Equal Access to Justice Act, which provides a substantial amount of attorney fees and other expenses to eligible individuals and small entities that are parties to litigation against the government.
"Anybody can file a lawsuit to stop a timber sale," Minser said.
Osborn said someone not long ago stopped by his farm shop with a petition they wanted him to sign. It was for Idaho to stop following the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. He thought it would negatively affect Idaho because a healthy environment is vital to preserving the state's outdoor tourism industry.
The primary election is May 20. The winner will face Republican Caroline Nilsson Troy of Genesee and independent candidate David Suswal of Deary in the general election Nov. 4.
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Gary Osborn
Affiliation: Democrat
Age: 56
Occupation: Farm and custom no-till seed business
Lives in: Troy
Years lived in area: Basically whole life
Education: One year at University of Idaho
Community involvement: Latah Soil and Water Conservation Board
Previous elected office: Whitepine and Troy school boards
Family status: Married, three adult sons
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Jim Minser
Affiliation: Democrat
Age: 64
Occupation: Surveyor, used to be a science and shop teacher, and a U.S. Army translator and radio traffic analyst
Lives in: St. Maries
Years lived in area: 10
Education: Degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Community involvement: Volunteer firefighter, Benewah County Precinct Captain (representing county at state convention)
Previous elected office: Ran for Nevada Legislature
Family status: Married, one adult daughter

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Seeya at the polls, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
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