Editor’s Note: Patrice Yeatter of Lewiston has announced her candidacy for the District 7 Senate seat in the Idaho Legislature. Patrice is active in the Nez Perce County Democrats, where she brings clear thinking, determination and strong values to any issue at hand.

In her Introduction, Patrice tells us about herself and the important issues facing Idahoans today.

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Are you being heard by our legislators in Boise?  No.  That’s why I’m running for the District 7 State Senate seat.

If not me, who?  If not now, when?  Like you, I have had enough of our legislators failing to connect with us and take our viewpoints into account before crafting legislation.  Why do only the wealthy matter?

What I Stand For

TAXES/BUDGET –  The biggest issue from Idahoans, especially in Nez Perce County, is high real estate taxes.  Homeowners Exemption and the Circuit Breaker program need to be updated to give us relief. Instead, the wealthy received a huge tax break.  We need to balance our budget, but not on the backs of the working class and poor.  Repeal the tax break and dip into our Budget Stabilization Fund.

AFFORDABILITY –  Skyrocketing costs of housing, gas, groceries, etc. are a troubling concern and must be addressed in Washington, DC and in Idaho.  We need legislation that encourages builders to construct affordable housing for Idahoans.  That’s one place to start.  

HEALTHCARE –  Idaho is at rock bottom in the nation in doctors per capita.  35% of our OB/GYNs and half of our maternal/fetal specialists moved to other states to practice.  We may lose Medicaid Expansion, leaving 90,000 Idahoans without healthcare and 9,000 jobs lost. We must take action to reverse this downward spiral.

EDUCATION/LIBRARIES –  Idaho ranks dead last in the U.S. for per-pupil spending.  Our legislature handed $50 million in tax credits to private/religious schools, with no oversight or accountability.  Our rural schools will suffer or close their doors, resulting in decimated small towns.  Repeal this action.

Our libraries are the pillars of our communities.  They need to be able to serve the public and schools without culture war harassment.

PUBLIC LANDS –  Idahoans are fiercely protective of public lands and have been for generations.  I will fight to protect that legacy against encroachment from out-of-state influencers.

About Me

I am a retired 30 year letter carrier who moved to Idaho 13 years ago with my wonderful husband, who also retired from the USPS.  Being a blue-collar worker, coming from a family where my father was a teacher and my mother a nurse, naturally led me to be a lifelong Democrat; a party that I feel aligns more with the working class, rather than the billionaire elite.  I like to think of myself as someone who experiences life well grounded and connected to the people who are the cogs in the wheels of society and the economy that sustains it.  I enjoy, baking, volunteering, reading and especially learning, which is why I earned an Associate degree in Science from Nassau Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.

I look forward to serving as your next Senator in Boise from District 7!

Patrice Yeatter

Lewiston

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