Greetings,
I am Larry Nostrant and I am running as a Democrat for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 7, Position A.
I have lived in the region since 1987 and in Lewiston since 2018. I hold a BA in Public Finance and Economics. I did my postgraduate studies in Construction Management. I am a decorated veteran of the US Coast Guard.
After my military service I worked for the US Forest Service as a hydrology technician until being placed in Bank Management Training through the Veterans Education and Placement program at the end of the Viet Nam war. I acquired my BA during the twelve years I was working as a lending officer in four large commercial banks. In 1986 I returned to the construction industry where I had apprenticed prior to entering the service.
Since that time, I have worked as a journeyman carpenter, job foreman and project manager. In 2002 I completed 2 years of construction management studies in part to further my progression in this career. I retired in 2012.
After retiring I acquired an Idaho Outfitter and Guides license and provided fishing opportunities in several western states, Costa Rica and Panama tailored to working class sportsmen.
Since moving to Lewiston, I have closely followed the legislative policies coming out of Boise. I have observed a continued decline in services provided to taxpayers. A never-ending increase in the taxes levied against Idaho’s non-corporate taxpayers. The squandering of tax dollars for the benefit of special interests. The cost of prosecuting spurious lawsuits by the State’s Attorney General has cost the taxpayers a king’s ransom in litigation costs and attorney’s fees awarded by the courts to the defendants in these lawsuits.
The 2026 Legislative session is turning out to be a blood bath. The Governor and the Republican budget writers have generally cut 5% in the appropriations thus far. And, in select areas like education, medical services and senior citizen services ZERO seems to be their target. Specifically, the SEAP program for National Guard members, fire prevention/suppression efforts in the Department of Lands and National Guard Disaster Response line items are now at zero dollars appropriated.
My campaign goals are:
- Restore affordability to homeowners through market adjustment of the Homeowners Exemption for primary residences.
- Get K-12 education funded at a level where the State is not the laughing stock of the Nation. Most notably by rescinding the cash give away that is the Homeschooling cash gift. Why should the State be willing to give 10 TIMES the money to homeschooled child that they grudgingly provide to traditional schools for that same child?
- Promote apprenticeship, mentorship and technical trades programs. When meshed with reasonably well-prepared secondary school students, these programs can provide a growing workforce to replace the old farts like me.
- Reduce some restrictions and increase incentives in part-time jobs for high school students. This will instill a work ethic, teamship, and provide a sense of worth in students willing to put the effort forth.
- Protect and preserve our Federal Public Lands. Outdoor recreation is the foundation of the Idaho Experience. This foundation will crumble if these lands are fenced in and locked up by greedy outsiders, turned into private playlands by a wealthy few, and natural resource extraction companies hoping to make a quick buck off their holdings. Frank Church had it right!
In closing, I am running a NO BULLSHIT/NO DOG WHISTLE campaign. My position on every issue will, to the best of my ability, be thoroughly researched from multiple angles. Primarily it will be guided with my constituents’ input and WHAT IS BEST FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OF MY CONSTITUENTS. And, I will seriously explain my position to my constituents. Not at the run up to the next election, but as I develop a specific position.
Thank you for allowing me to present myself.
Sincerely,
Larry Nostrant
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