Idaho State Representative District 31B Choose 1
Idaho House of Representatives members serve a 2-year term and are responsible for translating the public will into public policy for the state, levying taxes, appropriating public funds, and overseeing the administration of state agencies. These responsibilities are carried out through the legislative process — laws passed by elected representatives of the people, legislators.
Biographical Information
Term
(208) 589-1100
Campaign Phone
208-589-1100
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/rodfurniss31
X known as Twitter
@https:/RodFurniss1
1. What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I hope in my 4th term to be a better listener and strive for bipartisan and interparty agreements that many can take part in. Ideally I would hope to have vetted budgets, with solid election, and have more authority given by the 10th amendment to run Idaho instead of the federal government running Idaho. We could do so much more with Good Neighbor Authority for our mines, forests and water. We could do better with Health and Welfare funding with that authority and we could do better with health care costs. We will continue to lower property tax through school funding and paying down existing bonds. So much work to do. I hope to be a part of it.
2. What experience has prepared you for this office?
I graduated from BYUI and ISU in Finance and worked at a Bank and then the life and health insurance business in 1986. I obtained advanced degrees in insurance, tax, and financial planning. I have served as the past president of the Idaho Insurance and Financial Advisors, past president of the Idaho Falls Society of Financial Services Professionals, and the past president of the Idaho Falls Estate Planning Professionals. I have served in the House of Representatives since 2019 on Revenue and Taxations, State Affairs, Business, Energy and the Joint Finance and Appropriations committees. I also serve on the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee, Your Health Idaho Board, High Claims Board, Petroleum Tank Board and Hispanic Affairs.
3. What do you see as the most significant challenges Idaho faces that you might be able to address in this position?
School Facilities. This session I introduced H755, a distribution model to get grants to school districts in need that do not have the tax base to build or maintain schools. This help will come from sales tax, not property tax. H521 this year helped schools get a lot of money, but it did not help the rural schools or those with very little tax base. H755 treats all areas as if they were the lowest taxing district in the State. This equalization is crucial to pushing state funds down to the schools in need instead of the largest schools. The large schools that have very little taxing base also benefit. This passed unanimously out of the Education Committee, but we ran out of time in the session.
4. Would you support legislation to remove criminal liability for physicians and pregnant women experiencing life threatening pregnancy complications and allow for medical and family decisions regarding continuation of that pregnancy. Please explain your response.
Yes, I worked with the IMA to help craft verbage for the health of the mother and to limit liability to the physician. North Idaho has been hit the hardest with exiting OB GYNs to the point that the birth mother is in jeopardy. This should not happen in Idaho.
5. What else would you like to tell the voters?
It is a humbling experience to serve in the Idaho Capitol. As I arrive there each early morning before the sun comes up, I marvel at the sight with all the lights on and a surreal feeling comes over me of all the policies and laws that have been passed there. These laws and rules have made Idaho the great state it is. Those men and women that have served there receive my greatest admiration for their sacrifice and dedication to keep Idaho safe, prosperous, and well educated. RodFurniss.com
Biographical Information
1. What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
Candidate has not yet responded.
2. What experience has prepared you for this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
3. What do you see as the most significant challenges Idaho faces that you might be able to address in this position?
Candidate has not yet responded.
4. Would you support legislation to remove criminal liability for physicians and pregnant women experiencing life threatening pregnancy complications and allow for medical and family decisions regarding continuation of that pregnancy. Please explain your response.
Candidate has not yet responded.
5. What else would you like to tell the voters?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
1. What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
Candidate has not yet responded.
2. What experience has prepared you for this office?
Candidate has not yet responded.
3. What do you see as the most significant challenges Idaho faces that you might be able to address in this position?
Candidate has not yet responded.
4. Would you support legislation to remove criminal liability for physicians and pregnant women experiencing life threatening pregnancy complications and allow for medical and family decisions regarding continuation of that pregnancy. Please explain your response.
Candidate has not yet responded.
5. What else would you like to tell the voters?
Candidate has not yet responded.