At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, The College of Idaho and the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy will host the gubernatorial candidates of the Democratic and Republican Parties for “Idaho’s Future: A Conversation with the Candidates” – a public event dedicated to in-depth and civil discourse regarding each candidate’s positions on important fiscal issues.
Democratic candidate Paulette Jordan and Republican candidate Brad Little will share the stage at the Langroise Center for Performing and Fine Arts for the first-time event to share their stances on Idaho fiscal policy, which C of I Political Economy Professor Jasper LiCalzi argues is central to any hot button issue the candidates may face as Idaho’s next governor.
“I don’t know any issue that isn’t in some way affected by fiscal policy,” LiCalzi said. “This is an event that will focus on the important issues that people in the state really care about, not just the stories hyped up in the media.”
The Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy is a nonpartisan nonprofit group dedicated to providing policymakers, the public, and the media with accurate information and analysis on state budget and tax issues so that Idaho can make responsible investments with our public dollars. Partnering with the C of I, the center invited the candidates to participate in the event earlier in the year.
Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy director Lauren Necochea said, “A core part of our mission is to help Idahoans better understand the tax and budget decisions that lawmakers make on our behalf. From the way we distribute our tax load to how much we invest in education, transportation, and healthcare, fiscal policy impacts our lives today and determines the vibrancy of our state tomorrow.”
Framed as a civil conversation as opposed to a debate, the event will feature no podiums, no time limits and no surprise questions – instead, both candidates will be able to share their viewpoints on budgetary matters, tax policy and other money-related positions through discussions based around questions both campaigns will receive in advance of the event.
“This is not meant to be a confrontational debate,” LiCalzi said. “We don’t have any ‘gotcha’ questions. We’ve given both candidates time to go over our questions with their teams and we’re giving them the chance to really talk about the issues and their positions.”
LiCalzi said the College as the location was a good fit for the style of the event, one that he said would be a good fit for the College to continue hosting in the future.
“If candidates want to get together and have thoughtful discussions about the issues that matter, the College is the best place to be,” LiCalzi said. “We’re built for education and for learning, and events like these certainly speak to that.” LiCalzi will also be on stage with the candidates to guide the discussion.
The event is free to attend and will be livestreamed on The College of Idaho’s Facebook page and the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy’s Facebook page. Event organizers ask that attendees refrain from bringing campaign material to the conversation, including signs, shirts and displays.
The College of Idaho has a 127-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.