Candidate Profile-Steve Vick
Birth date: 05/23/1956
Profession: Owner of Vick Homes, a home renovation business
Educational background: Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Montana State University
Public service (elected or appointed offices): Elected to four terms in the Montana House of Representatives, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee
Community service (service clubs, nonprofit boards, etc.): Teaching parenting classes with my wife and home group leader at Real Life Ministries. Head Basketball Coach at Christian Center High School in Hayden.
How many years as a resident of your city: Five
Marital status: Married to Cheryl for 25 years
Family: Three sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and one grandson
Hobbies: Coaching and watching basketball, making furniture, taking care of and driving my classic car.
Why are you running for office?
We are at a crucial time in our nation's history and need legislators who are committed to Constitutional and conservative principles such as individual liberty, limited government, the sanctity of life, the right to keep and bear arms and free enterprise. I will fight for these principles. Bureaucratic mandates, whether from Washington D.C. or Boise, are not the solution.
What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?
1. A poor economy and the loss of jobs and opportunity due to the poor economy.
2. Federal Government intrusion into our lives, examples would be Obamacare, federal "stimulus" and "bailout" programs that spend our children's money, and any sort of amnesty program for illegal aliens.
3. The pressure to raise taxes to solve the "budget shortfall."
If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?
1. According to the Tax Foundation the way to a strong economy is through low, stable tax rates. Idaho has one of the highest marginal income tax rates in the United States. It would be a tremendous boost to our economy if we eliminated the income tax. We should also reduce property taxes and eliminate the tax on groceries.
2. Obamacare is the worst of many bad examples of federal intrusion into our lives. If the Federal Government is allowed to force us to buy health insurance there is no end to what they might do. This law needs to be stopped along with refusing unconstitutional federal mandates and enforcing immigration laws with state and local police if necessary.
3. I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge which is my promise to you that I will not vote to raise your taxes. So instead of looking to raise taxes to solve the budget shortfall I will look for waste, and fat in essential programs and will look to eliminate government programs that are not required or are not Constitutional.
What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?
I have owned my own business for over 20 years and I have also been an employee of someone else. This experience helps me relate to the challenges that people face in this tough economy. I also have significant legislative experience working with state budgets. This will be important as we look to trim the state's budget.
Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?
I have a proven track record of voting against tax increases. My opponent, in just the last two sessions, has voted to increase the gas tax, increase the cost of a driver's license, and put us on a path to taxing sales on the internet. I will take a stand for liberty and the American people now!