Candidate profile: State Rep. Dist. 2 Position B, Ed Morse (R)

Birth Date:  May, 1950

Profession:  Real Estate Appraiser and Consultant

Educational Background:  Bachelor of Science, University of Idaho; Masters Degree in Business Administration, University of Idaho; Juris Doctorate of Law, Gonzaga University.

Public Service:  No prior public office.

Community Service:  Library Foundation, Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board, Appraisal Qualifications Board - Appraisal Foundation.         

Resident:  Lived in Kootenai County since 1973.

Marital Status:  Married

Family:  Wife Terri, son Chris, dog Zamba.

Hobbies:  Fishing, Hunting, Gardening, Traveling.

 1. Why are you running?  

I am running for office because I felt the residents of District #2 were not getting good political representation at the state level.  Good political representation includes efforts to create jobs, diversify our economic base, provide quality education for our children and school choice, and efficient government.

2. What are the three biggest issues you’ll face?  

Probably Health care/Obama care exchanges; Educational reform issues; and state budget priorities in this economy.      

 3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?

  Evaluate a state vs. federal exchange, and support the best alternative.  Timing will delay a state exchange this year.  As regulations for the federal exchange continue to develop, a change can be made that works best for Idaho.  Federal health care is intrusive, does not expand medical service providers, increases patients, and relies on price controls. We need better solutions.   

I am pro-education, but our current system is expensive and not very efficient.  I support education reforms.  Educating our kids should be a top priority.  We need to make sure school districts have adequate resources and are not hamstrung by union contracts that restrict innovation and protect poor teachers.

As the federal government spirals deeper into debt, funds to the states for federal mandates will decrease.  States must exercise budget discipline and build reserves until fiscal sanity is restored to the federal government.  I support a limited, efficient state government.  I am for states’ rights and primacy in the regulatory fields.  We must limit spending to prevent tax increases.  

4. What specific skills or experience quality you for this job?

 I have 39 years of private sector business experience.  I am a small businessman, and entrepreneur.  I have worked in Kootenai County for the past 39 years and I know the people, geography, real estate, and economic characteristics of this area.  I will take my educational and business background to the legislature.  I employ people, I invest capital, and I pay taxes.  I understand the costs and burdens that government regulations place on job creators and small business.  I will work for a more efficient government.         

5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?

I will bring my background in finance, law, and economics to the legislature.  My opponent supports Obamacare; and has a background of decades of government employment.  He will grow government.  Canadian voting in the Cda City election and an office embezzlement occurred during his tenure as County Clerk.  I’ll work to make government more efficient, and the disclosure of government salary costs more transparent.