Sue Chew re-elected by majority vote on November 2nd!

Representative Sue Chew's Legislative Issues

Sue Chew is committed to working hard with people in our community on the issues that matter most.

Environment

Rising gas prices and increased emissions have had a negative impact on working families across the state.  While serving in the Idaho Legislature I co-sponsored a concurrent resolution to increase efficiency within Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of Energy Resources.  This resolution would have placed the development of energy conservation and instate renewable resources as a high priority, while creating new jobs.  Let’s work together to make our environment livable today, and tomorrow.

Transportation

While serving in the Idaho Legislature I galvanized a plan to protect middle-income families from a flat rate increase in registration fees to a plan that agreed with Idahoans from all income levels - a sliding scale based on the age of their vehicle.  This plan would have saved working families $4.77 million in registration fees.  Road congestion and rising gas prices have led to an increased demand for public transportation throughout Idaho.  I support local option funding to satisfy this growing necessity.  Let’s work together to make commuting efficient and affordable to all Idahoans.

Education

As an educator I know first hand that the future of our community is rooted in the education of our children.  I support empowering our teachers with the flexibility to truly educate the next generation.  While serving in the Idaho legislature I co-sponsored a plan that would allow school districts to save the money normally spent on energy costs to providing adequate textbooks.  This would have required the construction of new school buildings to be more energy efficient and given our children the privilege of updated textbooks and an environment of natural light and quality air circulation.  Let’s work together and provide our children with the education they need to compete in job market.

Pre-k:
Children begin developing their cognitive skills early in life.  Studies show that the quality of education and social interaction in this time period are essentials for later development.  Early childhood education is essential for socializing and preparing our kids for their academic careers. Let’s work together to ensure our children’s educational needs are met early and often.

K-12:
Overcrowded classrooms affect the quality of education for each individual student, as well as the success of teachers.  Teachers should be given the ability to the work “one on one” with students in order to provide excellent service and help students excel in and out of the classroom.  Let’s work together to have knowledge rewarded - not test scores.

Post-secondary Education:
A college education should be affordable and accessible to all Idahoans.  The cost of college tuition in Idaho continues to climb; our families and high school graduates are struggling to afford the continuing education they need to compete in the workforce.  Lowering fees and increasing access to scholarships are essential components to keeping our community thriving.  Let’s work together to create and maintain a job rich environment so Idaho college graduates stay in Idaho.

Healthcare

My experience and interest in healthcare have given me the knowledge to understand that affordable healthcare is a necessity for all – not a privilege.  Every Idahoan should be given the ability to access quality, affordable healthcare.  Let’s work together towards a healthy future.

While serving on the Health and Welfare Committee in the Idaho Legislature, I have fought to increase efficiency within our healthcare system while reducing costs to individuals.  I co-sponsored a bill that would allow the Idaho Prescription Drug program to serve more of the community while saving individuals substantial out of pocket expenses.  This plan proposed an ingenious avenue for funding and would have eventually become a self-funded, self-sustaining program to ensure affordable prescription drug coverage.

Business

Idaho needs to promote and attract healthy competition and growth within our state by providing the best possible resources for businesses to thrive.  I will continue to make sure small businesses have a voice in the Idaho Legislature, especially focused on adequate health benefits for themselves, their families and their employees.  Let’s work together to continue to provide local businesses the resources they need to sustain.