I am a fiscal conservative and believe in limited government. That said, infrastructure is an area where, to me, it makes sense to invest tax dollars.

Infrastructure includes physical structures such as roads and bridges; water supply and sewers. It also includes electrical grids and telecommunications, including internet connectivity and broadband access.

A common thread of all these pieces of the “infrastructure puzzle” is that they are all important to efficiency in our society and in our economy. Another common thread is that the components that make up “infrastructure” can not, for various reasons, be provided, at least not in a practical way, through the private sector of the economy.

Infrastructure is costly. But the value of infrastructure to our society–and to our economy–can outweigh the cost…significantly. The value of the framework that can move people and things from point A to point B in an efficient way is huge! Likewise, the value of a framework that provides clean water and waste disposal. And of a framework that makes efficient internet access for all–or virtually all–residents.

As a fiscal conservative, wasteful spending is “public enemy number one” for me. However, failing to make wise investments in sound infrastructure–which can bring real, tangible benefits to Idaho’s society and economy–is as big of a danger as is wasteful spending.

As I Idaho legislator, I will avoid wasteful spending. And, I will embrace wise spending on sound infrastructure to allow our society and our economy to thrive and to grow.