A PLAN FOR DISTRICT 11
Here’s what I’ll champion at the capital. Not talking points for outside organizations but real legislation for Caldwell families, farmers and our future.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Letting Growth Pay for Itself: Reforming HB 389
THE PROBLEM
A 2021 law is strangling growing communities
Idaho’s House Bill 389 capped local government budget growth at 8%, regardless of how fast a city is growing. For fast-growing communities like ours in District 11, this means infrastructure can’t keep up with population. Fire stations sit unstaffed. Roads deteriorate. Services strain under demand that the budget ceiling won’t allow them to meet.
THE SOLUTION
Reform the cap for high-growth communities
I will introduce legislation to revise HB 389 to allow cities and taxing districts in high-growth areas to increase their budget threshold proportionally to population and assessed value growth, so that new development pays for the services it requires, without raising taxes on existing residents.
” Growth is only a blessing if we’re equipped to manage it. Right now, HB 389 is preventing Caldwell from keeping pace with its own success. New homes, new businesses, and new families bring new demand, and our city government needs the flexibility to meet them without going back to taxpayers every time.”
– Carlos Hernandez, Candidate for Idaho House District 11A
Higher thresholds for high-growth communities
Revise HB 389 to tie budget growth allowances to measurable population growth and new construction value, so growth-driven costs can be covered by growth-driven revenue.
Growth must pay for itself
New development generates new tax revenue. The current cap prevents cities from deploying that revenue on the infrastructure new residents demand. That burden should not fall on existing taxpayers.
Protect rural and small districts
Any reform must be careful not to disadvantage small or rural taxing districts that already operate on tight margins. The fix should target high-growth communities specifically.
Public safety cannot wait
Unstaffed fire stations and stretched emergency services are not abstract policy problems, they are real safety risks to Caldwell families. Infrastructure funding must keep pace with growth.
I believe in responsible government, which means local governments should be held accountable for how they spend. My goal is not to remove oversight, but to ensure the budget ceiling reflects reality for fast-growing communities. Responsible growth planning and fiscal discipline are not in conflict.
EDUCATION
Fund Our Schools First:
A Commitment to Public Education
THE PROBLEM
Public schools are being squeezed
Idaho’s FY2026 public school budget actually saw a decrease in discretionary funding despite years of record growth. School boards report no new operational funding beyond staff pay increases, while $50 million in new tax credits was directed to private school tuition. The gap between what schools need and what they receive continues to grow.
THE SOLUTION
Full funding before new programs
I will advocate for legislation that prioritizes restoring and increasing discretionary public school funding, raises the floor on teacher pay, and ensures that no new voucher or tax credit expansion passes until Idaho’s constitutional obligation to public education has been fully met.
“My mother is a school principal. My siblings are teachers. This is not a political position for me, it is personal. Idaho’s public school teachers and students deserve full, predictable funding before we expand new spending programs. That’s not a liberal value. That’s fiscal responsibility.”
– Carlos Hernandez
Restore and increase discretionary school funding
Idaho school districts need operational flexibility, not just pay increases. I will push for meaningful increases to the discretionary funding that allows districts to meet the real costs of running a school.
Raise teacher pay to competitive regional levels
Idaho cannot afford to lose talented teachers to neighboring states. Competitive pay is an investment in students, and in our workforce pipeline. I will champion continued career ladder expansion and salary floor increases.
No new voucher expansion without full public school funding
I support parental rights and educational choice as values. I oppose diverting additional public dollars to private programs while our public school classrooms are underfunded. The sequence matters.
Expand Career and Technical Education
Idaho’s workforce needs graduates ready for high-demand industries: agriculture, construction, healthcare, and technology. Expanding CTE programs in our public schools is both an education investment and an economic development strategy.
Fix the two-thirds bond threshold
Idaho requires a two-thirds supermajority to pass school facility bonds, a standard that even a 2022 Legislative audit found poses a significant barrier. I support lowering this threshold so communities can invest in safe, modern school facilities.
My honest position: I know this stance makes me a target in a Republican primary. I’m running anyway, because it’s right. Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong economy and a strong community. Parents who choose private schooling deserve respect, and so do the teachers and students in our public classrooms. We can honor both, in the right order.
AGRICULTURE
Protecting Idaho Farms:
Legal Pathways for Agricultural Workers
THE PROBLEM
Idaho farms can’t find the workers they need
Idaho’s agricultural industry depends on seasonal and year-round labor that domestic recruitment consistently cannot fill. The federal H-2A guest worker program exists for this purpose, but its costs, paperwork burden, and delays make it inaccessible for many smaller Idaho operations. Without a reliable, legal workforce pathway, Idaho farmers face a crisis each growing season.
THE SOLUTION
Support legal pathways and state-level advocacy
I will work to streamline Idaho’s state-level role in the H-2A process, reduce bureaucratic friction for Idaho agricultural employers, and actively advocate for federal reform of the H-2A program, including supporting the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to ensure Idaho’s farms have the legal workforce they need to remain competitive.
“Idaho’s farmers don’t want undocumented workers, they want a legal system that works. The H-2A program is that system, but it’s broken for small and mid-size operations. Idaho’s voice in Boise should be pushing hard for a streamlined, reliable, and legal process that keeps our farms productive and our agricultural heritage intact.”
– Carlos Hernandez
Streamline Idaho’s role in the H-2A process
The Idaho Department of Labor plays a key state-level role in H-2A certifications, housing inspections, and domestic worker recruitment requirements. I will push for state-level process improvements that reduce delays and costs for Idaho agricultural employers without sacrificing oversight.
Advocate for federal H-2A reform
State legislators can and should use their platform to push for federal reform. I will actively support efforts like the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which addresses cost barriers for employers and stability needs for workers, and I will coordinate with Idaho’s congressional delegation on this priority.
Protect water rights and land use for agriculture
A reliable workforce is only part of the challenge. Idaho’s farms also face growing pressure from development, water allocation disputes, and land use changes. I will be a consistent voice for protecting Idaho’s agricultural infrastructure at the state level.
Support agricultural workforce housing
One of the biggest H-2A barriers for smaller farms is the housing requirement. I will explore state-level incentives or programs that help agricultural employers meet housing obligations, making legal workforce programs accessible to operations of all sizes.
Expand agricultural CTE pipelines
Long-term, Idaho needs to grow its domestic agricultural workforce. Expanding agriculture-focused CTE programs in our public schools creates pathways for young Idahoans into careers in farming, ranching, water management, and agricultural technology.
A word on immigration and agriculture: Work visa programs are federal law, a state representative cannot unilaterally create visa programs. What I can do is reduce friction in Idaho’s administrative role, advocate loudly for federal reform, and make sure Idaho’s farmers know their representative is fighting for solutions, not just scoring political points. Legal pathways protect workers, protect employers, and protect Idaho’s agricultural economy. That is a conservative value.