George Sayler
Party: Democrat
Age: 60
Personal: Grew up in Missoula, Mont. Married to Kathleen Sayler for 36 years. Two grown daughters.
Education: Graduated from Sentinel High School (Missoula) in 1962. Bachelor's degree in history from the University of Montana, 1967. Master's degree in religious studies from Hartford (CT) Seminary.
Professional: Taught government at Coeur d'Alene High School since 1974. Plans to retire if re-elected to the Idaho House.
Political: Elected to the Idaho House, Dist. 4, in 2002. Serves on the House Education, Environmental Affairs and Resources and Concervation committees. Ad hoc member of the Legislature's Natural Resources Interim Committee.
Key issues: Education: Wants proper financial support for education. Thinks the state must improve its funding because it's an investment in Idaho's economic future and the children's future. Good paying jobs: Attract businesses that offer livable wages and benefits. Giving these businesses tax credit for offering those things will help. Must also keep a quality education system to attract employers. Quality of life: With the modern economy, people can go where they want to work. Must properly manage natural resources and enviroment by protecting the aquifer and preserving the Rathdrum Prairie. Health care: Proposes something similar to Maine, where the state can pool its purchasing power and negotiate directly with drug companies. Property taxes: Has a proposal to defer increases in property taxes for long-time residents.
Money raised/spent: Raised: $24,364 Spent: $10,137 as of Oct. 25.
Top contributors: $900 from local eye doctor Justin Stormogipson. $87.50 personal loan plus $29.57 in-kind donation to self. $2,000 IEA PAC for Education $200 Idaho Medical PAC and Boise Cascade. $250 Idaho State AFL-CIO.
Quote: "My focus is education, health care and jobs--also known as the economy. The values I believe in are under-represented at the Legislature. And those are the values Coeur d'Alene has."
Key influence: Teachers, both of faith and politics.
Favorite book: Likes non-fiction. Can't pick just one book.
First priority if elected: Do what I can do to help those having to work on more than one job and don’t have health insurance.
Website: www.gsaylerrep.com
Email: gsaylercda@aol.com
