Mark Sauter, District 1A

Birth date: February 23, 1958

Profession: Retired (Fire Service) Current State Representative for Bonner/ Boundary County (Dist 1A)

Education background: Undergraduate degree - fire administration Master’s degree - public administration

Bonner County resident and homeowner since 2012.

Married

Three adult children. One grandchild

1. As soon as possible:

Property Tax…. I will present a bill to reduce our local residential property tax burden by adjusting the homeowner’s exemption for property owners (recommend it be increased to $225k), index that amount for future adjustments and amend the lower limit of the exemption to 55% (expands the benefit to more properties).

Rural Healthcare…Our local healthcare system has problems. Many issues need addressing including statute changes, billing, staffing/training, facilities, EMS transportation, and local services. I will advocate for our local hospital needs.

Affordability… continue to support efforts that control spending and direct state funding to projects that have the best return on investment.

2. Local Control…state government has taken on more of the local level decision making than they should. These decisions have reduced funding for local government and the ability to make appropriate and responsible decisions for their residents. State overreach has adversely impacted how cities and counties provide services.

Budgeting Process…state representatives need more access to the details of the state budget. In the last four years, a consolidation of budgets has reduced previous transparency. We need to re-establish single agency budgets and transition from the federal omni-bus style of budgeting.

Bill Overload…some members of the legislature present 40-50 bills (or more) per session. The sheer number of Bills reduces the time the legislature has to focus on the more important bills.

3. Local Control…Legislators need to increase their communications with the local agencies in each District. Public Safety, Business and Industry, Education providers, Cities, Counties and Healthcare agencies all have significant insight into how legislative decisions impact local services and areas. I reach out to our District agencies, often.

Budgeting Process….The rules for the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee need to be adjusted. The process that has been the envy of many for decades was changed 3 years ago and the results have not yielded improvements. Legislators need to have more access to budget information and be required to vote on individual agency appropriations.

Bill Overload….the number of bills being introduced each session has been rising for the last five years. Drafting bills increases costs and takes attention away from the budget. A smaller percentage of bills are being signed by the Governor, so the quality of the bills could be questioned as well. The number of Bills needs to be limited.

4. Conservative Experience…In my four years as a legislator I have consistently represented our District with conservative values. I have built many relationships with constituents and important agencies. It takes time and considerable interest to understand how things work, what it takes for our communities to flourish, and how we can maintain our quality of life in District 1. I’ve successfully drafted/carried over a dozen bills to help improve our Community; all made it into law. Everyday requires an investment of effort to properly represent our communities.

5. Local Advocacy.. I have been a voice for our District issues for the last 4 years. From Lake issues to our healthcare system to public safety to fiscal responsibility to property insurance assistance and transparency, I have spoken out (and carried successful legislation) for our District consistently. This election should be focused on what is important for our District, first, and how State legislation affects our communities. Local concerns are at risk of taking a backseat to national ideology, culture, and party platforms. I believe my duty as a Conservative, elected, Representative is to advocate, first and foremost, for our District.

6. Listen…I’ve found I learn a lot when I show up and ask appropriate questions. Then listen to what people have to say. My job as a legislator is first to understand my area, and the people who live there, and then to represent those interests with my efforts and votes. I’ve found establishing common values can lead to agreement and solutions. Conservative Idaho values are usually what I find to be common ground among differing opinions.

7. I voted for the 2025 tax cuts and the adoption of the federal Big, Beautiful Bill tax cuts. I believe how these tax cuts were implemented exacerbated the budget shortfall situation. It may be that Idaho has a temporary cash flow problem. Rather than across the board budget reductions, I will advocate for future adjustments, and appropriation changes to align with State priorities. We will learn considerably more in the coming months regarding the legislative success in ‘right-sizing’ the 2026 and 2027 state budgets. I believe the State will grow its way out of the current situation. Hopefully without any lasting problems.

8. I believe the Idaho Legislature should prioritize the support of public safety (state patrol, dept of lands, etc), infrastructure (highways, local roads), public education services and public lands. Idaho is one of the least regulated states in the Country, our residents, businesses and communities have prospered in this environment. I believe Local control is very important. Local officials should make decisions for issues close to home. Idaho state services should continue to serve as a foundation for our communities to build on. I believe we live in one of the best places in the country and want to Keep Idaho Idaho.

9. The control of local resources is paramount to a responsive community. Local services are best chosen, provided and supported by those who are closest to the services. For example, our local law enforcement professionals understand our communities and are best placed to make resource allocations. Our local elected leaders are then able to oversee their operations and funding. This local checks and balance system works.

10. How have you prepared yourself to serve District #1? I have served the public for 40 years in a Fire Service (career or volunteer) professional capacity. Many of those years were in a leadership role. ‘Serving’ is part of my DNA. Being a volunteer in the community has also given me a unique perspective on community strengths and weaknesses. For the last four years I have applied my skills, studied, learned, and put in my best effort to being your conservative, District 1, Representative. I am ready to serve another term in the State Legislature.

11. No one will work harder to represent our District than me. I’m asking for your vote so I may continue to responsibly represent District #1.