Collaboration

I employ the model of collaboration in my work in Congress and on the ground in Idaho. You’ll see the word "collaboration" in my news releases and in my actions; in congressional negotiations and on the ground in Idaho. The process of collaboration often succeeds as a way of achieving consensus on difficult public policy matters.

Regardless of where and what the issue might be, I absolutely believe working together does not require a sacrifice of principles but does require a commitment to problem-solving and a willingness to understand each other’s objectives. Inevitably, at several points along the collaborative path there will be strong disagreements, and successful collaborative efforts have participants that refuse to quit.

In Idaho over the past decade, we have succeeded with public lands projects, such as the Owyhee Initiative, and are hard at work on others, such as the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI), the Payette Forest Coalition and the Boise Forest Coalition.

In Congress, I have engaged in many collaborative efforts over the years. I was appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth. I also was an original member of the Simpson-Bowles Commission and the Senate’s Gang of Six (and later, Eight) seeking a permanent solution to our debt issues.

Over the course of my service, I have had the privilege of visiting all 200 incorporated cities in Idaho, along with many unincorporated communities, to hear directly from you.

Many very difficult issues remain nationally, regionally and within Idaho, such as anadromous fish recovery, sage grouse management and others. I hope the interests involved in each of these issues and more will increasingly embrace the collaborative model.

My staff and I are always available to work with any group as we proceed together in solving Idaho’s and the nation’s problems.