Q: Why did you start your nonprofit Center for Economic Policy?

A: When I came to the legislature eight years ago, the first thing I realized was how little information was available to lawmakers on very detailed, complex issues — from water, environment, taxes, budgets, oil and gas production and educational systems through how governmental agencies operate.

What I saw more and more, on both sides of the aisle, was a tremendous amount of voting by sound bite. The more intense campaigns became, the more legislators would stop to think about what that vote might look like in their campaign, instead of what the policy would actually do down the road. I started the Center for Economic Policy to take these complex issues to policymakers and citizens in the form of educational roundtables with experts from all sides of an issue.

The state's constitution is easily amended by the citizens, so we should do more to educate the public so they understand all sides of an issue.

My goal is to bring full discussions/debates and experts to the table on issues important to the economic vitality of our state.

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