Issue Position: Managing Endowment Lands

Issue Position

As your State Controller, I serve on the Idaho Board of Land Commissioners with Governor Otter, Secretary of State Ysursa, Attorney General Wasden and Superintendent of Public Instruction Luna. Together, we are responsible for overseeing a trust including the management of 2.4 million acres of Endowment Land -- lands which were granted to Idaho at statehood for the sole benefit of institutions like our public schools.

Article IX Section 8 of the Idaho Constitution requires the Land Board to manage these lands for "the maximum long term financial return to the institution to which granted." This constitutional principle has been upheld by the courts in numerous cases and means that Endowment Lands exist solely to provide money for the beneficiary institutions. Other uses such as subsidizing economic development programs or other purposes that don't directly provide financial support for the beneficiaries are prohibited.

When I took my oath of office to serve as your State Controller, I made a solemn promise to uphold the constitution and laws of our state and nation. By extension, I also promised to serve on the Land Board with undivided loyalty for the beneficiaries of the Endowment Land trust, like our public schools, colleges and universities, and veterans homes, among others. This means I won't put any individuals or special interests ahead of the endowment beneficiaries when I vote as a Land Board member, and I will always follow our constitution and laws.

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