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MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 80

State House Representative – the office of state representative serves in the Montana legislature’s lower house. There are 100 representatives who are elected from districts. Representatives are elected to 2-year terms. Representatives propose and vote on proposed laws during the legislative sessions that meet for 90 days in odd-numbered years, and provide oversight of state agencies and study issues through interim committees that meet between sessions. Representatives are limited to four consecutive 2-year terms.

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  • Candidate picture

    RACHEL BURRIGHT
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    MELISSA ROMANO
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Question 1: Please briefly provide the following information: place (town or county and state) of birth, age as of election day 2024, place (town or county) of permanent residency, occupation/employer, and education. How do these things and your other life experiences qualify you to be an effective legislator?

Question 2: What do you consider to be the most pressing issues facing Montana heading into the 2025 session and what legislation would you propose and/or support to address these issues?

Question 3: Many Montanans are concerned about rising residential property taxes, which primarily fund local government services such as schools, counties and city/town programs but are calculated through a system set by the Legislature. What changes to the state tax system, if any, would you support to provide property tax relief while maintaining sufficient revenue for essential services?

Question 4: Considering the state’s role in mental and physical health care services, especially in helping cover the costs of services available to lower-income Montanans, what additional steps, if any, do you believe the Legislature should take to enhance health care access and promote Montanans’ health?

Question 5: Many education leaders are concerned that the state’s existing school funding formula isn’t keeping up with the costs of educating students. What proposals, if any, would you support to ensure adequate and sustainable long-term funding is available for public pre-K–12, college/university, and vocational education programs?

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Born in Spokane, Washington Current age as of election day 2024 is 48 Current town of residence is Helena I am employed with the Helena School District as an Instructional Coach I have a Master of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport

Helena has been my home for the past 48 years. Growing up I was raised not only by my parents, but by this community. I am running for re-election because I want to continue to give back to my community. As a public servant my entire career, I am an effective problem solver who can find common ground for solutions to the challenges facing Helena and Montana. As I seek re-election, I'm eager to continue leveraging my passion, experience, and collaborative spirit to serve the people of Montana.
Heading into the 2025 session, Montana confronts pivotal challenges in education, housing, and healthcare. This impacts residents' well-being and opportunities. I will propose legislation to enhance public school funding, reduce class sizes, and expand teacher training. Additionally, we must address the housing crisis by incentivizing affordable housing construction and supporting tenants' rights. Furthermore, I advocate for broader Medicaid eligibility, consumer protections, and reduced prescription costs to ensure comprehensive and accessible healthcare. Let's unite to enact bold policies for a brighter future.
I recognize the strain of escalating residential property taxes, especially for fixed-income families and seniors in Montana. While vital for funding local services, our tax system must be fair. Our current regressive property tax system disproportionately affects working families. I propose shifting the tax burden from residential homeowners by increasing taxes on other property classifications. This would bolster the local economy, benefiting all Montanans. Fairness demands everyone contributes equitably to uphold our beloved state and its essential services.
I'm committed to tackling the critical issues facing Montanans, starting with accessible healthcare. No one should forego medical care due to financial constraints. I'll continue pushing for policies that provide quality healthcare for all, regardless of income. Extending Medicaid beyond 2025 is crucial, especially for vulnerable populations like children. We also must address healthcare access disparities, especially for vulnerable and rural populations, by investing in preventive care, telehealth, and rural healthcare options. Healthcare is a basic human right, and I plan on continuing the fight to create accessible and equitable healthcare for every Montanan.
I am fiercely dedicated to ensuring everyone in Montana can receive high-quality education, from pre-K through college. Our current school funding formula falls short, hindering schools from keeping up with rising costs. In the legislature, I proposed removing the cap on inflation adjustments to enable schools to budget more effectively. I will continue to advocate for a comprehensive review and reform of the funding formula so it caters to student needs. We need to increase state investments to create funding for smaller class sizes, teacher trainings, and technology access. Public schools and higher education are the bedrock of our society, and they must serve everyone, regardless of background.
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