I moved to Montana in 1976 when my parents moved us from a small town in California. I moved to the Helena area in 1999 and to the East Helena area in 2005. I moved to Helena to take a job with the Montana Department of Revenue where I worked as the Department's primary property tax attorney until 2017. I interpreted existing laws, worked with the Legislature to draft proposed laws, and worked with stakeholders to improve Montana's property tax system. I became the Department's Chief Administrative Law Judge in 2017 where I heard and ruled on challenges brought against the Department by taxpayers. I retired in 2023. As a property ax expert I am uniquely qualified to help fix the current problems with our tax system.
My primary goal is to lessen the tax burden on homeowners and Main Street business owners and would support legislation to do that. I will also work to ensure continued access to public lands for recreational purposes, and to increase access where possible. Access to housing and healthcare must be addressed, as many Montanans cannot afford either. I would support legislation to address these issues. I am also verry concerned with government overreach, the lack of transparency in government, and the need for fiscal responsibility. I would support legislation to address these issues.
Montana’s property taxes are out of hand. Owners of residential property and Main Street business bear an excessive tax burden under the current system, and something needs to be done. However, it’s imperative we fund our local programs and schools. Current laws relating to the calculation of school mills need to be revisited. As a member of the Legislature, I would support a review of historic school financing needs, and work with school leaders, parents, and local governments to determine likely future needs. Once the scope of need is established, I would support legislation that would attempt to fund those needs by requiring corporations and non-resident property owners to bear a fair portion of our residents' property tax liabilities.
Untreated physical and mental health issues of our citizens have significant social and economic impacts on all Montanans. Access to proper health care reduces the overall cost to state and local governments by assisting individuals in becoming more engaged and productive members of their communities. The Legislature should strive to better serve its rural communities through programs designed to establish clinics, mobile health care, and telehealth providers in our rural areas. Our lawmakers should also work to expand services currently provided to low-income and at-risk citizens, and to develop a more workable process for determining and redetermining Medicaid eligibility.
Montana’s Constitutional goal is to establish an education system that will “develop the full educational potential of each person” and to fund the State’s share of that system in an equitable manner. Montana’s school funding process is complex, and I would work with experts from across the state to determine whether that funding process is viable or if new or additional funding is required. The Legislature’s first goal should be to support its public school system rather than to divert tax dollars to privatize education. Montana’s future is in the hands of our children and young adults, and I believe it is imperative that we provide adequate educational opportunities to ensure they become effective stewards of that future.
Birth Place: Kalispell, Montana; Age: 52; reside in Lewis & Clark County; Occupation - Registered Sales Associate for 13 years at Sullivan Financial Group; Graduated Flathead High School - Kalispell, some college; General Securities Licensed (7 & 63) and Montana Life and Disability Insurance licensed.
I have served as the Representative for eastern Lewis & Clark County & Broadwater County since 2019. My legislative experience combined with my Financial Services and an Owner/Operator of a Cattle, Hay and Grain business in the Helena Valley gives me a wide array of knowledge and network of people to call on for assistance in vetting bills.
Without a doubt, Montana's rising residential property taxes. I feel that we are past time for major overhaul of the methods used to calculate taxes. I am very optimistic that the Governor's Property Tax Task Force will be able to identify various problems our communities face with budget needs and be able to provide solutions and relief to the fixed and low income, elderly and disabled Montana Veterans.
The system is set by Legislature but the system is created with input from many stakeholders. It has been many years since the manner in which property taxes are calculated, has seen significant reform.
I've lived in Montana all of my life and I believe during the last 7-10 years, our landscape, houses and rural lands has changed the most drastically. Due to increased demand to live in the 406 area code, real estate prices have driven up values and market values are what drive the equation. It is time to change the equation. It is past time to change the equation. Voters in my district were hurting before the market drove up the property taxes. In 2023 session, we increased funds for tax relief and expanded eligibility for the programs.
In my three sessions, I feel as if we have gained ground each session in addressing the needs of those needing mental and physical health care services. Is it ever "enough" ? Unfortunately no, but the Legislature will continue work on this issue, as we do all others. In 2015, the Legislature passed the HELP Act (Medicaid Expansion), and in 2019, passed the continuation of Medicaid Expansion. It will be on the Agenda again this session. The big push will be to either renew or delete the sunset. Also added in 2019 were work requirements and other measures to help prevent fraud. I think Medicaid Expansion does allow lower-income people to receive health care access.
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