place of birth, i was born in Libby MT, i am a 3rd generation Montanan
age, I am 63 years old,
permanent residency, I live in East Helena,
occupation/employer; i am retired. For 22 years i was a Montana State Trooper,
education, i have a BS in Wildlife Biology from University of Montana and an associate's degree in wildlife management. I also graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
o After retirement i joined several advisory councils (5-federal, 2-state, & 1-county). I also sit on several other community boards. These experiences have taught me to be a solutions-based person who is willing to work towards a common goal or solution.
o During my work years I taught extensively at the Mt Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA).
I believe property taxes and water rights will be the big issues in the next session.
Property taxes: Montana has a fair property tax system; we rank 5 or 6 in the nation for fairness. Except politicians always want to fix what is not broken. Property taxes are a closed loop system, all 16 classes of property’s percentages = 100%. If you cut one of the 16 classes percentages, then that percentage cut is added onto the other 15 classes (depending on where the legislature adjusts them).
Water rights: The fight will be between the developers/well drillers and the Sr water rights holders. There is a current lawsuit pending on this. The compromise will come out of the legislature.
Montana has a fair income and property tax system. We need to fight any attempt to bring a regressive sales tax to Montana.
The Legislature can: establish a state reinsurance program, strengthen price transparency laws, expand direct primary care models, promote competition and provider networks, address pharmacy benefit manager programs, and support Rural Healthcare Funding.
We need to ensure that our citizens have equal access to voting. I think we need more polling locations, ensuring more ballot drop off locations in rural areas, reducing restrictive voter ID laws (use of student IDs, tribal IDs), and expanding the number of education opportunities for voters. Money provided by the Federal Government should be used to support the underserved areas of Montana. Law makers need to hold the line on any additional restrictions on ballot collection and drop off, voter ID limitations, reducing polling or drop off locations, and other restrictions that will limit tribal member voting opportunities.
We need to pass I-166, Mt Corporate Contributions Initiative.
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