MONTANA SENATE DISTRICT 16 Choose 1
State Senator – the office of state senator serves in the Montana legislature’s upper house. There are 50 senators who are elected from districts made up of two House districts. Senators are elected to 4-year terms which are staggered so that half are elected every two years. Senators 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. Senators are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms.
Biographical Information
Campaign Website
http://jacobsformtsenate.com/
Campaign Facebook URL
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561945912465
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?
I am originally from Hardin, MT. I am 64 years old currently residing 50 miles south of Malta where my husband & I are owner/operators of a cattle ranch. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education & Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln & a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. I have resided in Nebraska, Colorado & South Carolina. I have held several professional positions. I have also held numerous leadership positions in volunteer and professional organizations. This vast array of experiences has provided me a broad view of the world. I will use that depth & breadth of experiences to evaluate legislation as it relates to meeting the needs of my constituents.
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?
Affordable and adequate housing is a pressing issue across the state. While I am no expert in this area, I would turn to organizations already in place addressing this need and work with them to establish viable solutions.
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?
Current Montana law states that any parcel of 160 acres or more automatically qualifies for an agriculture rate, which is a significantly reduced property tax rate. However, in recent years not all such land parcels are used for agriculture purposes and I would support legislation that charges them a higher rate, such as a recreation rate (although that is not a current rate classification in Montana).
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?
One of the obstacles to mental health care in this state is a lack of providers. I would support a system that assists with a college education if upon graduation and with professional certification the student spent 3-5 years practicing in a rural Montana location. Rural Montanans may also face the obstacle of transportation to a medical facility. Anything we can do to improve access to a public transportation system is beneficial.
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?
Educating our youth is one of the most important and essential things we can do to maximize their potential and to ensure a quality future for all. Additional funding mechanisms are needed and would be supported if it does not increase taxes.
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?
Candidate has not yet responded.
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?
Medicaod/Medicaid Expansion. CHAP. Resolution to promote individual voting and remove electoral college voting, switching to popular vote
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?
Tax the rich at a higher rate. Put the rainy day fund in the rainy day fund and not give $2.5 billion yo the rich. Keep the hospital doors open and reopen the rest homes along hiway 2
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?
Just keep the Medicaid/Medicaid Expansion in place and shore up Medicare.
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?
Raise the teacher wages for retention. Waive the student debt.