MONTANA HOUSE DISTRICT 49
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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SHERRY ESSMANN
(Rep)
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RUDOLF HADEN
(Dem)
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 Powell, Wy, 49 on Election Day. Resident of Billings, Mt. Retired Navy Intelligence Officer/USN. MA US Naval War College, BA University of Colorado at Boulder. My career and life experiences have provide me experience in leadership, cooperation and accountability while working in the most challenging of situations. I’m skilled at problem-solving, communicating and coalition building; all requirements in my opinion to be successful at legislating.
Cost of living - this directly relates to the property tax of 2023. The tax must be modified to lessen the burden on working Montanans. I’m for Increasing PTAP and Veterans tax assistance programs, and reducing taxes paid for Middle Class families.
Crime - the drugs and crime in our cities is at a critical point. We need to improve efficiency in penal system to ensure criminals are swiftly removed from the public. I’m for building larger incarceration facilities and increasing law enforcement presence. I’m for improving after school programs that instill accountability and community in young teens.
Education - our schools need major improvements. Facilities need improvements that bring them into the 21st Century. Teachers need raises.
This is a critically important issue. Please see my response above in Question 2: lower tax for Middle Class families, increase assistance in PTAP and with veterans.
Medicare expansion that improves health access for more Montanans for many more years. Improve technology and high speed broadband that can improve access for our rural areas and connect our health centers.
The school funding formula is not sufficient. I’m for increasing funding at all K-12 schools and improving/leveraging federal education spending for our colleges and vocational programs.
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