ON THE ISSUES

Being politically active is nothing new to our family, and we know how it affects every day Montanans. While my son was attending hunters’ education, we became aware that he was not going to be able to hunt because he couldn't read and pass the written test. We went to work on a bi-partisan bill to change the law to allow youth with cognitive disabilities the opportunity to get a provisional hunting license so they could hunt. This photo shows our family and another family we worked with on this bill with then Representative Arntzen, and then Governor Schweitzer who signed the bill into law.

How many of you think we should pay more taxes? I certainly don't. 

In the words of Ronald Reagan:

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. “

Thank goodness our state has a balanced budget amendment. Our state has been doing financially well the last several years, but we should be returning extra money collected by the state to the people who put it there. We need to cut government spending and give relief to Montana tax payers. I always have been fiscally conservative, and plan on bringing that guiding principle with me to Helena.

With all issues, I will be voting with Montana's heritage in mind. What I mean by that is we all should have the opportunity to be successful in whatever endeavor we choose. The role of government is not to limit or take away individual freedoms and opportunities.  The government is not there to control our lives, it is to allow us the freedom and opportunity for us to succeed as individuals.

Growing up in a small logging and agricultural community in Montana, I understood at an early age that natural resources are a god given commodity that we need not only to survive, but we also need to manage responsibly. Agriculture is the driving force providing food for the world and is our number one economy in Montana. My votes will be to provide the agriculture and the natural resource communities the opportunity to compete nationally and internationally on a level playing field.

Reading, writing, and math are the fundamentals that need to be taught in our schools. We should fight any effort to push a social agenda on our children. Parents should be involved in their children’s education and have full access to the curriculum being taught in school. I do believe introductory economics should be a requirement in schools, both on the micro and macro levels. While we have made progress, we need to continue to direct additional resources and prioritize the opportunities available through Career and Technical Education courses.

Housing affordability and availability has become a critical issue for most people of our country, and Montana is not exempt.  I have been working on the local and state level to address issues to keep the great American dream of home ownership alive.   This is a multi-faceted issue where there is no silver bullet for a cure.  Several issues regarding housing need to be addressed including:  workforce availability, regulation, zoning, perception and attitudes.  

For many years I have been a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the NRA, and the Montana Trappers Association.  I am also a supporter of the Mule Deer foundation and Ducks Unlimited.  There is no question that I will always vote to support the 2nd Amendment and our Montana Heritage.