The Platform

No more surprises...I support a tax cap limit on property taxes from time of purchase. Excess funds (and earned interest) shall be returned to the Montana resident taxpayer. Keep more money in your pocket, limit government spending, and prohibit tax funded wealth redistribution.  I support  abolishing  income tax, and believe a consumer (not sales tax) or a flat %1 financial transaction tax (FTT) on goods, and products is a more fair tax structure for Montana residents.  A consumer or FTT tax captures revenue for those that visit and leave our state, that ultimately  increases the load demand on our infrastructure.  With a consumer or FTT tax in place I would  push  to decrease the mill to a 1:10,000 valve v.s our current 1:1,000 value, offering a substantial property tax reduction.  

Protect Montana's agriculture, industry, and small businesses.  Keep free markets open and competitive.   Encourage  a strong  and educated work force.  As a owner and operator of three business entities, I support abolishing payroll taxes,  equipment tax,  tax on tips, and taxes on Social Security.   Government needs to be held accountable for spending,  just as Montanans are held accountable with their businesses and personal finances.

Get  back to teaching kids the fundamental tools for success and keep politics out of the class room.   I am a very strong advocate for vocational studies,  I believe a Journeyman/Masters trade license is just as valuable as a four year college degree.   As a Master tradesman and inspector myself, I see the struggles everyday for employers to fill good paying positions with a qualified work force. Over the years as an inspector, I have helped hundreds of entry level tradesmen and women acquire their welding quantification's so they can hit the ground running earning a good paying wage as an employee, or opening their own small business.  Every year the trades suffer more and more from the older work force retiring and no one to fill the void. From culinary to plumbing to driving truck, I say lets get the next generation of  tradespeople trained up,  make a good living wage,  be confident , and take some pride in what they do.

Public lands are just that...Public.  Lets keep access open to public lands, I support the transfer of authority (not the physical land) of federally managed lands to a state  elected jurisdiction authority,  maintained and administered for their original purpose (as would still be required by federal law).  I absolutely oppose the sale of public lands, and all public land transfers should be ballet voted by the jurisdictions effected.  Montanans often get the short end of the stick in these exchanges.  We the people of Montana should have the final say with our Montana public lands.    

Lets get Montana back to an exporter of energy. We have the resources, lets use them wisely and responsibly. Water conservation systems are key to  future water supplies.  I would like to see grey water systems incentivized, renewable energy utilized , hydro-power preserved and maintained, and  natural gas/coal power plants online,  I am a user and proponent of re-renewable diesel (ie-R99) as an alternative  petroleum fuel source.  I believe  Nuclear power  is  a viable option as a  clean and massive  energy source,  Lets start the nuclear discussion, and work to get Montana on track  as an exporter and a  massive supplier of energy.  I am an all of the above supporter of energy sources.