The Platform

I am 100% pro-family, respect all life, fully support the  freedom of speech, right to bear arms, constitutional carry, freedom of religion, access to public land, and property ownership.  Uphold law and order at all levels for a safe & civil society.  I back the blue and support our troops and veterans. I  feel the number one role of government at all levels  is to provide a safe society and environment  for the citizens of this community, state and nation by means of  Constitutional Law & Order at all enforcement levels.  One can not live in fear and be free.

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,  and tax 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 can be  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 as an independent  business owner. 

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 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, and keeping and creating energy sector jobs in Montana.

 I am not a  proponent of property tax or income tax.  I feel taxation should be biased on consumption,  energy usage,  an bearing on infrastructure.  With our current tax system I would support:

• Capping property tax from the time of purchase,  Re-appraisal would occur at time of re-sale of house or construction permits are filed (beyond standard maintenance) for that property. 
• Third party appraisals for property tax assessments.  I feel that the Department of Revenue performing appraisals on land they ultimately issue the tax bill for is a huge conflict of interest and at times a violation of privacy.

Taxation I do support in lieu of property and income tax include: 

• I support the implication of a progressive consumer tax at the wholesale level of goods and product (not a sale tax)  Similar to our current fuel and alcohol tax collections
• I support the implication of a 1% transaction tax for all electronic purchases and financial transactions .  This is a common tax in the financial and credit card industry. 
• I  support the implication of a progressive energy tax on electricity, gas, and petroleum.  More you use the more you pay. I feel this  promotes individual solar and other clean energy sources, and holds heavy users such as data centers more accountable.

I feel that we need some real tax reform in this state and not just tax shifts in the code.  The residences and business's of this state are on the hook for maintaining the infrastructure, public use buildings,  public facilities, public lands, and  at times Montana tax payer funded programs.  I support a tax system that residences would only  pay for what they consume and use, and not based on  what they own or how much they make..