Page 21 - Flathead Beacon // 10.5.16

ELECTIONS 2016
HOUSE DISTRICT 5
NAME: Dave Fern RESIDENCE: White sh POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
FAMILY: Married to Heather 33 years, three children
OCCUPATION: Self-employed, Chimney Solutions
EDUCATION: Community College of Rhode Island POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: White sh School Board, elected continuously since 1992 WEBSITE: Facebook page Dave Fern for House District 5
HOUSE DISTRICT 5
NAME: Chet Billi RESIDENCE: White sh POLITICAL PARTY: Republican FAMILY: Mother, father, brother, sister
OCCUPATION: Part-time at O ceMax
EDUCATION: High school diploma
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Sponsor of ballot initiative I-175 WEBSITE: ChetBilli5.wix.com/ElectChet
1. It is impossible to do comprehen- sive infrastructure within the context of a single funding bill. I believe we
can address particular issues by such a method, and this is good. Presently, the Coal Trust Fund is designed for fund- ing projects for perpetuity if the prin- cipal is left intact. With lowering yields of coal, it would be advisable to con- sider methods to grow the principal. Presently, 50 percent of the fund goes to the general budget, and this could
be adjusted upwards to devote more income to infrastructure funds within the trust. We might also consider add- ing additional severances other than coal. This might include oil, gas and wind energy. I support the expansion of the resort tax to include a local-option tax voted by residents in the munici- pality, and devoted to infrastructure and property tax relief.
2. I believe the workers in and around Colstrip are most a ected by this change. For those not ready or nancially able to retire, such workers must be placed at the head of the line for opportunities within our state tech- nical and university system for further- ing their skills. Despite my reticence
to spend Coal Trust dollars on issues not related to infrastructure, I believe in this case we should invest in our dis- placed workforce using the Trust.
3. I can only assume that the state government will have to slow its rate of growth. Essential services that involve children and our elderly and disabled population must be kept whole. The conundrum we face is a growing num- ber of foster children under the state’s supervision and an aging population, both requiring immediate attention. On the revenue side (taxes), I would support an interim committee to look
at options that might address such items as methods to collect taxes from tourism and an examination of capi- tal gains at the state level. Economic development is very important, and I hope to see tangible results or recal- ibration if necessary, from the Main Street Montana Initiative.
4. Article IV Section 3 of the federal constitution clearly states that only our national Congress may initiate the sale or transfer of public lands. I oppose such transfers without a clear plan and a reasoned mandate from the federal government along with a desire from the DNRC and the people of Montana. In other words, who will pay to main- tain the lands in question in lieu of the federal government, and what are the advantages for such a transfer? How would this a ect economic opportu- nities, and how would this impact our outdoors heritage?
5. Our demographics suggest that we have an aging population. Eleven coun- ties are projected to have more than
40 percent elderly in the year 2025. An ancillary issue will include memory diseases of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Children and Family Health and Human Services Interim Committee will present four bills to address peo- ple with such diseases and caregivers. The bills include the creation of volun- teer corps of respite workers to assist families in need of a break, expanding Medicaid services to better serve this population and providing additional resources to local aging services. I want to support such e orts if our bud- get allows. I’m not sure we have alter- native options when it comes to assur- ing or senior citizens are well cared for.
1. Yes, especially with the failure to pass an infrastructure bill last session. It’s been said before that some legisla- tors want to build 100 new government buildings and call it infrastructure. That is not my view on infrastructure, and I would work with any legisla-
tor who is interested in appropriating funds to true infrastructure needs.
I will not support pork legislation to fund private projects.
2. I don’t see any evidence of the question’s premise. We do not have the technology to mass produce and store renewable energies such as wind and solar. However, we have made techno- logical advancements that allow us to safely extract fossil fuels and utilize them in a clean manner. Until renew- able energy can be mass produced and sustained without taxpayer dollars, Montanans working in the fossil fuel industry have nothing to worry about in terms of economic competition. The only threat they face now is an assault from radical environmentalists within our state and federal governments.
3. Beyond a simple safety net, gov- ernment should not be subsidizing our lives. Money should only be spent on those services that cannot be provided for in the private sector. Public services like infrastructure, law enforcement, and public schools should be our top funding priorities.
4. Transferring federal land man- agement to the states would result in healthier forests, increased public
access, and more revenue for the state. Federal forests are gated o , where they grow untouched until they catch on re. Almost all of Montana’s annual summer res start on overgrown, unhealthy federal land. State lands, by comparison, are thriving and healthy, and very rarely are the source of res. We have wonderful access to our state lands, and they are so well managed. On average, the federal government loses 27 cents for every dollar spent on forest management. In comparison, states generate more than $14 for every dollar spent on management. This is directly representative of the better access we have to recreate on and enjoy state lands. Concerns over Republicans wanting to sell o public lands are alle- viated by the fact that public lands are a signi cant source of revenue for the state. I do not support selling any of Montana’s public lands.
5. Our increasing reliance on fed- eral dollars is one of the biggest loom- ing threats in my opinion. Accounting for nearly half of our state budget, fed- eral revenue is extremely unreliable and heavily restricted. Have we really balanced our budget when the state outspends its revenue nearly 2 to 1, needing federal assistance to make up the di erence? Legislators should be actively seeking to create business- and market-friendly environments to help alleviate our dependency on out-of- state money. Failure to do so will leave our future in jeopardy.
TIRE MAIL-IN REBATE*
*See dealer for details on rebate. Rebate Expires: Nov 30, 2016
ON SELECT SETS OF FOUR TIRES:
$70 on Michellin and $50 on BF Goodrich, Firestone, Dunlap & General
Certi ed Service
www.eisingermotors.com
Hwy 93 N & Reserve, Kalispell • 406-755-5555 • Open Mon - Fri 7am to 6pm • Sat. 8am to 5pm
OCTOBER 5, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
21
UP TO
$ 100
+ BEST PRICE GUARANTEE!