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ELECTIONS 2016
HOUSE DISTRICT 8 HOUSE DISTRICT 8
NAME: Steve Lavin RESIDENCE: Kalispell POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
FAMILY: Wife (of 25 years!), son, 22, daughter, 16 OCCUPATION: Major, Montana Highway Patrol
EDUCATION: B.S. degree, MSU
EXPERIENCE: Kalispell representative currently serving third term
WEBSITE: stevelavin4hd8.weebly.com or Steve Lavin for HD 8 on Facebook
1. Infrastructure improvements are a major concern for Montana. I worked hard and supported a major infrastructure bill in the 2013 legislature. The cur- rent governor, Steve Bullock, vetoed it. It was a very good bill for Montana, so it was very disappointing when he did. In the last session (2015), I again worked hard on a bipartisan solution to this problem. I supported a solution that com- bined using bonding and cash to pay for the projects. Again, the governor refused to collaborate and insisted on borrowing all of the money to pay for it. I’d much rather not put our taxpayers in further debt to accomplish an infrastruc- ture compromise, and will continue, if re-elected, to work hard with both par- ties to get this done!
2. Jobs in these elds are very important to the state of Montana and the livelihood of our Montana families. I have always been a huge proponent of removing government red tape and oppressive regulations to help create more natural resource jobs. When we become more self-reliant, we don’t need to be as restricted by being reliant on outside sources. Traditional natural resource industries are a major driver for positive economics in Montana, and I will con- tinue to be of support during my work in the Legislature.
3. The anticipated ending fund balance has always been a source of argu- ment in the Legislature. The Democrats always seem to want to exaggerate these gures so they can continuously grow state government. Our (Republi- cans’) approach is to be a good steward of Montana citizens’ tax dollars and fol- low a more conservative path, using caution instead of bloated projections. I’ve enjoyed serving on the House Tax Committee for three sessions, and I hope to continue to do so if re-elected.
4. I believe Montana should pursue more local control of federal land man- agement. Who knows better how to manage the land that we live on — bureau- crats in Washington D.C. or Montanans? I think we (Montanans) do, and I look forward to seeing what can be accomplished.
5. Jobs and the economy. We need to work hard to help Montana improve with respect to good-paying jobs and a vibrant economy. As stated earlier, removing oppressive government regulations and red tape is a great start. We can get this accomplished by creating a favorable tax climate for Montana citi- zens and business. We should also look for e ciencies in state government. I’d like to see a climate where my kids (one who is attending graduate school out of state) come back to Montana to a good-paying job and a great place to raise their families!
HOUSE DISTRICT 9
NAME: C. Paige Rappleye RESIDENCE: Kalispell POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
FAMILY: Married with three children OCCUPATION: Nonpro t administrator and organizer EDUCATION: Some college; many certi cations in speci c educational elds POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Active in community political groups; rst time running for o ce
WEBSITE: facebook.com/cprapp4HD8
1. I think that Montana is in great need of infrastructure improvements. Our roads are feeling the burden of our growth and our vehicles are paying the price. All of this takes a toll on our pocketbooks and makes it unsafe to commute and explore. Personally, after listening to the testimonies of last session and the griev- ances that followed, the best way to pass an infrastructure package may be to remove the universities and museums from last session’s bill, recalculate the bal- ance and try again. I believe that the university system needs funds as well, but I don’t think that it belongs in this bill and I think that it may help it pass.
2. My hope is that the state will be able to work with these clean, renewable energy industries to train our existing workers and use them in new elds. As mines close down, we will need people on the ground in the cleanup e orts as well; those jobs will take a long time if done properly. Just as the legislators look at important bills such as paid family leave, I hope that our leaders who are con- cerned with the fate of these workers, as I am, consider their pensions and ben- e ts, and consider how best to transfer those to their next employer so that they are not lost. These men and women have risked their lives doing this work and we need to take our time with this transition.
3. My approach is relatively simple: Putting People First. We look at the “weak- est links” in our chain: the low income, our indigenous people, folks currently not covered under our state’s nondiscrimination policies, children without health care coverage, people in need of mental health care, our special needs communi- ties, our unemployed, the elderly, our public schools, etc. We make sure that these are safe. Often, we add jobs by the programs we add, to protect our people and our infrastructure. Then we look at our beautiful environment and do what we can there.
4. Public lands should stay public. Period.
5. The divisiveness in our politics and our communities. My hope is that we can nd common ground and work together to get things done for the state. I am run- ning to represent my neighborhood, not to point ngers or play games. I’m hoping everyone else is going to Helena for the same reason.
NAME: Brittany MacLean RESIDENCE: White sh
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat FAMILY: Widowed mother of four: Zachary, 17, Chloe, 15, Garrett, 13, and So a, 10
OCCUPATION: Public Policy and Nonpro t Management
EDUCATION: B.A., Liberal Arts, University of Montana; MS, Public Policy & Nonpro t Management, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Candidate Montana Senate in 2008, candidate for Montana House of Representatives in 2012
WEBSITE: None
1. Infrastructure improvements are a major con- cern for our state. I would work across party lines (as with all major issues) to pass a meaningful infrastruc- ture package. Additionally, I would work to include creative measures that involve local communities in their own infrastructure development (hiring locally, local input in design, buying locally, etc.).
2. Business development and training for Montana citizens is one of my top priorities. I believe it’s critical to not hurt employees, or their families, in the move to clean, renewable energy. I would work to create new programs that inform and train Montana workers, new graduates, and current employees in cutting-edge
careers in the renewable energy sector.
3. I would approach the Montana budget from an
investment perspective. I believe we should not only invest in our citizens — especially families and new graduates — but we should also invest our state’s nancial resources. The state of Alaska is an excellent example of how investing, as a state, bene ts everyone. I am a proponent of establishing a Permanent Fund, much like the one in Alaska. Based on how well the state’s portfolio performs each year, every citizen liv- ing in the state would receive a dividend check. These funds could be spent in any way the individual and/or family decided.
4. Yes, I believe Montana should control Montana land. I also believe Montana should preserve and pro- tect its beautiful natural environment. I am a strong proponent of public access for shing, hunting, and recreation.
5. To remain a strong state, and to “keep Montana, Montana,” we must maintain a budgetary surplus, focus on environmental preservation, support local entrepreneurs, protect small business, adequately fund education, honor our veterans, and invest in Montana families.
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OCTOBER 5, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM