Issues
Together, we can build a better future for Belgrade and Montana.
2022 Candidate Forum
On October 26, 2022, the Belgrade Community Library hosted a candidate forum for House District 67, House District 68, and Senate District 34. While I spoke to the issues that impact Belgrade, my opponent couldn’t seem to speak of anything other than the partisan divide.
I’m running for office because you and I deserve better representation. I’ll work for you to address the issues and challenges our community faces every day.
Housing
Housing that people can afford while making average local wages is essential. Homes are where jobs go to sleep at night. Without respectable housing for all of us in Gallatin County, we will not thrive. Families and businesses alike benefit from housing that respects all needs. Solutions exist at the state level. It's time we have a representative who will support them.
Health
Healthcare treats the whole person. It includes mental, physical, and economic health. When you’re worried about how you will keep a roof over your head, it impacts your health and your family. Healthcare includes addiction and reproductive services. I will work to ensure Montanans of all income levels are able to access the care they need to survive and thrive.
Reproductive Health
Healthcare is personal, and the government does not and should not have access to your healthcare records. Nor should government interfere in medical decisions. We have the right to privacy for our library records and phone records. We should expect the same freedom for our healthcare needs, including abortion care. I stand firmly with a person's right to make their own healthcare decisions.
Growth
I’ve served on the Belgrade City-County Planning Board for the last 12 years and on the Triangle Coordination Committee for six years. I am also a member of a local housing solutions group working with Gallatin County to expand housing options. We can implement solutions that address the rapid growth in our area by investing in infrastructure to support affordable housing. We can also identify and change state laws that prevent us from assessing higher fees to out-of-state, part-time residents.
Climate Policy
Our planet provides us with a healthy environment necessary for life. If we don’t address a changing climate, none of us will prosper. Montana has unique opportunities to support climate-friendly policies as an energy-producing state and can lead the way on solutions. We are the 7th best wind-producing state in the nation and have transmission lines that will have greater capacity as coal continues its downturn. To capitalize on these opportunities, we must reduce Northwestern Energy's undue influence over the Montana Legislature. I will promote sustainable energy generation, especially those that make greater economic sense in the short- and long-term for our planet's health.
Public Lands
Keep public lands in public hands. The Rocky Mountain west is blessed but with that comes the responsibility to defend our public lands. That includes defending Montana’s strongest stream access laws that are under assault by wealthy landowners. It also means repealing the law that stripped everyday Montana hunters from accessing many of the best wild-game tags. All Montanans deserve access to our public lands, not just the wealthy few.