Candidate for Montana House of Representatives - District 50 in 2020 Montana General Election.
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Get StartedI do not support the use of tax-payer money funding charter schools. Charter schools have a dismal record, drain funds from our already underfunded public education and are susceptible to fraud and misuse of public funds. A 2009 study from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes found that nationally: • Almost half of charter schools (46%) were no better than neighboring public schools. • Over a third (37%) were significantly worse. • Only 17% were better than the local public schools. This is true even though many charters weed out the hardest-to-teach student. Learn more
Investment in our public education is an investment in our future. We when value education and provide adequate funding to our schools it can improve the chances of better paying jobs and infrastructure and the success rate of those considered most at-risk, We must invest to provide a more safe, nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. Learn more
Higher Education has become less and less attainable and technical trades are becoming a more affordable option. Montana students are paying 60% of tuition costs out-of-pocket, more than double a generation ago. We must be able to look into improving the accessibility and options that allow high school grads and non-traditional students to continue their education. We are facing a labor shortage crisis with not enough people to fill the critical jobs we need. It is clearly an investment we need. Learn more
We treasure our Montana lands and its wildlife. As a representative I will work to preserve them for future generations which leads to moving forward in sustainable energy. This can mean removing government barriers preventing home and business owners from making the energy decisions that make sense for them. Net metering, such as rooftop solar panels, are an affordable, renewable, and safe way for families, businesses, ranchers, universities to use less coal-generated energy and even put more clean energy on the electrical grid to be used by other energy consumers. Learn more
The fossil fuel industry actively works to block progress on combating climate change by spreading mistrust of science and government and by promoting fears of job losses if we try to transition to more green alternatives. We can work to protect workers and their families during this transition. The rise in destructive storms, droughts and wildfires are not something to ignore. Learn more
According to the Montana Budget and Policy Center, Community health assessments by Montana county health departments between 2012-2017 report that substance abuse is the most frequently listed high-priority health issue. Unfortunately, more than 90 percent of these Montanans are not receiving treatment for their alcohol and drug use disorders. In state fiscal year 2017, nearly 10,000 Montana Medicaid enrollees had a diagnosed substance use disorder. Between 2012-2016, the American Indian suicide rate was 28.5 (per 100,000 people), compared to 23.1 for whites. The suicide rate is even higher among American Indian youth, young adults, and veterans. Learn more
Mental health and substance use disorders affect people of all ages and demographics and are extremely challenging on communities. In the US about 1 in 5 adults experience some form of mental disorder, 7.7 million youth (6-17) experienced a mental health disorder and about 9.2 million people experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Not addressing the issue puts demands on health care, public safety, and social services, as well as increase incarceration rates. Living with un-diagnosed, untreated, or under-treated co-occurring behavioral health disorders can lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, incarceration, medical illnesses, suicide, or putting individuals at greater risk of dying prematurely from physical health problems. Learn more
Healthcare must be recognized as a right. On a national level, I support Medicare for All which would include all medically-necessary services. Examples being primary care and prevention, inpatient care/outpatient care, emergency care; prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, palliative care, mental health services, dental services, substance abuse treatment, chiropractic services, basic vision care and vision correction, hearing services, & podiatry care. Making healthcare accessible means making it affordable and expanding services needed. Learn more
Home is the foundation of a family’s health and financial security. A child’s academic and future success is at risk when households are burdened by unaffordable rent costs leaving little left over to pay for food, transportation, and health care. People are finding themselves one financial setback from losing their homes...Expanding rental assistance to all eligible families would add $110 million in new consumer spending for local economies and housing the homeless is less expensive than having them cycle between shelters, hospitals, and other emergency facilities. Learn more
We are facing huge problems today--rising rents, stagnant wages, and landlord-tenant relationship drifting further apart each day. When some folks are spending 50-70% of their income towards rent, that's a problem. Workers making minimum wage cannot afford rent. People in Montana need to make $16.13 to pay rent on a two-bedroom place, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2018 Out of Reach report. That’s almost double Montana’s minimum wage and about $4 more than what the state’s average renters make. Learn more
In the legislature I will oppose "Right-to-Work" legislation which are direct attacks on union members and any group of workers who might be seeking to form unions. We cannot weaken these laws to allow the gutting of pensions for workers who contributed for years to their pension plans, leaving broken promises with no retirement security. This type of legislation is pushed by political extremists and greedy corporate CEOs. Evidence shows that “right-to-work” laws drive down wages for all workers, including non-union members, and women. "Right-to-work” states earn about $1,500 less per year than workers in states without these laws. This can also disproportionately affect women and workers of color. The rate of workplace deaths is 52.9 percent higher in right-to-work states as well. Passing this type of legislation won't improve the employment rate. Eight of the 12 states with the highest unemployment have “right-to-work” laws. Learn more
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