Recently I have been reviewing Ron Ehli’s (HD86) voting record, and I’d like to bring a few items to the attention of my neighbors who apparently voted him into office. Ron’s efforts appear to be geared toward something other than supporting my friends and neighbors in their various financial issues.
For example, Ron voted to reduce unemployment insurance benefits. How does that help our valley? That forces folks to rely on the Food Bank, run up bills while their looking for new work, and sometimes take on medical bills they simply cannot afford.
We have a fair number of State workers here in the South Valley, e.g., Youth Probation, Public Defenders’ Office, Forest Service, etc. But Ron actually voted to eliminate mammography exams in the State Employee Health Care Plan. I wonder if he would also stand against prostate examinations for our State workers? Incidentally, along with that, he voted to prohibit state employees from lobbying the legislature! Lobbying is still a right of every citizen, and it seems preposterous that that group should be prohibited.
We, thankfully have some large corporations and manufacturers in the valley. They contribute business equipment taxes to our State income, as do small businesses. You guessed it. Ron voted against them having to pay those taxes; but the little guy, the small retail owners and service providers, would still have to. I’m pretty sure GSK and other corporations in the valley are willing and able to pay these taxes, used to it in fact, as other States where they have plants charge for their equipment. This seems to indicate a leaning toward courting corporations that, frankly, worries me on Ron’s part. I begin to wonder how he stands on GMO’s, Monsanto products and of course, corporate (over) funding for political campaigns. Right again: he voted against the overturn of Citizens United.
As a member of a relatively small community, I talked with Nancy Schneider, our candidate for HD86 recently. She assured me she would have voted against reducing the unemployment benefits, for the right of State workers to mammograms (and to lobby), and against the preposterous idea that big corporations don’t have to carry their weight in our State.
Nancy represents my community values, and her commitment lies in defending families who actually live here 24/7, and struggle to make ends meet. She’s the one I want at my kitchen table, and in Helena. She’s approachable, knowledgeable and a very willing worker for you and me.
Star Jameson
Hamilton