Jason W. Ellsworth, Republican, Hamilton
Job Creation
I believe very strongly in the American dream. I opened my first business in Lolo Montana at the age of 20. I worked very hard and gained a real passion and understanding for what it takes to start and grow a successful business from nothing. Montana needs an opportunity economy which benefits workers as well as employers. With almost 25 years of entrepreneurship experience, my businesses have supported Montana families. As an employer, I feel the heavy hand of government regulations burdening my businesses every day and we need to work together in minimizing these regulations so that future generations can obtain their entrepreneurial dreams. I believe I am the only candidate running qualified and willing to do what it takes to benefit the local economy. I will work to form policies designed to create job growth, lower taxes, remove government regulation, and promote economic growth in the Bitterroot Valley. Montana’s tax, workers compensation, and employment laws that discourage business formation and growth must be reformed.
Take-home Pay
Montana ranks as one of the lowest in take-home pay. I believe we can do better. Our citizens deserve a government that allows the free market to flourish. We must modernize our environmental, healthcare, and employment laws to make Montana more attractive for business creation, development, and relocation. We must eliminate barriers to natural resource development and manufacturing; the two highest wage paying sectors. Income equality and lack of higher paying jobs is hurting us. We need increased focus on Trade jobs also the courage to embrace technology. It’s becoming impossible for our youth and elderly to afford living in Montana. Government isn’t serving the people as it should, making life difficult for our families, workers, and small businesses. Montana has one of the fastest growth rates of income inequality and we continue to see lower and middle-class earners piece of the pie shrink, while seeing a push for tax hikes and growth in state government. That is not the kind of growth we want or need.
Healthcare Costs
Lack of competition, Medicaid/Medicare cost-shifting to private insurance and individuals, mandates, and the absence of incentives for wellness are driving up the cost of health insurance.
Taxes
I believe we are already over-taxed and I want to see Montanans keep more of their hard-earned money. One of the best ways to increase workers’ incomes is to lower what they pay to the government. Economic growth will provide adequate revenue to fund limited, effective, and efficient government and the rest should be returned to taxpayers. Taxes should be low, simple, flat, and free of loopholes. Tax policies should be changed to favor savings, investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Education
Training and education is important to Montana’s long-term success. If we are to compete with neighboring states or even other nations for high level jobs, we need to increase our access to technology, enhance our training programs, and become more competitive in the marketplace. Better training and higher education means more qualified, higher paying jobs for people entering the private sector. With more qualified personnel being matched with employers, we’ll see a substantial reduction in the dependency of social programs as well as economic growth. Greater tax revenues will be generated without a need for a tax increase. Many of our problems are connected and solving these problems will have a tremendous positive impact on Montana.
Transparency
I believe government should be transparent to its citizens in both the process which creates laws and the use of our hard-earned tax payer dollars.
Gun Rights
Today the gun laws already on the books are more than adequate. Guns aren’t the problem, criminals are. Threats need to be followed up on diligently using our existing laws. I feel that I have experienced both sides of this issue first hand.
I am a victim of gun violence. My mother was murdered in 2010. My mother and I were very close. I cannot describe to you what it feels like to lose your mother and lose her in the way I did that day. I can relate with the many families of victims in our country and understand the helplessness, anger, and sadness that surrounds a tragedy of any violence. Even after that I can still stand here and tell you that what happened to my mom is not a gun issue but a crime issue.
I own a gun store. I’m also a member of the NRA, endorsed by the NRA, a gun collector, and an avid sportsman. I believe VERY strongly in the 2nd Amendment and even after what I’ve experienced my belief hasn’t changed. For me it’s simple, whether for sport or protection, guns are tools. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Energy
We need to utilize the resources available as well as pursue the renewable resources available to us.
Environment
We need to use our natural resources efficiently and effectively in order to minimize the impact on the environment. Don’t over use – but don’t impede economic growth. We need managed logging back. I’m tired of sucking in smoke from fires each year. There’s a responsible balance. I believe in keeping all public lands public and would never support selling those lands. There are a variety of issues that need to be looked at. We should have a “study” from Montanans that includes all stake holders. I believe the more local input we have on these issues is essential. Too often, out-of-state interests are trying to influence what happens here locally. Too often us “Bitterrooters” are not being included in the decision-making process. I’m tired of policy and politics getting in the way of common sense. Once a study is complete we can make an informed decision.
Veterans
This is an issue I’m passionate about. Our Veterans have enabled us to live as a free nation. We need to fulfill our commitments to them as they have done for us. No more excuses!
Laura Garber, Independent, Hamilton
I am running as an Independent for Montana State Senate 43 because I believe in the Power of Community. I promote small, family-owned and cooperative new businesses. I believe we should focus on what actually matters to the well-being of every citizen: healthy food, clean air and water, access to the natural world, a great education and meaningful employment, and opportunity to truly engage and contribute to one’s community. I want to see local foods in local schools, cooperative community investing, and hemp growing across our valley and being processed right here, in the Bitterroot. I want it to be the norm to work cooperatively, because we must work together if we hope to thrive into the future as humans. I believe in the power of my community to meet our challenges through honesty, participation, and generative listening.
As your State Senator, Montana will find me focused on finding proactive ideas, instead of engaging in reactive or partisan ways, to address the issues facing us today. Issues such as healthcare expansion, gun safety, the protection of our natural world, and upholding the Montana Constitution can all be solved using a collaborative approach that I am ready to lead. My work will be to guide us toward a cooperative world that values all humans- above profit.
My leadership in the development of cooperative businesses sets me apart as a candidate. My experiences working with groups is extensive- from giving farm tours to kindergarteners to running an annual meeting, or catering a party for 300. I have opened the space for dialogue through the Community Roundtables offered this year as well as through my campaign activities. I have helped to create small business opportunity by leading the project to build the Poultry Processing Facility and commercial kitchen, constructed south of Hamilton and made possible with funding from local donations and state grants. This facility hosts the Montana Poultry Growers Cooperative, as well as three other small food businesses. This project provides an example of the positive impacts working together has for us all, and I want to help us replicate this cooperative spirit across our state!
Thank you for considering me, Laura Garber, for State Senate 43. I believe together we can create a World that works for Everyone.
More info at:
www.garber4 mtcommunity.net