Thank you to everyone who supported me.
I ran represent the people of Missoula in Ward 2 at City Council.
Affordable Housing, Economic Growth, Homelessness
It's time to listen to ALL the people of Missoula.
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Values You Believe In
I’m running to promote common sense ideas, educational choices, and workable solutions that will enhance our lives and those of our families without creating additional hardships for taxpayers. It is time for fiscal responsibility within our government and a return to personal responsibility within our community.
Get Involved
Missoula is at a crossroad. We are a very generous and diverse community. We need to elect people who represent our values, who will protect our property and our families, and who will be accountable to us as voters.
United By A Common Goal
We all have hopes and dreams, we all have ideas that can help Montana always be "The Last Best Place." I would like to hear your concerns and ideas. I would like to be your voice in City Council.
Serving The Community
One of my favorite things is seeing the smiles and joy on a child's face when we roll up on our motorcycles with Bikers Against Bullies.
Issues
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing
- Local government needs to curb spending and stop increasing taxes.
- No more “feel good” pet projects.
- Realistic and sensible construction regulations that do not drive home pricing out of the reach of new/entry level home owners.
Economic Growth
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing
- Bring businesses in that will help our residents build successful futures.
- Attract industry that will provide more than entry level jobs.
- Redefine and regulate TIF projects.
- If we are going to spend money it needs to be done with measurable results in mind.
Homelessness
Affordable Housing
Homelessness
- Identify the cause and create a plan. We need to design programs that are a helping hand up not just a hand out. If we are going to spend money, lets spend it wisely and make sure the programs are effective
- Economic
- Job training, budgeting classes, interview skills, childcare options.
- Drug abuse or mental health
- We need to work with the legal and healthcare systems to create results driven programs to help these people.
- Treatment options, medical resources, counseling resources.
- Chosen transient lifestyle
- This is the most difficult to handle. In most cases these people do not want to change their situation. This is where we are forced to enforce our laws and ordinance
- Economic
Questionnaires
Missoulian May 15, 2020
Missoula Organization of Realtors
Missoula Organization of Realtors
1. When it comes to providing state-funded financial aid for college students, Montana ranks 49th in the nation. Do you think the state should contribute more toward higher education funding or should it be the responsibility of the student to fund their own college education?
I believe that higher education is valuable and everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I do not think that funding higher education should fall to the taxpayers. I think that universities and colleges need to examine the costs that they are passing on to the students and look for ways to cut unnecessary costs.
2. Do you think the state of Montana should increase state funding for affordable housing? Why or why not?
The best way we can address affordable housing is to stop raising property taxes. Property taxes cause rent to go up and moves home ownership out of reach for many Montanans.
3. What, in your view, is the largest issue with management of Montana’s public lands? What should be done about it?
I believe that public lands should always be accessible to the public. If a gate is necessary for public or seasonal safety that is understandable. All gated access or lack thereof should be publicly posted with expected time frames and explanation for the necessity of the gate.
Missoula Organization of Realtors
Missoula Organization of Realtors
Missoula Organization of Realtors
Housing Development
State law broadly outlines the process by which local governments must review subdivisions of land. Subdivision is the primary vehicle for creating lots to be developed into homes for sale.
Subdivision review policies attempt to balance communities’ housing needs with protecting the environment, agriculture, wildlife habitat, public safety, and other interests. What changes to Subdivision law do you support to encourage needed development of housing while balancing other community values?
I believe that simplifying the review process is the first step. Missoula has created the current housing market by complicating the process and therefore limiting supply. In the legislature I would like to see us pass laws restricting local government’s ability to abuse and complicate the subdivision review process. Supply and demand appropriately drives the market without government interference.
Regulatory reform may be one strategy for promoting housing affordability through state law. Are there non-regulatory strategies that the legislature should pursue, so please enumerate? If strategies require funding, where should it come from?
I think that regulating the government is the first step. We need to limit the ability of local governments to abuse the regulatory process. The regulatory process is meant to make sure that everything is above board not for picking “winners and losers”.
Tax Law
State Law provides for tax increment financing (TIF) and urban renewal districts. TIF is used within urban renewal districts to combat blight and promote economic development.
However, critics of TIF say that these urban renewal districts can be in place for many years, and TIF diverts property tax revenue away from schools and county governments. Supporters respond that TIF grows the property tax base and creates jobs, and that once the urban renewal districts sunset, the taxing jurisdictions have significantly more revenue than they would have otherwise had. What changes to TIF statues would you recommend responding citizen complaints and improve the program?
The TIF program is beneficial when used as intended. The first change that needs to be made to the TIF program is to redefine and tighten the requirements. There are currently 15 criteria and only 3 need to be satisfied to be eligible to use TIF. I would like to see us reduce it to 5 well defined criteria that still needs to meet 3 for eligibility.
“Blight” is a word that is open to many interpretations and therefore has opened the program to rampant abuse. This abuse has led to unelected officials using the funds for pet projects and treating them as a personal slush fund. I would like to re-write the statute to require that funds only be authorized by a majority vote of elected officials. This would allow for the public to have a greater voice and also to hold decision makers accountable for their actions.
During the review process I would like to see the legislature examine the length of time each district is in place and also the renewal process. It is a disservice to our students to prevent them from benefiting from the tax revenue in these districts for exorbitant lengths of time.
Property taxes are the primary revenue generator used to fund local government services. Recently increased mil levies multiplied by increasing property value assessments have left many homeowners asking for relief. What are your thoughts on the current taxation structure for local government? What changes, if any, would you propose/support?
I would like to return to property value assessments being done every 4-6 years rather than every year. This will allow the market to stabilize and also offer relief to homeowners.
Economic Development
While the unemployment rate in Montana has been quite low for several years prior to the COVID pandemic, growth in wages has remained relatively stagnant compared to increases in housing costs. As a state legislator, how would you propose to help grow and attract good paying jobs in Montana and specifically Missoula County?
Rather than giving TIF money to investors that are bringing low paying and entry level jobs, I would like to see us allow people and businesses to build out instead of up. I would like to streamline and limit the regulatory process to make Missoula more attractive to potential new businesses moving in. With a smoother building and approval process we can attract a more diverse industry, they will bring higher paying jobs with them.
Fair Housing
The National Association of REALTORS include sexual orientation and gender identity
anti-discrimination language in their code of ethics. Montana does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and /or gender identity. As a state legislator would you support legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and /or gender identity?
Employees should be judged on their work performance and applicants should be judged on their background. I oppose discrimination and bullying of any kind. We need to be careful that any policy written makes sure that individual and property rights are protected while prohibiting all forms of discrimination.
Missoulian September 4, 2020
Missoula Organization of Realtors
Missoulian September 4, 2020
1. Do you support restructuring Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to provide more attention/revenue to non-hunting wildlife and recreation?
FWP has done a good job of partnering with conservationists, hunters, ranchers, tribes, land managers and others to manage both access and industry. I think that continuing with those partnerships and ensuring that all outdoor enthusiasts have open access to our land and rivers needs to remain their priority.
2. How do you plan to serve in the Legislature during a pandemic? Will you wear a mask while in the Capitol? Do you think the session should be held in-person, remotely or some mix of the two?
I will serve in person if that option is available. If the mask mandate is still in place I will follow it.
3. Climate change caused by human emission of fossil fuels has affected Montana, including an increase in average annual temperature and shifts in growing seasons for farmers. Should Montana offer subsidies for clean energy creation? Do you support or oppose ending tax breaks and subsidies for coal, oil and gas production?
The climate and energy issues need to be addressed in a variety of ways. I do think that Montana should explore and invest in clean energy options. Fossil fuels are still necessary and are very important to the Montana economy. It is important that while we work toward lowering emissions that we do not cause unnecessary harm to the people and communities that rely on mining and gas production to support their families. Our agriculture industry also relies heavily on fossil fuels. Both the equipment and fertilizer used are petroleum based.
4. The University of Montana has seen a 40% enrollment drop since 2010, and now is struck with the effects of the pandemic. What, if anything, should be done to help the university?
The university needs to look at what programs it is offering and where the future job market is going. It may be time to change both the programs and delivery methods that have traditionally been available. As the pandemic has shown us, remote learning and work is a viable option. Reducing operating expenses by offering online options is a great step in the right direction.
5. What do you see as the No. 1 issue facing your constituents and how will you address it?
I believe that the people of Missoula are suffering under crushing taxes. I want to see our state government lead by example to reduce wasteful spending and not increase taxes on our residents. My hope is that both city and county governments would follow suit.
Videos
Nanny State
As law abiding citizens you should be able to choose what legal products you purchase or use.
Young Montanans
Cultivating tomorrows child care and education professionals.
Free College
Where does the money come from?
Tax & Spend
The Sleepy Inn Proposal
The Sleepy Inn Purchase
Was your voice heard?
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Thank you!
Paid for by Dawson for Missoula, Republican
3802 Lexington Avenue Missoula, Mt. 59808
Treasurer - Rebecca Dawson, (406)880-9866
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