Issue Position: Fiscal Responsibility

Issue Position

Debt is a burden that stifles our economy. Debt also serves to limit our freedom and prosperity both as individuals and as a State. When we run into budget shortfalls unfortunately the quick fix is to raise taxes to which I am opposed. Between the 2013 and 2015 sessions the size of State Government expenditures rose by 20%!! In 2016 this over spending caught up with Montana, and added to the fiscal shortfall of 2017. A principle of fiscal government, if you excessively grow government in a few areas, down the road, as revenue declines, all programs and departments end up suffering!

Many are not aware that Montana is nearly 45% dependent on the Federal Government to supply its fiscal needs. Therefore, we are currently relying on a Federal Government that is multi-trillions in debt to foreign nations. I believe it is imperative that we work to keep Montana fiscally sound and less dependent on the federal government. A fiscally stronger Montana will be able to better weather the budget shortfalls we will undoubtedly experience in the future. I have worked toward this goal, providing for an even stronger Montana.

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