Dear Neighbors:
Our of the most interesting things about this campaign has been the number of "candidate questionnaires" that I've been sent by various public interest groups. So far, more than 75 in total.
Most of the questionnaires ask for a "yes" or "no" answer on various fact patterns. And they also ask for a pledge or commitment such as "will you commit to never increasing taxes?" So do I make that pledge? What if Montana has record drought and all the crops die and ranchers lose livestock in levels not seen since the Great Depression and farmers and ranchers need assistance to avoid ruin?
I can't make a lot of promises in the absolute, except to do my best. That promise I can make and will keep.
Making pizza dough is easy, like we did as a family in the picture. Just flour, yeast, water a touch of salt and some elbow grease. Leadership is hard. Governing is hard. They are nuanced. The answer is often is "it depends". And it requires compromise and working to find solutions that are best (not just what you want).
But of course to vote for anyone you need to know where they stand on key issues. But I also believe you need to know how that person will approach issues.
I was a CEO at 28. I've signed the front of paychecks for most of my life. I've had to fire people because the business was changing course and their job wasn't needed any longer even though they were doing a good job (and cried in my office before going to sit down with them). I believe that I know how to be a leader and work to find solutions. My job and my paycheck have never been guaranteed.
And so I want to lay out my beliefs and values on some points:
First, I believe current levels government spending is too high. I believe we need to look for more efficiency and reduce staffing. According to the US Department of Labor, Montana employs more than 90,000 people in government at all levels - Federal, state and local - ranking the state in the top 10 among all states as a percentage of total employment. On this ranking you actually, in my opinion, want to be in the bottom half because it means you're efficient and effective. I will work in Helena to make sure the state is doing its part.
Second, I believe we need tax reform. However, I am not willing to support any reform that increases the total tax bill of Montanans. Also, I would only support such reform if we reduce spending. My opponent has a different approach.
Anyone that tells you they support a tax reduction without enumerating the spending cuts is only telling you that they want someone else to pay the tax. My business pays more tax in this state than Amazon. Millions of dollars are spent everyday on internet purchases. You buy from my store or any local business and that owner has to pay property tax. You buy something on the internet and the state of Montana makes no revenue.
But sales taxes in general are the most regressive form of tax policy, meaning lower income people pay a disproportionate share. So, if a sales tax is implemented I would require two things: (1) an earnest discussion and agreement about what items are exempt from sales tax, such as core food items, and (2) that a dollar for dollar reduction in property tax be enacted but only on the first $250,000 in assessed housing value (and maybe that's not the right figure, but the point is that we need to allocate the relief fairly to help people most in need).
Please call me or write me with questions. I'll do my best to answer your questions, and with your permission I'll make my answers public on my website and social media page. My personal e-mail is markalewis56@gmail.com. My cell phone is (406) 599-3243.
Regards,
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