Montanans deserve opportunities to prosper. Hard work, grit and determination only gets you so far in these economic times.

Whether we’re just starting out or able to give back, we all want to provide for our families, take care of our health needs, have a safe roof over our head, and benefit from a political and economic system that works.

Laws passed in 2023 did not help working Montanans. Instead of long-term solutions to fund the services we need, the legislature passed short-term fixes that benefited wealthy corporate interests. The legislature did not spread the expense of government equitably.

In our household budgets we invest in rent or mortgage, car payments, health insurance, groceries, education expenses, and other necessities. If we handled our household money the way the 2023 Legislature spent our state funds, we’d be squandering our hard-earned cash on frivolous toys with no payback, instead of investing in our future. There’s a huge surplus in state government, and we should be investing it for the next generation of Montanans.

That means:

• Bolstering public education, providing incentives for vocational education
• Supporting small businesses
• Getting people the behavioral health care they need to stay in the game.

Our lawmakers failed us. They chose not to adjust tax formulas that have been successfully used before to stabilize homeowner property taxes. Instead, homeowners will shoulder a disproportionate share of the tax burden, while tax breaks for out-of-state corporate interests will cost Montana over $170 million per year.

Northwestern Energy will be paying less while we pay more. People earning $650,000 or more will pay proportionately less in income tax while we pay more. These cuts are unfair, and fail to help regular Montanans. They do nothing to help us with child care costs, housing costs, access to healthcare or good-paying jobs. We can do better.

All my kids went to public schools in Great Falls, and they are prospering as young adults. I want that opportunity for the next generation of kids, too. Public education is the great equalizer upon which our nation was built. When everyone has a good education, everyone benefits.

The state government should be a partner with parents, educators, and local school boards in making sure that all kids have safe schools where they can find their strengths, and learn skills for a prosperous future. The state should do their part and leave us the local control to manage the curricula, programs, and safety of our kids.

Teachers deserve competitive wages and opportunities for advancement, just like the rest of us. Our state budget for education should reflect what we value: education, our kids, and the future they can envision.

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