Issue Position: Leading Proposed Solution

Issue Position

I propose that a five year rolling average of trust land revenues be calculated at the beginning of a fiscal year. And that revenues generated in excess of that average be set aside in a permanent facilities improvement fund for the sole purpose of helping meet ongoing infrastructure development needs. The precedent for this type of specific allocation of funds is well established. Currently, revenues derived from the development of timber resources on state land are set aside in their entirety for technology acquisition by our schools.

An extension of this concept to include a portion of "non-timber"dollars generated by effective management of our public lands will accomplish a number of important goals. It would create an ongoing revenue stream to assist in addressing ever growing infrastructure requirements of our public schools. It would create a catalyst for additional economic activity and job growth, and it would lead to expansion of the state's tax base.

As the 2013 legislative session nears we are presented with two distinct opportunities. First, is to increase Montana's understanding of the fact that increased development of trust land resources does not necessarily lead to increased school funding. It will take pro-development Land Board members to ensure that happens. And second, is to take a first step toward heading off a looming financial crisis driven by current and future needs for facility and infrastructure improvements in our public schools.

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