Missoulian - Senate District 50: Niles Brush, Republican

Interview

1. What role should local and state governments play in economic development?

Governments should encourage economic development by creating a fair and encouraging atmosphere for businesses to operate. Government should avoid imposing excessive taxation and regulation. However, some taxes and regulations are necessary and proper to ensure public safety and health. The Legislature needs to avoid creating more barriers or hurdles which hinder opening new businesses and operating existing businesses. Businesses of all sizes need consistent taxation and regulation in order to expand operations and hire more Montanans and at higher wages.

2. What legislative actions do you favor to improve Montana's economy and create jobs here?

To improve Montana's economy, I favor providing businesses and workers with stability. Stability in regulations and taxes are necessary to encourage economic growth. Montanans could then budget their discretionary income with confidence. Businesses could accurately evaluate risks of expansion and hiring. Montanans with more pocket money can buy more, then businesses would thrive, and then the demand for more employees at varying skill levels would increase. While some government enterprises such as the lottery help fund programs, others such as the horse racing simulcast project created a short fall of more than $500,000 dollars.

3. Montana now has a projected general fund budget surplus of $427 million as of mid-2013. What, if anything, do you think the 2013 Legislature should do with this money?

Opinions vary across Montana on how to handle the surplus. Some favor tax refunds while others favor increasing spending on programs. Looking forward, we should save the surplus in a "rainy day" account. Montanans experienced extreme cold weather, epidemics, floods, wildfires, drought, and volcanic ash fallout within the last 32 years, in addition to the recessions. The surplus should be protected to hedge against natural and economic disasters. When these events occur, we need to ensure we have funds on hand to deal with the crisis immediately in the interests of our public health, our public safety, and our economy.

4. What is your opinion of current DUI laws and legislation? Would you change anything? Be specific.

Additions of an Aggravated DUI and the 24/7 program certainly enhanced the tools available for law enforcement and corrections. It would be premature to discuss any further changes until we have more statistics on the effectiveness of these tools. Many citizens expressed frustration about the lack of transportation options late at night and on the weekends. U-Call-Us in Missoula may be part of the solution. Donations and an administrative add-on to DUI fines should support such a program. We have to involve private transportation services as well in order to ensure drivers and dispatchers can provide for their families.

5. Do you think the Legislature needs to intervene in the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department's wildlife management activity? If so, what would you propose?

All government agencies need some leeway to carry out their functions. Since the Legislature meets every other year, agencies such as the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks need the flexibility to make decisions in accordance with the guidelines already in place. For example, the number of special permits for hunts or quotas for fishing should be determined by agency's leadership as they analyze herd strength and fish population data.

6. When the University of Montana seeks funding for its College of Technology expansion, will you support such a request? Why or why not?

Clearly, the College of Technology needs either a new facility or a heavily remodeled facility. As a graduate of the College of Technology, I feel students deserve better than attending classes in trailers. As part of The University of Montana, the facilities should be comparable to the schools on the Mountain Campus. I would consider funding requests based upon several factors. The request would need to include up-to-date technology, provide for adequate parking, provide facilities for an ever increasing student population, be energy efficient, and be responsible with public funds.

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