Steve Galloway did not reply to our request to answer questions.

Candidate Profiles

Ed Buttrey

Questions

What are the top two challenges you think our community, state, and your district are facing and how you would address those issues?

The first issue is Affordability. We need to find ways for Montanans to keep more of their hard-earned money.  I will support efforts for further income tax reduction, permanent property tax reduction, and increased responsible natural resource collection to reduce fuel and utility costs.  Safety is the other issue, we must provide help to those that are addicted, incarcerated or mentally ill and we must ensure that law enforcement has the tools to keep our communities safe. 

What is you political party and why are you running?

I am a proud Republican.  I am running again to ensure that government is responsible, transparent and efficient, and isn’t overburdensome on our citizens and businesses.  We are elected to represent our districts and the communities where we live.  Unfortunately, we are currently seeing efforts by political parties and their out-of-state funding proxies to manipulate legislators by demanding control over legislation and legislators’ votes.  This is incredibly dangerous as it requires elected officials’ allegiance to parties and not to the people who elected them.  I refuse to sign pledges and instead commit to vote based on the needs of the people of SD11, Great Falls, and Cascade County.  Because these outside parties cannot control me, the voters of SD11 are being subjected to mailers, ads, and television commercials claiming that I support things that are absolutely false, slanderous and unethical.  This sickens me, and those who know me.  More than ever, I feel the need to run to ensure that the voters have a candidate on the ballot that cares about them, votes with them in mind, and isn’t afraid to stand up to big parties and money that seek to control their vote.  I will also work to enact truth-in-political advertising legislation that will penalize those that create or distribute slanderous, misleading election materials. 

Do you support tax credits for charter schools or private schools?

I support the ability for a family to decide how their child is to be educated.  While my children and I are products of a great public school system, I understand that some kids do better in a charter or private setting.  I will continue to support tax credits for charter schools and private schools, just as I have in the past, but only if the credits do not affect the funding for public education.  We can and need to continue to support public education with responsible funding, while offering parents financial assistance if they choose another path for their children’s education.

How would you change Montana tax policy to ease the property tax burden on homeowners? Be specific.

I have and will continue to support the reduction of property tax burden on Montana homeowners.  Unfortunately, when we lessen the burden on some, we increase the burden on others.  Our cities still need plows, maintenance workers, police, fire and other resources which come with a cost.  Responsible local government budgeting and increased transparency on voter funded initiatives is the best way to help control the cost of government, which then ultimately falls upon property owners.  I will continue to work on solutions that will provide long term property tax relief to Montana homeowners, including those with second homes, cabins, and rentals.

What is your specific position on the abortion issue?

I have and always will be Pro-Life.  Government has a role in protecting those that cannot protect themselves.  As someone who himself was adopted and was given the opportunity of life, I will always work to protect the unborn and also to help mothers who can’t support a child find support and ways to ensure the child has the opportunity for life.  I do believe that there needs to be consideration given in cases of risk to the mother’s life or in cases of rape or incest. 

Do you think the legislature should change current state policy and law regarding recreational marijuana use?

The voters of Montana decided to allow for the use of recreational marijuana.  While it is not a product that I choose to use, it is not my job to overrule the will of the voters.  We do, however, need to ensure that recreational marijuana use is regulated, the laws are enforced and that we give our public safety officials the tools needed to ensure that marijuana does not put our public at risk.