Marty Malone On The Issues

As an Agricultural producer, I fully support production agriculture as the leading industry sustaining a tax base that strengthens and maintains the Montana economy.

I support free market principles that expand markets for trade and sustainable regeneration of agricultural products.

I support value added processing of agricultural products in the State of Montana.

I support a sustainable timber resource.

I recognize agricultural producers as the premier stewards of the environment.

I encourage increased education both in schools and outreach to the general public promoting the traditions and values of the agriculture industry.

I believe that private property ownership is a fundamental principle of our Constitutional Republic and uphold the continuation of this right. Maintaining the historical traditions and cultural heritage of agriculture in Montana are important for continuing our role in feeding Montana and the world.

i am committed to fostering a business-friendly environment through less government- more freedom and eliminating barriers to economic development.

Eliminating excessive regulations that inhibit economic development and business activity.

Reasonable, consistent, and timely permits.

A government culture that emphasizes customer service over regulation and enforcement.

Free market development of Montana’s diverse industries, resources, manufacturing sector, and technologies.

A robust system of public and private education that creates a qualified, competent, and competitive workforce.

Eliminating government activities that pick economic winners and losers.

Encouraging savings and investment to fuel economic growth.

The increase in property taxes suffered by many homeowners was unacceptable. I supported and voted for the $675 that was sent to all property owners last fall and another payment of $675 will be sent to homeowners this fall. Business and landlords were not eligible for these funds which forced many to raise their rents or increase prices. If local governments would have decreased their mill levy's accordingly their would have little difference in the tax bills. Local governments were forced to increase taxes on voted levy's because the language required X number of mills, not dollar amounts.

The State of Montana is required constitutionally to appraise parcels at market value.

The legislature must do something to address the issue. Some ideas I have are as follows:

Change the constitution to limit the increase in property values.

Require all voted bonds to use a dollar value not a mill value.

Change the school equalization calculation to allow for inflation or deflation.

Understand that the State of Montana has jurisdiction over all nonfederal water rights, that the development of natural resource utilization is the best source of property tax burden reduction and high wage earning potential; that economic impacts are just as important as environmental impacts and the permitting process for this use needs to be timely. 

As a member of the Water Policy Interim Committee, I have the ability to assist in crafting legislation that improves the natural resources of Montana. This interim committee has bi-partisan membership that insures legislation proposed from the committee has been vetted by legislators on both sides of the aisle.

I believe that all public lands should be managed for multiple use principles.

I believe that the legislature needs to adopt school choice policies driven by parental control, reduce centralized control mechanisms embracing local control first, support transparent and locally accountable district budgets, and preserve the autonomy of private and home school institutions.

Understand that a property’s owner has exclusive rights to determine the use of their deeded property including subdivision, and that government is prohibited from infringing on those rights without due process;