Maclean challenges Lavin in House District 8 seat

Two fifth-generation Montanans are vying for the House District 8 seat in Kalispell, with Democrat Brittany Maclean running against one-term Republican incumbent Steve Lavin.

Elected to represent the district back in 2010 and a sergeant with the Montana Highway Patrol, Lavin said he wants to continue to build on the successes of the Republican-led Legislature’s last session.

That includes more reform of the workers’ compensation program, permanent tax relief for property owners and reducing red tape and regulations. “I enjoy this job and I’m going to continue to fight for the people of this valley,” Lavin said.

Maclean, a contract grant writer who ran against State Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, in 2008, said she wants to use her public policy background and solution-oriented approach to problems to help Montana.

“I really don’t care what party people are with. I’m tired of seeing the parties battle with each other,” Maclean said, adding that’s something she hears from people as she goes out and knocks on doors in the district.

“We have real issues to solve and the battles are a distraction.”

Both candidates said they want Montana’s $457 million budget surplus to help provide people with needed tax relief.

“Across the board, taxes need to be reduced and property tax relief has to be there,” said Maclean, who supports a one-time rebate “as high as possible” and long-term relief. “I don’t think we have to choose between one or the other,” she said.

Lavin said the state’s surplus should be used to provide permanent tax relief.

“There’s been some ideas floated from some candidates who say we’re going to give somebody a one-time bonus check. That helps you go buy a TV or something, but we want permanent tax relief,” Lavin said. He added that tax relief is high on the Republican agenda for next session and “one of our main goals as a whole.”

Fixing unfunded obligations in Montana’s pension system will require careful study and a long-term plan with a significant amount of money from diverse sources, Maclean said. “It’s critical to address it and to start immediately.”

Lavin called the pension system’s unfunded obligations “a huge problem” that’s not getting any better on its own and something the Legislature will undoubtedly take up next session.

“I think both parties will agree this is a problem that needs to be fixed, so we’ll work together and get a solution to that,” he said.

When it comes to the federal Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act, Maclean said it’s a new policy with some popular provisions, and something that may need changes and improvements.

“But it’s critical to not use it as a political football,” she said. “We are all trying to do good things and the right thing, and the right thing is making sure that all Montanans have access to the health care services they need.”

Lavin said that Republicans must stand up to President Obama’s “forcing of this issue down our throats.”

“I still believe it’s unconstitutional to force somebody to pay for a product,” he said of the law’s requirement that Americans buy and maintain health insurance coverage or pay a “tax” starting in 2014.

If the Medicaid program is expanded in Montana, as allowed by the law, it must be done within the state’s financial constraints, Lavin said. He also wonders what adding 50,000 people to the state’s Medicaid rolls would do to patient access. “We already have a shortage of doctors in this state,” he said.

As a 20-year employee with the Montana Highway Patrol, Lavin said public safety is an important issue for him. He pointed to passage of his legislation for 24/7 sobriety, a program available to some people who are convicted of driving under the influence.

The program has expanded to more than a dozen Montana counties, including Flathead. It has participants come in for twice-a-day tests to show that they are staying sober.

“They pay for the testing, so the program doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime,” Lavin said. “And it lets people continue working and paying taxes instead of being in jail and having taxpayers pay for that,” Lavin said.

Both candidates said they support responsible development of Montana’s energy resources.

Maclean said job training and support for industries is another big part of her platform, so people can stay and work in Montana. “If we’re heading into a session with a surplus, I think we should come out as a role model for the rest of the country. And I think we can,” she said.

Lavin said he wants to see a pro-jobs, pro-economy approach in the Legislature so businesses want to come here and hire here, and the next generation of Montanans, including his own children, can have a good life without having to leave the state to find work. “It’s kind of a personal goal,” he said.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.