Dunn ready to take on 'ornery' politicians in Helena
David Dunn
Age: 30
Party: Republican
Family: Single
Education: Four classes away from a bachelor’s degree at University of Washington
Occupation: Owner of DW Organics LLC
Q: A slate of budget cuts were made in 2017 to address a $227 million shortfall caused by less than anticipated revenue and an expensive fire season. What should the priorities be in the state budget in the next legislative session?
A: Revenues turned out to be better than expected, yet drastic cuts were made to the Department of Public Health and Human Services that affected our valley’s ability to assist people with special needs. My political philosophy is to cut spending in the state budget where possible and in nonessential services. I do not want to assign more burden onto the taxpayers just because government doesn’t know how to cut programs. Instead of creating higher taxes for the citizen our government ought to foster a better business environment in which industry may increase revenues for the state. We should promote our lumber, mining and oil opportunities in the state.
Q: Do you support a sales tax or other tax increases as a way to shore up the budget and increase revenue?
A: No.
Q: Montana’s Medicaid expansion program is set to expire in 2019. Should the state renew this program?
A: Committing the taxpayer to Medicaid will not be as harmless to our state budget as it was in years past. The costs of Medicaid will likely be uncapped, whatever the final number is the taxpayer is on the hook for. From fiscal year 2019 to 2020 the state will owe $90 million the first year and roughly $120 million the next year at current costs (full cost with feds at roughly $1.2 billion). Medicaid as a program hurts the truly vulnerable, mentally ill and disabled people by providing “free” health care to able-bodied childless, non-working adults. Medicaid also hurts the taxpayer as there are no cost controls. Socialism never works. The conservative members of the Legislature have free-market solutions ready, but they will be vetoed if they reach the current governor’s desk. Montana should not renew this program.
Q: Which other issues would you like to see addressed by the Legislature?
A: I’d like a raw milk and food freedom bill passed like what was done in Wyoming. I’ve heard there are swampy elements in Helena against raw milk whom I will call deplorable. I’d love to enable all forms of hemp farming because our founders knew its great potential. Facebook and Google have been proven to be biased politically and something needs to be done on the state or federal level because their biases are the greatest of election meddling. Our forestry practices are not working. I’m ready to reclaim federal forest as state forest while keeping the lands public in perpetuity. Locally managed forests are healthier and generate more revenue for the state. All red-flag gun laws should be killed in committee because they are antithetical to due process and unconstitutional in my view.
Q: Why are you the right choice to represent your district?
A: I’m an honest man ready work to work in the Legislature with the conservative caucus. I’m endorsed by the NRA, the Montana Shooting Sports Association and the Montana Family Foundation. I have multiple years of experience handling and milking goats so I’m ready to take on politicians in Helena who have an ornery disposition. I have a passion for history and enjoy reading it. I will place all bills put before me in the purview of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For some reason the book of Proverbs speaks to my spirit in this moment: “Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee.”