Ahead of the Nov. 5 election, the Daily Inter Lake sent questionnaires to state Legislature candidates running in contested races in Northwest Montana. Candidates were instructed to keep their answers to each of the four questions to under 150 words. Answers were lightly editing for brevity, clarity, Associated Press style and grammar.

House District 1

Neil Duram (R)

Age: Not provided.

Occupation: Law enforcement

Family: Husband, father of two, grandfather of four

Background: Eureka Police officer, retired Montana Highway Patrol, University of Montana graduate

What property tax reform policies do you support? Due to an influx of out of state buyers, property values have skyrocketed.

Currently, property tax is the primary funding mechanism for local government (cities and counties) and local schools. I am in agreement with local funding for local government and schools. Gov. Greg Gianforte has recently assembled a task force seeking reforms within our property taxes.  I will likely support that committees’ proposals. Each of us needs to pay our fair share — the difficulty becomes determining what our fair share is. I suspect the arguments for and against the property tax reforms will focus on determining what a fair share looks like.

Did the 2023 legislative session do enough to address the state’s housing crunch? Are there other avenues you’re in favor of pursuing?

I am not sure I buy into the concept that it is the Legislature’s primary mission to solve the housing crunch. Rather, we need to help create an economic environment that leads to prosperity for all Montana citizens. What are some of the factors affecting the housing market? Supply and demand is a primary issue. Short term rentals have removed a significant portion of household rental inventories. Many owners of residential properties have found the profit of short term rentals coupled with the decreased risk of uncompensated deterioration of their properties use.  The Legislature has taken the position of not hindering private property rights without significant justification. Home ownership is the foundation of our society, and that is why I supported the $675 property tax rebate. I was among the group of legislators that wanted the amount to be $1,500, but we did not make up 51% to get it done.

Public school districts across the state are facing budget shortfalls. What role can the Legislature play in shoring up public education funding?

I am open to ideas for education funding issues, and admit that school funding is not my specialty. One-third of school funding is local property taxes. School buildings are typically paid for by voter elected bonds. Coal mining, timber harvest and other mineral extraction have historically been a large funding contributor to the remaining two-thirds of school funding.  With the radical left’s war on coal, and general resistance to timber harvest and mineral extraction, those funding sources have been significantly reduced. Who is going to pick up the slack? I think (my recollection) the annual investment into each public school child is $53,000. Would more money better educate our children? 

How do you view the judicial branch in the state?

In reference to our founding principles of separation of powers into three co-equal branches, the Montana Judicial Branch has flexed its liberal might regularly in the past 20 years. The liberal causes file in the same few judges’ courts that predictably decide to the liberal cause.  The courts pass laws (through interpretation of laws passed by the Legislature), determine funding amounts and ignore legislative subpoenas. Some of those liberal judges were once liberal Legislators that were unable to push their agenda through the legislative process and have found success in doing so as a judge. What can be done about it? I don’t know. Those activist judges get voted into their court in left-leaning districts, but their cases decide for all of Montana. Perhaps the solution is to mandate that cases get spread to all the district courts instead of just the couple of activists.  Two Supreme Court seats will be on the ballot on Nov. 5 along with a number of district court judges. I urge each voter to carefully consider who they voter for, and I hope that they don’t vote for the liberal activists.

What other policies would you like to address if elected?

It is my endeavor to support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I pray that each of my decisions supports those core values. I am hopeful that Montanans (and Americans) can reflect on what they contribute to our state and nation, and through their contributions find prosperity for all of us. Live each day to its fullest, and give thanks to God who is the provider of all good things.

Dakota Adams (D)

No information provided.