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 9

Steven C Kelly (R) 

Age: 66

Occupation: Law enforcement, risk management

Family: Married with six daughters and 13 grandchildren

Background: Thirty years in law enforcement including as a sheriff’s deputy in Washoe County, Nevada and stints as a training officer, crime scene investigator, hostage negotiator and court bailiff among others; bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix; attended Boston University’s Senior Management Institute for Policing and a graduate of the FBI National Academy; member of groups including Back Country Horseman, Flathead Valley Clay Target Club, Flathead County Republican Central Committee and associated member of the Flathead County Republican Women as well as treasurer of a homeowners association

What property tax reform policies do you support?  

I do not think there is a simple approach to this problem, and there is no one policy that will fix this. Our property tax system is so complicated that the state online video takes two hours to explain it. This system should be simplified so the average voter can understand it. I do think we need to roll back the tax levels to pre-2020. I believe there should be some cap mechanism. I believe the current valuation system is flawed in that an owner can be stuck with a high valuation due to a market bump that may not be realistic over time. Let’s utilize other revenue sources to offset what we may lose from a rollback and diversify our revenue stream. 

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 don’t believe the government can always solve every problem; at times, it creates more problems when it attempts to do so. The current housing issue is market driven. The government is better off leaving the market alone outside of extreme circumstances. However, that doesn’t mean there can’t be some collaborative efforts to build entry-level housing to offset the need in this area. I would support legislation to encourage collaboration to help address these issues, but I don’t believe that the government should be the manager of such projects. 

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

 I question this statement because as long as I have been an adult, I have never heard a school district say, “We have enough money.” They are always short. It makes me question their budgeting methods and priorities. There is a difference between needs and wishes. I would like to know what is being prioritized and why. Anything that does not meet the school district’s core mission should be questioned. Could an independent review of the budgets possibly be conducted to see if there can be a less costly approach? If you look at the tone of question one (above), it is clear that the voters want their taxes decreased, not increased; we need to ensure that these budgets are efficient and effective and then find a separate revenue source. 

How do you view the judicial branch in the state?  

The judicial branch is required to be nonpartisan. However, several court rulings, especially from the Montana Supreme Court, appear to be picking sides. This should not be. Their rulings should be based on sound legal principles and established case law. Currently, that does not appear to be so. We need to put a stop to judicial activism and return the courts to the rule of law and impartiality. 

What other policies or issues would you like to address if elected?

 I want to address the prison overcrowding situation and fix the mental health system. Our local jail has had to house state inmates because no room was available at the state facilities. While the state does reimburse the county, it is not at the current cost. So, the county loses money. In addition, the loss of bed space keeps the jail overcrowded so that we do not have room to house lesser offenders such as DUI and theft. The lack of a robust mental health system also contributes to a lack of bed space, as these individuals are often housed in jail for offenses related to their behavior when they should be in a facility receiving treatment for their illness. When our criminal justice system works at all levels, it can be more effective at addressing and deterring crime. 

Joanne Morrow (D)  

No information provided.