Letters to the editor Oct. 2

Building stronger communities

As we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing Montana, I remain focused on strengthening the foundations that matter most to families in House District 4. 

That means supporting public safety, ensuring quality education and protecting the rights of parents in their children’s schooling.

This past session I was proud to support legislation that gives our law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. These men and women answer the call in our most difficult moments, and they deserve strong legislative backing to recruit, retain, and train effectively.

Education is also central to our state’s future. I stood with our teachers and students through the STARS Act, which provided districts with resources to raise base teacher pay and stabilize classrooms. At the same time, I have been a strong voice for school choice and parental rights. Every parent deserves the ability to make decisions that best fit the needs of their child, whether that is in a public, private, charter or home school setting.

Montana succeeds when we prioritize both safety and opportunity. By supporting those who protect our communities and by empowering parents and educators, we can ensure that every child and every family in our state has the chance to thrive.

— Rep. Lyn Bennett, R-Columbia Falls

Sales tax needed

According to a news article in the Sept. 25 Inter Lake, there was about $5.28 billion of tourist spending in Montana over the past two years. Since there is no sales tax on these expenditures, not a penny of that money was returned into the road, police or city infrastructures affected.

Even a modest 2% sales tax would have returned $116,000,000 back into our communities over that time. Wouldn’t that be welcomed by the communities and the property owners alike?

Tourists, illegals, druggies etc., all come here and live for free. Even a modest 2% sales tax would give everyone skin in the game. Why are the property owners not up in arms over this? Why is that such a challenge for our legislators to comprehend?

— Scott Matthews, Polson