Supports Hill

It was obvious in the Oct. 27 governor’s debate that Montana citizens have a clear choice this election. They can select a governor who will protect the status quo without real reforms or Rick Hill, who desires to open up our natural resources to responsible harvest and provide permanent property tax relief to Montanans. He also desires to enhance our freedom to choose how we educate our own children as well as to choose to join a union or not.

With a drop-out rate of 18 percent for Montana public schools, charter schools could have an immediate impact by providing education to those who cannot qualify for the open jobs. A 2012 survey in Montana by Braum Research revealed that 54 percent of voters supported charter schools while 21 percent opposed. Montana is one of nine states that do not have charter schools.

Montana is similar to Alaska when it comes to the right to not join a union. When I was hired by the Alaska Department of Education as the state supervisor of business education, I did not realize that I had to join a union and later crossed a picket line to do the work I was hired to do for the department. Rick Hill believes like I do — workers should have a choice to join or not.

I worked on issues in the education committee while serving in the Montana House for more local school control, accountability and efficiency. I was confronted by the teachers union and the school board association.

The teachers union tried to defeat me when I ran for the Senate. After winning the election, I got off the education committee because I saw the situation as hopeless — both labor (teachers union) and management (school board association) were working together to the detriment of the taxpayers.

School choice and the right to not join a union has actually improved schools in other states. The free enterprise system which is based on individual freedom to choose provides competition which results in the best quality at the cheapest price.

Rick Hill, as governor and a Republican land board (statewide candidates) member, will provide high-paying jobs in Montana, funds to lower property taxes, funds for building infrastructure, and more funds for schools.

Please join me in supporting Rick Hill’s “no nonsense” approach to getting us back to work and on the road to tax relief.

Sen. Verdell Jackson

Kalispell