Bennett, Jordan will square off in House District 4
The following House District 4 candidates responded to a recent questionnaire. The district covers the city of Columbia Falls and Whitefish.
Lyn Bennett (R)
Age: Not provided
Occupation: Health care
Family: Married with three children and one grandchild
Background: Worked as a nurse in various settings for about 20 years, volunteer with children’s and youth activities, former member of the Flathead County Republican Women’s group, past president and board member of Glacier Country Pachyderm, and lifetime auxiliary member of the Lion Mountain VFW
What property tax reform policies do you support?
I support controlling local spending to reduce the reliance on property tax income for funding. Homeowners should not be forced out of their homes or penalized if their valuations increase. I aim to protect the most vulnerable, including seniors, from being unable to afford to stay in their homes. Property tax should reflect a community’s needs based on objective factors such as inflation and population growth. I would consider an automatic cap on annual property tax increases. One of our revenue streams includes natural resources. I plan to support the increase in our natural resource production. I support ensuring transparency and accountability among local governments and supporting an easily searchable database of all local spending. I support a homestead exemption to reduce property taxes for Montanans’ houses used as primary residences or long-term rentals. Airbnb-style rentals would also capture more tax revenue from out-of-state residents. This proposal would adjust the conversion rates, determining how much of a property’s appraised market value is translated to taxable value. The conversion rate would be dialed down for primary residences and up for homes that aren’t occupied full-time. I plan to work towards transparency in property tax assessment and ensure taxpayers are better informed about how their taxes are calculated.
Did the 2023 legislative session do enough to address the state’s housing crunch? Are there other avenues you are in favor of pursuing?
The Legislature made real progress toward attainable and affordable housing solutions in the 2023 legislative session. On Tuesday, 9/3/2024, the supreme court reversed the injunction placed on Senate Bill 323 and Senate Bill 528 in the MAID v. Montana case so landowners can build accessory dwelling units or duplexes on their property. With strict zoning laws overridden, landowners in Montana cities have more freedom to construct affordable starter homes. Owning a home is foundational to the American dream; Montanans should be able to live in the communities where they work. The supply of housing has not kept up with the demand for housing. Inflation has increased the price of building materials and construction labor, making it harder for builders to offer lower prices to potential home buyers. As more homes are built, the increase in supply should help relieve the housing issue.
Public school districts across the state are facing shortfalls. What role can the Legislature play in shoring up public funding?
I can support additional state funding for schools to address their inflation challenges as long as the funding package is designed to ensure the money gets to the classroom to support teachers and enhance student performance.
How do you view the judicial branch in the state?
The role of the judicial branch in Montana is to interpret the law, not to make the law. It is to act as a nonpartisan branch with fairness and equal justice. Judges in Montana are elected and accountable to the people of Montana. Transparency about judicial actions and decisions is essential to upholding Montanans’ ability to make informed decisions at the ballot box.
What other policies or issues would you like to address if elected?
Promote economic growth and business development to help tackle inflation.
Public safety: Prioritizing our resources to fund local law enforcement and first responders. Investing in providing resources for recruiting, retention and training.
Affordable, doctor and patient-centered health care: A focus on increasing access to appropriate care when and where it is needed. Protecting the most vulnerable, such as seniors and those with pre-existing conditions.
Improve affordability of health care: Promote individual control, preventative care, lower prescription drug costs and transparent pricing. Protecting the human dignity and life of every person.
Excellence in education: Allow for educational choices that best fit the individual student. Strong support for our local school districts. Prioritize innovation in education and equip our students with in-demand skills.
Over the past few months, I have met thousands of House District 4 community members and am thankful for their time to discuss what issues are most important to them. Their wisdom, experience and knowledge are essential. I hope to earn your support and vote in the upcoming election.
Lindsey Jordan (D)
Age: 43
Occupation: Licensed mental health therapist
Family: Married with two children
Background: Sixth generation Montanan born and raised in the Flathead Valley, holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology, and a master’s degree in nonprofit management and social work, worked therapist in the valley since 2006, youth soccer coach and supporter of nonprofit organizations focusing on children
What property tax reform policies do you support?
The property tax system is complicated and will have no simple solution; however, it must be addressed. The recent changes to the state tax system by the Legislature during the 2023 legislative session placed the majority of the burden on the general Montana population by giving huge tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest residents and/or nonresidents. The tax burden ought to be shared equally across all property owners whether it be business, industry or private/residential. I support the homestead act, which would give tax breaks to full time Montana residents. I also support a higher tax rate for individuals who have vacation homes in our state and do not reside in Montana full time. Taxes placed on the marijuana industry could also be allocated to pay for essential services.
Did the 2023 legislative session do enough to address the state’s housing crunch? Are there other avenues you’re in favor of pursuing?
Housing costs in Montana continue to rise without commensurate increases in wages and benefits for employees. I believe that the 2023 Legislature could have done more to address the issue. Housing is a complicated, multifaceted issue. I believe that solving this dilemma will require collaboration between local and state governments as well as business and property owners. Local ordinances will need to mandate varied housing cost levels while also ensuring quality construction and energy efficiency. Creating a subsidy structure for builders and property owners in the form of tax credits as well as income qualifying subsidies to assist individuals in obtaining housing could be utilized. I also support deed restricted housing projects. If this issue is not addressed, employers will struggle to fill job vacancies, the tax base will decrease and funding for public infrastructure will be insufficient. Working to create more options for affordable housing will be a top priority for me if I am elected to the Legislature.
Public school districts across the state are facing budget shortfalls. What role can the Legislature play in shoring up public education funding?
I believe the primary role of the Legislature is to fund the public education system. Investing in public schools, not charter schools, is the key to ensuring a strong local community. Requiring corporations to pay their fair share of taxes as opposed to the last legislative session where, for example, Northwestern Energy was given a $55 million tax break needs to be changed. Those corporations should have paid their fair share of taxes, which would have funded public education. It is essential that our teachers be paid a living wage, our school facilities are in good repair and funding for education is not primarily dependent on homeowners’ property taxes. Public education is the great equalizer for our society as children regardless of socioeconomic status have an opportunity to positively impact their future.
How do you view the judicial branch in the state?
The judicial branch’s responsibility is to uphold the Montana Constitution and abide by the laws that are currently in place. I do not believe that the judicial branch of government should be partisan and use the office to promote a political agenda.
What other policies or issues would you like to address if elected?
If elected, other policies I would like to address would include mental health resources and funding across our state. Montana currently ranks third in the country for suicide, and Flathead County ranks third in the state. I believe that we can do better as a community and Legislature to meet the mental health needs of our residents.