In the 2006 and 2008 elections, Kalispell’s House District 8 was decided by a combined 51 votes out of more than 7,000 votes cast, switching from Republican to Democrat.
Republican Craig Witte’s narrow 1,590 to 1,553 victory over Democrat Randy Kenyon in 2006, followed by Witte’s even tighter 2,029 to 2,015 loss to Democrat Cheryl Steenson in 2008, solidified the district’s reputation as one of the most unpredictable in the Flathead Valley.
Though the 2010 race was more decisive, with Republican Steve Lavin garnering 52 percent of the vote to Democrat Bryan Schutt’s 37 and Independent Bill Jones’ 10 percent, House District 8 remains one of the most Democratic friendly in the valley. Schutt had been appointed to replace Steenson, who resigned to take a teaching position in Latin America.
After running unopposed in this year’s June primary, Lavin is seeking a second term in a general election matchup against Democrat Brittany MacLean, a grant writer from Whitefish. There is no third-party candidate this time around.
In her first run for elected office in 2008, MacLean lost to Republican Ryan Zinke in the race for Senate District 2. Zinke secured 52 percent of the vote to MacLean’s 44 percent.
MacLean, 42, a fifth-generation Montanan born and raised in the Flathead Valley, said she knows Kalispell and its issues well. Her platform is focused on economic and community development through new industries and creative thinking, with an emphasis on quality education and workforce training.
“We need to create an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive,” she said. “Additionally, I think that a strong piece of economic viability and community strength is rewarding companies and businesses that are family friendly and have healthy work environments.”
Lavin, 45, a Montana Highway Patrol sergeant from Kalispell and also a fifth-generation Montanan, is touting the GOP’s efforts to improve the business climate during his first term, including lowering workers’ compensation rates and reducing the business equipment tax.
If reelected, he would like to continue lowering workers’ comp rates and completely eliminate the business equipment tax. He wants encourage more natural resource development as well.
During the 2011 session, Lavin carried a bill establishing the 24/7 Sobriety program to crack down on repeat DUI offenders.
“Personally I was really proud to pass the 24/7 bill,” he said. “I think it’s made the state a safer place.”
Both MacLean and Lavin are placing high priority on property tax relief, as well as addressing the state’s large pension shortfall.
MacLean says voters are tired of hyper-partisanship and the constant flood of negative advertising.
“I’ve had conversations with people who say, ‘What could happen if that money wasn’t being used to battle each other? What if that money was used to actually solve issues?’” she said.
MacLean considers herself an independent who is “dedicated to moving beyond party,” and she would like the opportunity to put her independent approach to work at the Legislature.
“What I’m really talking to people about is to not give up faith in our system and that it’s based on the people we elect to represent us, and it’s critically important to vote and make your voice heard,” she said.
Lavin said he has enjoyed going door to door and meeting potential voters a second time around. He said people are “more energized than even last time.”
With many people still out of work, Lavin hopes voters will send him back to the Legislature to build on last session’s successes on economic issues.
“I think the momentum’s there and I hope the voters in my district reelect me to go back because I learned a lot last time and I think we can get a lot done this time,” Lavin said.
“I’ll continue to work really hard for the citizens of Montana and specifically the people of the Flathead Valley and Kalispell.”
House District 8 candidates were asked the following five questions:
1. What can the Legislature do to spur economic recovery and job growth?
2. How should the Legislature address the state government worker pension shortfall, which is projected to exceed $3 billion over the next 30 years?
3. The U.S. Supreme Court gave states the choice of whether to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. What should Montana do and why?
4. Given that the state is projected to have a surplus, what should be the Legislature’s budgetary priorities during the next session?
5. What are the other most pressing issues facing the Legislature and why?
HOUSE DISTRICT 8
Name: Brittany MacLean
Age: 42
Party: Democrat
Bio: Contract grant writer; bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from University of Montana; graduate studies in policy and nonprofit management at New School for Social Research in New York
Years in the valley: 22
Campaign website: www.electmaclean.com
1. Legislation should lower taxes, create incentives, and make certain that workers, small businesses, and families have the training, resources, and infrastructure they need to thrive. More than ever, it is critical for local and state governments to be creative – to address the underlying issues that block sustainable economic growth and to formulate new policies for changing times.
Specifically, legislation must provide tax relief and tax incentives for small businesses, including: owners, workers and entrepreneurs. All three must be able to access quality education and training programs, startup funds, and continued financial resource support. Additionally, companies and businesses should be rewarded for taking care of their employees and keeping communities strong, including tax credits for family-friendly policies and healthy work environments.
2. This obligation must be addressed. A portion of our surplus will need to be used. Additionally, I believe a “permanent fund” should be considered (similar to Alaska’s permanent fund model). A portion of state revenue would be invested in diversified and safe investments. A percentage of yields could be used to address the worker pension shortfall, and a percentage could be paid out to every Montana citizen in the form of annual dividend payments. Further, a portion of state revenue from diverse sources will need to be earmarked for this debt – immediately and with the establishment of sustained payment schedules.
3. I believe every Montanan must have access to quality health care. All the options for meeting this objective will need to be considered, including expanding Medicaid.
4. First, a portion of these funds should be returned directly to the citizens of Montana. It is, indeed, their money. Secondly, these funds should be invested in the immediate and future health of Montana, including community health, vocational and educational entities, preventative care for children and families, and creative economic development models.
5. I believe decisions regarding the use and designation of our state’s surplus will be the most pressing issue facing the Legislature. We are blessed to have this surplus. We must invest it wisely, in a manner that will show yields for generations of future Montanans.
Name: Steve Lavin
Age: 45
Party: Republican (incumbent)
Bio: Montana Highway Patrol sergeant with 20 years of service; state representative in House District 8 representing Kalispell; bachelor of science degree in sociology from Montana State University
Years in the valley: 20
Campaign website: www.stevelavin4hd8.weebly.com
1. The Legislature can do a lot to spur economic recovery and job growth. We were able to accomplish many things during the last Legislature, including lowering workers’ compensation rates and the business equipment tax. This has allowed Montana businesses to hire more people. There’s still more work to do with these, though, and I’ll work hard to continue helping to reduce these rates. We can also work hard to encourage responsible natural resource development, which creates good-paying jobs and money for our state.
2. The pension shortfall has created a big fiscal problem for our state. We should protect obligations to current employees, but we’ll need to make some adjustments for new hires. One fix that needs to be considered is changing from a defined benefit to a defined contribution pension plan. This is a tough issue, but it obviously needs to be resolved soon.
3. Expanding Medicaid under Obamacare could cost the state of Montana up to $119 million, according to the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research. This would factor into the entire budgeting process. This expansion of up to 50,000 people might affect patient access due to a physician shortage in parts of Montana. My support will depend on the overall priorities of the Montana Legislature in the upcoming session.
4. One of the main priorities during the next session will be a permanent property tax reduction. One-time gimmicks are not a good solution for the people of Montana. Republicans will continue to protect taxpayers from government overspending. Even with a surplus, Montana still has obligations, including the abovementioned pension shortfall.
5. There are many pressing issues facing the upcoming Legislature. I believe that if we can elect the Hill/Sonju team we can really accomplish a lot. I’ll support their plan to encourage resource development in Montana. This would create a solid base for job growth and economic recovery that our great state needs. If we do this properly, budgeting issues won’t be such a problem. I’m really looking forward to serving again in the upcoming Legislature if I am reelected.