VOTE KATE MCLAUGHLIN
ISSUES
McLaughlin For Montana
Demand that Families Be Put First
Every triumph working families ever made, whether it child labor protections, 8 hour workday, minimum wage, or weekends off came because we demanded change. It is time again to start demanding family security: a liveable wage, lower cost of living, affordable health policies, rights for women, childcare/eldercare, and education.
EDUCATION
My sons have all attended Flathead High School. I believe it is very important to continue education to be a place that builds skills ( kids can learn construction, various art mediums, music, welding and other skills). Students are encouraged to excel and push themselves towards higher education ( IB Program, partnership with Running Start FVCC).
I attended public school, both my in-laws were teachers and I have friends and family who are currently teaching. Our education system should support the teachers that work there, ensure buildings that are safe and have adequate space. Legislation can create a school funding formula to allocate money to provide what our Montana Constitution states: “Equality of educational opportunity is guaranteed to each person of the state”. Your zip code should not reflect the value of education your children receive.
ENVIRONMENT
The majority of HD9 is public lands (81%) which totals about 54,938 acres of land which is managed by various agencies including: County government, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, MT State Trust Lands, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Forest Service. This land includes seven recreation sites: Smith Lake, Somers Fishing Access, Lone Pine State Park, Somers Beach State Park, Herron Park and Foys Lake Park.
We are very fortunate to have this land available and belong to all of us. These areas give us places to swim, fish, hike, hunt, boat, sled and ice skate, among other things.
The Montana Constitution guarantees our right to a clean and healthful environment. I support a moratorium on data centers in this state until we can study from other states the effects of the water usage, electricity increases to residents, noise and air pollution. I also support alternative energy sources to reduce our use on a finite source of energy. I also oppose corporations from other countries coming in to mine our Montana resources.
HEALTHCARE
25% of Flathead County is enrolled in Medicaid. The medicaid expansion program funded through federal dollars continues behavioral health services, and substance use disorder treatment, it also allows seniors to receive long term care.
Continuing Medicaid expansion also keeps Logan Health ( now merged with Billings Clinic) to provide care for our community. In a Flathead Beacon article they reported " The failure to reauthorize Medicaid expansion would impact 7,500 statewide jobs ... and $775 million in economic activity that it generates.
Montana medicaid has grown to include home births, which helps in keeping costs down, as the average hospital birth is $11,000. Montana also faces many areas without close access to maternal care and many rural area clinics are in danger of closing. I support home births and home care for elders in their own homes, but we face a serious lack of healthcare workers in these areas which needs to be addressed.
Unity
Montana's strength has always come from its families, it's strong local economies, it's relations with tribal nations and its willingness to come together in times of difficulty. This campaign is a call to embrace humanity, fairness and responsibility to one another. The answer is simple: prioritize families, their economy, and unite around shared goals.
Issues
Families First
Property tax -base tax on purchase price rather than changing market value
Privacy - protect personal and medical data from corporate misuse and security breaches
Education - Retain great teachers and invest in Montana students.
Support wages that allow working families to thrive without assistance.
Propose a Montana child tax credit for parent and guardians.
Study how a statewide paid family medical leave, funded by a pool from employers and employees would impact Montana families, when they need to take time off to care for themselves of a loved one.
Agriculture- Mandate Mcool.
Agriculture- Support family based producers and ranchers with competitive, fair markets
Agriculture - build more state inspected processing facilities.
Strengthen infrastructure - roads
Lower taxes for small businesses
Health and Human Service
Health Insurance - Penalize unjustified delays and denials.
Health Insurance - require timely approvals for necessary care.
Childcare - 64% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, the average cost of care is $15,000 year (or $1257/mth), expand access to grants.
The current supply of regulated child care does not meet the demand. Lack of access costs the state's economy an estimated $516 million in lost earnings and productivity - we can expand access through Govt. Seed Funding.
Ensure long term care facilities are remain functional and financially stable.
Eliminate medical debt from consumer credit report.
Integrate mental health in primary care and schools
Environment
Preserve our public lands, agriculture, recreation and outdoor economy.
Moratorium on AI Data Center development in Montana to create protections for Montana's water, power grid, land, communities and ratepayers from unchecked industrial infrastructure expansion.
Hold corporations accountable for pollution and irresponsible development
Support responsible energy projects that benefit Montana communities.
Safeguard clean air and water
Climate resistance - Fund infrastructure upgrads to protect against floods, droughts and wildfires.
Justice
Women and children should be safe in their homes
Protection orders should be enforced
Safety is priority and comes before convenience
No one is above the law and no victim should be silenced
McLaughlin For Montana (D)
175 Hutton Ranch Rd. Ste 103 #315
Kalispell, MT 59901
