State Legislature 2024: HD43-Larry Brewster (R)

What are your three most important policy priorities? What do you hope the impact of implementing these policies will be?

Housing, land use, work force training Medicaid

In a recent survey of our members, an overwhelming portion of respondents (96%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “Reducing the cost of doing business in Montana generally benefits all Montanans.” What do you hope the Legislature will do to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana?

Lower taxes, reducing the time for project approvals of projects.

In our recent survey, public safety was identified as the number one policy issue for our members. During the 2023 Session, important bills to update the antiquated Youth Court Act and revise theft laws both narrowly failed. We expect those and other safety bills to come up during the 2025 Session. What legislative changes would you suggest to address safety issues in Billings and around the state?

Change the problems at the borders, work with the schools to improve graduation rates, slow the migration of problems from the rest of eastern Montana or provide regional services for behavior problems and pathways to crime.

Last session, the Montana Legislature passed numerous bipartisan housing bills, reforming onerous regulations that restrict housing supply and appropriating an historic amount of funding for housing. Considering how much was accomplished, it was dubbed the “Montana Miracle.” However, the work is not done, and more recommendations are coming forward from the Governor’s Housing Task Force. Which recommendations to add housing supply and make housing more affordable will you consider supporting?

I support most of the recommendations from the governors committee, most of those that have financial considerations need to have a bill written and get a fiscal note so we can see what the cost is and what the benefit will be.

Over the last two sessions, the Montana Legislature took significant steps to reduce the business equipment tax, relieving 502 Yellowstone County businesses from the burden of paying this tax. Would you be supportive of further reductions, allowing even more businesses to keep more of their hard-earned dollars?

Going beyond where it is moves it to statewide businesses, I don’t think we should go farther until we get an idea what the back fill from income tax will be.

Reauthorizing Medicaid Expansion will be a major topic of debate in the upcoming session. Originally passed in 2015, the program provides significant benefits to Yellowstone County, creating over 1,500 jobs and providing healthcare coverage to approximately 10% of our local workforce. Are you supportive of reauthorization? With changes? Not at all?

With changes and some assurance that the rules would be followed as far as eligibility.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is consistently a topic at the Legislature, with supporters arguing it is one of the only economic development tools available to local communities in Montana, while some opponents contend it should be eliminated. The Billings Chamber has long been a strong supporter but acknowledges there could be room for improvement. What are your thoughts on TIF?

TIFs and TEDs need to take some time before the pass a bond to extend the district, have a meeting with the taxing entities if their original goals have been met, decide if the base should be reset, or the district dissolved.

Considering the concern over recent property tax increases, the Governor established a Property Tax Task Force to offer recommendations for dealing with increasing property taxes. Which of the 12 recommendations, or other solutions, would you support to address property tax concerns?

Pot all voted and fixed mails under 15-10-420 which levels the up and down motions of revenue by reducing the number of mills levied, because the growth is regulated.