Carney files for re-election

Eileen Carney, former state representative for the Libby area, filed for re-election on Jan. 28.

Originally elected in 2000, Carney served on Taxation, Local Government and Telecommunications and Federal Relations committees. She was vice-chair of Local Government.

Carney has lived in Libby for 32 years, coming originally in 1975 to teach Spanish, French and English at Libby Senior High School. She has been active in the civic life of Libby serving on the board of St. John's Lutheran Hospital, the Lincoln County RAC, Women's Help Line, CAG and Irish Fair. She is president of Kootenai Pets For Life, which works to lower the number of animals needed to be rescued by the county animal shelter.

Carney graduated from Billings Central High School and went on to Carroll College in Helena. She received her Master's degree in Spanish from the University of Montana-Missoula.

Carney served during the 2001 and 2003 sessions and in the interim between sessions, was appointed to two important committees: Revenue and Transportation and Tax Reform.

"The discussions on these two important committees have given me a great background on tax policy and the way we tax in Montana," said Carney.

As before, Carney said her goals will be to work on funding for public schools. "The legislature will have to come up with a better way to fund schools that does not depend on the number of students in the system. Schools need to know that they have the funds they need to operate. A good education system is the cornerstone of economic development and we can't advance without educating our young people," said Carney. "It will be important to find a system that works to fund out schools."

As a result of being on the Tax Reform Committee, Carney feels that a tax structure that treats all citizens fairly is extremely important.

"The subject of sales tax always comes up as a solution to our tax policy," she said. "But I will vote against it because a general sales tax is unfair to young families, the poor and senior citizens."

"Our greatest concern is the economy," Carney said. "We need to protect small businesses because they provide most of our employment. They are much more reliable than large corporations because they won't pick up and run when profits aren't quite high enough."

Carney is a third generation Montanan who was born in Huntley. She graduated from Billings Central and from Carroll College in Helena. She lived in Guatemala for four years after graduation. She is a member of St. Joseph's Parish where she is Eucharistic Minister and Lector.