Election 2010: State House District 2

As part of its general election coverage in Lincoln County, The Western News is publishing information about candidates and ballot measures. Mike Cuffe, Republican, and Tim Linehan, Democrat, are running for state representative of District 2. Absentee ballots have been sent and the polls will be open Nov. 2.

Mike Cuffe

Age: 63

City of Residence: Eureka

Background: Born in Eureka; graduated from Lincoln County High School along with wife JoAn; journalism degree from the University of Montana. Children, Matt (1988) and Molly (1991) went through Libby schools and UM, with Matt graduating law school. I was editor of The Western News 1972-77 with temporary leave as press secretary to Congressman Dick Shoup (Republican), held management positions in Libby plywood-lumber mills, became part-owner and superintendent of Lone Pine Timber Industries at Eureka, established copy shop-advertising-publishing business in Eureka 2005-10. I began a Pay It Forward Scholarship at LCHS.

Tim Linehan

Age: 48

City of Residence: I live in the Yaak.

Background: I’m running for state representative in House District 2 and am a very conservative Democrat. Eighteen years ago I pawned my favorite deer rifle, a Winchester Model 94, to help pay for my first drift boat. With help from my wife, Joanne, and a lot of sweat equity, I’ve built a successful outfitting and lodging business. I believe in being fiscally conservative. That means saving taxpayers money and never spending more than necessary. I believe in a quality education for our children, in bringing people together, and I’m tired of the political divisiveness that creates only more gridlock.

Describe one issue that you will work for and one that you will work against as a legislator.

Cuffe: Jobs and the economy are No. 1 priority. Balancing the budget without raising taxes is No. 2. We need private jobs. Government must promote new business development by creating a business-friendly regulatory and tax structure. Specifically, reduce equipment tax, maintain credit for research and development, rein in workman’s compensation costs and allow business to keep incentives of growth and profit.

The wolf is at the door in more ways than one, and so is the grizzly bear.

Growth of the wolf population is out of control and is typical of federal government. We must push back against the feds, and I will co-sign legislation for state wolf management.  Grizzly bear population estimates, which may be inaccurate, are blocking copper mine development, and we must fund studies to verify a true population.

The wolf is a poster child for federal encroachments on state and personal rights.

Linehan: I will work to help create good-paying jobs here in Lincoln County and across the state and to make small businesses more profitable. Eighty-five percent of Montana’s workforce is employed by small businesses. One of my goals is to reduce the business equipment tax, which will provide immediate help to family-owned businesses, and I’ll help our natural resource-based industries wherever I can. I will work against any effort to cut funding for education. I believe education is the best investment we can make as a community, and it’s no secret that a well-educated and skilled workforce equates to a better economy.

What areas of state government, if any, would you propose for reducing spending?

Cuffe: We will put the budgets and expenditures for all departments on the table and review thoroughly. It won’t be easy, but it will be similar to working out the budget for a plywood plant or lumber mill when markets are down and costs are up. I have been there and done that. 

First, trim the fat and the excesses. Second, look at unnecessary waste, duplication, fraud and abuse. Third, increase efficiencies, streamline operations and consider consolidations. Fourth, tighten up the belt all the way around. Fifth, keep funding programs to encourage economic growth, so state revenues increase as businesses grow and jobs increase.

Agencies should not add hidden taxes in the form of new fees. State government will finish this year about $400 million in the red, so we face a huge task to pull the budget into line.

Linehan: Ninety percent of the state general fund is spent on education, health care and our prison system. Whenever you start having to cut spending or programs, you have to realize you can’t please everyone. I will not cut spending on education in any way, shape or form. But there are two immediate ways to cut spending – reduce the size of government by combining and cutting administrative positions, and freeze any new spending on capital and infrastructure improvements in the next budget.

What are your views on the medical marijuana issue facing our state?

Cuffe: If marijuana is being prescribed as medicine, it should be controlled as medicine. Those prescribing it must be held accountable, and those obtaining it for medical use must not resell it.

I hope things like marijuana control don’t become a smoke screen that hide the huge issues of balancing the budget, reducing regulations that kill business and industry, and the important task of pushing the federal government back to the basics of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Linehan: The medical marijuana issue is also very simple to me. Tightly screen and provide legitimate patients with the care they need from their doctor. Create sound legislation that controls distribution, much like all other pharmaceuticals and that also absolutely prevents abuse or illicit sales.