The battle for the Republican party's soul

Letter to the Editor,

There is a war for the soul of the Republican party in Montana.

Responsible Republicans have shown leadership with conservative solutions and that is the path I hope voters take on June 3.

The alternative is a Montana Republican party fueled by dark money, emulating Washington, D.C. grid lock — the party of “no,” guns on campuses and shooting drones.

The state of Montana is in the enviable financial position with a structurally balanced budget and a $350 million ending fund balance. Montana is one of a few states that addressed their overdue bills from the Great Recession without raising taxes.   

Responsible Republicans working within the constraints of the legislative system and the guidelines outlined by the Montana constitution have been able to cut taxes, fund a world-class K-12 school system, freeze tuition at our universities, fairly pay our hard working state employees and build infrastructure, all while maintaining a balanced budget. Government in Montana has grown at a pace less than population growth plus inflation since 1993, much less than the growth of wages. This is because responsible Republicans have made hard choices and set priorities.

The 2015 session of the Montana Legislature will feature some big issues that need reflection and hard work. There is a lot we must do to grow our economy. We must address the issues of income-tax simplification, work with our health care providers to reform Medicare/Medicaid, address property tax reappraisal, make worker’s compensation system changes, meet Montana’s expanding infrastructure needs and get more federal logs on trucks.

Responsible Republicans have worked hard to deliver a Montana that is a great place to live, work and play.  Many primary races provide a choice for the voter — D.C.-style gridlock or a hard working team looking for solutions to make government work. If the legislature fails to function, the bureaucracy will govern.

Senator Bruce Tutvedt