State Legislature 2024: HD43-Alexander Clark (D)

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

Permanent Property Tax Relief: Let’s work to ensure that property taxes are fair and predictable, providing relief to hardworking homeowners and fostering economic stability—because people’s financial security matters more than party politics.

Public Education: Our children’s education is paramount. By advocating for transparent and responsible school budgeting, we can ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed. We absolutely need to rework the formula for school funding and support our educators and students.

Public Safety: We all deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods. I’ll collaborate with law enforcement and community leaders to implement effective strategies that prioritize safety and build trust, because public safety is a concern that unites us all, regardless of party.

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?

I believe it’s essential that we strike a balance between reducing the cost of doing business and ensuring that all Montanans benefit. The Legislature should focus on pragmatic solutions that support both economic growth and community well-being.

First, we need to streamline regulations that are outdated or unnecessarily burdensome, making it easier for businesses to operate without compromising on environmental and worker protections. Additionally, addressing infrastructure needs—like broadband expansion and transportation—will reduce operational costs for businesses, especially in rural areas, and enhance their competitiveness.

Tax incentives for small businesses and startups can also encourage local entrepreneurship, fostering innovation and job creation across the state. However, it’s crucial these incentives are targeted and fiscally responsible, ensuring that they deliver real benefits to Montanans.

Lastly, the Legislature should invest in workforce development programs to help businesses find the skilled labor they need while providing our residents with the training and education necessary to secure good-paying jobs. By focusing on these key areas, we can create an environment where businesses thrive and all Montanans see the benefits.

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?

Public safety is a top priority, and it’s essential that we address the challenges facing Billings and communities across Montana with practical, effective solutions. To enhance safety, I support a comprehensive approach that includes updating laws and investing in resources that keep our neighborhoods secure.

First, revising the Youth Court Act is crucial. Our current system needs modernization to better address the root causes of youth crime. We should focus on early intervention and rehabilitation programs that provide at-risk youth with the support they need to avoid criminal behavior and build a brighter future. This approach not only reduces crime but also saves taxpayer dollars in the long run by decreasing recidivism.

Regarding theft laws, it’s clear that we need to update statutes to reflect the realities of today’s economic and social landscape. This means implementing stricter penalties for repeat offenders while also considering diversion programs for non-violent first-time offenders. These programs can help individuals get back on track without overburdening our criminal justice system.

Beyond legislative updates, I advocate for increased funding for law enforcement and first responders, particularly in high-need areas like Billings. This includes better training, access to mental health resources, and community policing initiatives that build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Finally, we must address the underlying issues contributing to crime, such as substance abuse and economic insecurity. By investing in mental health services, addiction treatment, and job creation, we can create safer, more resilient communities for everyone.

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?

A republican supermajority that ignored recommendations to lower property taxes and instead raised them should hardly be dubbed a “Montana Miracle.” Let us also consider the insane amount of bills that were introduced that were either struck down or are currently under litigation.

The progress made last session was significant, but we still have more work to do to ensure all Montanans have access to affordable housing. I’m open to supporting recommendations from the Governor’s Housing Task Force that build on this momentum, particularly those that focus on increasing housing supply while protecting our communities.

One key area is expanding incentives for the development of affordable and workforce housing, particularly in high-demand areas. This could include tax credits for builders who commit to constructing homes that middle- and low-income families can afford.

Another important recommendation is to continue streamlining the permitting process for new housing developments, which can reduce costs and speed up construction timelines. At the same time, we must ensure that environmental and community standards are maintained.

Additionally, I believe permanent property tax relief is essential for addressing housing affordability. This was a key recommendation, but unfortunately, it was ignored by Republicans last session. Implementing this relief would help keep long-term costs down for homeowners, making it easier for Montanans to stay in their homes and for new buyers to enter the market.

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?

I recognize the importance of supporting our local businesses and ensuring they can thrive. The reductions in the business equipment tax over the last two sessions have provided much-needed relief to many businesses in Yellowstone County, helping them reinvest in their operations and our community.

I am open to considering further reductions, but we need to approach this carefully. While it’s important to support businesses, we must also ensure that our state has the necessary revenue to fund essential services like education, public safety, and infrastructure.

If additional reductions are proposed, I would support them if we can balance the benefits with our state’s long-term financial health. This could include targeted reductions that prioritize small businesses or those in critical industries, ensuring that the relief provided generates the most significant impact.

Ultimately, our goal should be to create an environment where businesses can grow and succeed, while also maintaining the resources needed to support all Montanans.

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?

I strongly support reauthorizing Medicaid expansion. This program has been vital for Yellowstone County. It’s not just a health issue—it’s an economic one. By ensuring access to affordable healthcare, we help our workers stay healthy, productive, and able to contribute to our local economy.

Medicaid expansion has also been crucial for our hospitals and healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas. It has reduced uncompensated care costs and helped keep our healthcare system financially stable, which benefits everyone in our community.

While I support reauthorization, I am open to discussing improvements to the program. We should focus on ensuring the program remains fiscally responsible while continuing to meet the needs of those who rely on it. This could include exploring ways to increase efficiency, reduce administrative costs, and ensure that those who are able to work have access to job training and support.

Ultimately, reauthorizing Medicaid expansion is about maintaining the health and economic well-being of our community. It’s a smart investment in Montana’s future, and I will work to ensure it continues to benefit Yellowstone County and the entire state.

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?

I support Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a valuable economic development tool for Montana’s local communities. TIF has helped drive important projects that spur growth, revitalize neighborhoods, and create jobs in places like Billings. It allows localities to invest in infrastructure and development without placing an additional burden on taxpayers.

However, I agree that there’s always room for improvement. We should ensure TIF is used transparently and effectively, with clear guidelines on how funds are allocated and how projects are selected. This will help maximize the benefits for the entire community while addressing any concerns about its use.

In addition to TIF, I believe cities and towns should have the option to implement a local option tax. This would empower local governments to generate revenue tailored to their specific needs, whether that’s for infrastructure, public safety, or other critical services. A local option tax would provide flexibility and allow communities to take control of their own economic futures, reducing reliance on state funding.

By supporting both TIF and local option taxes, we can give Montana’s communities the tools they need to thrive and grow, while ensuring accountability and fairness in how those tools are used.

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?

To me it’s wild that Gianforte needed a “task force” to solve a crisis he created. However, I support adjusting the conversion rates that determine how much of a property’s appraised market value is translated to taxable value. Specifically, I back a proposal to dial down the conversion rate for primary residences while increasing it for homes that aren’t occupied full-time. This approach helps ensure that Montana homeowners who live in their properties year-round aren’t overly burdened by rising property taxes.

This adjustment would provide much-needed relief to residents facing skyrocketing property taxes, especially those on fixed incomes. At the same time, it addresses the impact of vacation homes and investment properties on our housing market and tax base.

By focusing on primary residences, we can protect Montanans who contribute to our communities daily, while still ensuring that those with second homes or investment properties contribute their fair share. This is a balanced solution that addresses the growing concern over property taxes while promoting fairness and equity in our tax system.