State Legislature 2024: HD49-Rudolph Haden (D) - Billings Chamber of Commerce

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

Lowering taxes for the middle class/improving affordability. When you put more income into a middle-class family’s budget, not only does that family’s economic condition improve but also so does local businesses who will enjoy more business from those families.

Lowering crime/improving policing and penal system. When crime is rampant and laws not properly enforced, the safety of our communities suffer; not just in the short-term but also with long-term effects. Crime costs businesses income through vandalism, lack of customers, etc. Crime prevents new investment and businesses from building in our communities. If left unfettered, the narrative alone will cost untold amounts of money for business and investment.

Improving Education/Teacher pay/incentives and better schools. When children’s education improves, a community gains a new generation of skilled, capable and hardworking citizens who help businesses grow and prosper. Our kids must have the education they deserve and from teachers who are the best so that they can compete in the economy of state.

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?

The legislature should reduce as many “costs” that preclude a strong and vibrant business community. I believe this is part of a larger strategy to promote a successful business environment that brings safe, good paying jobs to Montanans. However, different Montana communities have varying interests in regard to what costs are required and which costs can be eliminated or drawn down. This is part of the conversation legislators like myself will need to account for before making any changes. While looking to reduce costs from a legislature’s perspective, we have to also take into account the differing interests. E.g., I see some communities, such as Billings that has the city council, infrastructure, labor market, and other elements that make the city a kind of “economic development area,” where costs of doing business should be greatly reduced, and even perhaps incentivized to get good jobs into Montana. But each city in Montana is unique, some more so than others. We’ll need to account for those differences when cutting costs.

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?

I want to find common ground with legislators regarding effective legislation that truly targets crime in our cities. We may all have differing ideologies on what creates an environment of crime, but I think we all understand the importance of dealing with crime effectively. A growing concern in our communities that we must counter for the sake of public safety is a lack of interest/connection between our neighbors and citizens. When we aren’t invested in the interests of our neighbors, communities begin to suffer from crime and poor business environment. I want to look at solutions that change that behavior, specifically involving the community leadership business owners can provide in helping find ways to involve youth in our communities through events, work and activities. I’d be interested in how we can link legislation to the business community in finding good solutions to counter crime and improve public safety. We can prevent and discipline criminal activity while promoting business interests in our schools and neighborhoods. These things together will move the needle on making our public areas safe.

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 don’t believe most Montanans would frame the results of the task force as a “Montana Miracle,” so I take issue with that as I walk around West Billings talking with voters. I don’t have to tell you that voters don’t attach anything miraculous to our current housing situation.

Having said this, the point of the task force is very appropriate. During my Navy Intelligence career, task forces were crucial in getting after important fact finding missions quickly and comprehensively. I really like focusing on some of the administrative tasks, as well as looking at how the state can provide a team of experts to help communities construct housing. Montana is a growing state and our government must be prepared to assist communities where demand for housing and business is growing. The administration around infrastructure and home building must improve to accommodate demand. Where technicians or other experts are needed to ensure a seamless and timely process, we should be facilitating that process. The governor was right in creating a “task force” to find solutions to the housing crisis in our state. I think most if not all their recommendations need action from the legislature, and if we can finally get relief to our citizens – preventing business talent from leaving our state – then THAT will be an achieved “Montana Miracle.”

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?

Yes. I’m generally in favor or reducing the tax burden on those who are working the hardest in the economy and providing the most benefit to the economy and workforce. We have a number of separate streams of funding – namely, marijuana tax and possible state / county sales tax – that can help the state fund essential public services while reducing taxes.

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?

Yes. Medicaid Expansion is a must for Montana. Our state with its uniqueness in size and rural lifestyle must ensure healthcare improvement is a number one focus for the government. I’d like to see the expansion go further in better accessing some of our most rural and vulnerable communities and tribal areas.

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?

They are an important and critical element for community growth and sustainability for so many municipalities in Montana. Where we can improve on the tax perhaps is in areas/communities where data suggests a type of “hyper interest” in development can make TIF’s less risky. We may then have an opportunity to maximize the community and business effects of TIF.

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?

This tax task force should have been exercised a long time ago! The fact that the state walked into this seemingly blind, is atrocious. We must improve PTAP and decrease veteran taxes for housing. This will have the warming effect of improving veteran access and quality of life in our state, while bringing in new veteran housing loans in addition to so many other benefits. I generally support caps on the household property tax burden at a percent of household income. I understand how values in our state have increased, but we must not make the mistake of simply placing the tax burden all at once at the feet of working-class Montanans. These are the folks who make our business environment vibrant. I want to work to increase the income in their pockets, because I KNOW they money they make has a better than 90% chance of improving our business environment.