Michele's vision

Skyrocketing costs are driving families and young people out of Ravalli County. From soaring home prices to property taxes that have doubled, many of us can no longer afford the American Dream. My own sons had to leave Ravalli County because they couldn’t afford even a starter home. I am committed to finding solutions to make Ravalli County affordable, from lowering property taxes to increasing the share of affordable housing and lowering the cost of healthcare. Montanans are down-to-earth, hardworking people. They aren’t trying to take advantage of the system, but we need the system to work for us, not the other way around.

I believe we have a constitutional obligation to teach our children, but parents need to have a say in how their children are educated. We needed flexibility and more options for families whose children have unique needs. I’m interested in passing constitutional education reform, not sound bites. Communities in Ravalli County have benefited from new charter schools that give families more education freedom without draining our public schools of resources.

I was honored to serve on Montana’s Mental Health Commission where legislators and advocates came together to find solutions to the challenges facing mental health support in Montana. Our recommendations came in under budget, focused on expanding mobile crisis services, reopening crisis clinics and participating in a federal program to expand mental health services through private providers. Mental health struggles touch every family in Montana, and I will continue to seek ways to strengthen our mental health services so that all Montanans can live safe, secure lives. 

“I was proud to fight for Ravalli County when I served on House Appropriations. I secured funding for victim services, directly supporting the SAFE facility in Hamilton.”

The government has a role to play in making day-to-day life in Montana safe and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive. But too much government, and too little accountability, stifles the constitutional freedoms we hold dear. The government exists to serve the people, not control our lives. I will fight for more limited government and greater accountability so individuals have the final say in how to live their lives, not the government.