Securing Montana’s FutureSecuring Montana’s Future

“It’s time to put the power back into your hands. Together we can jumpstart Montana’s economy, reduce taxes and recruit businesses from around the globe to Montana, creating jobs.

As a business owner I know what it’s like to create a job, balance a budget and make a payroll. As your governor, I will implement my comprehensive plan in order to create long term, well paying jobs.

My plan is straightforward, and I hope you will agree it’s time to make Montana #1 in the region.”

“It’s time to cut out the waste, duplication and inefficiency found in our state’s budget process.”

Make Montana’s Budget More Accountable

•Balance the budget.

•Use transparent, performance budgeting when planning the budget.

•Make our state agencies and the state government as a whole more results-oriented and hold each agency accountable.

•Refuse any temporary federal funds that will lead to permanent spending by Montanans.

•In real time, publicly list every state-issued check, vendor and contractor online.

•Open up the budget process to the people of Montana for their participation.

It’s Time for Much Needed Regulatory Reform

•Cap appeal bonds making Montana a more friendly business climate.

•Adjust tort judgment interests to the federal prime rate +1 percentage point which will attract outside businesses.

•Limit frivolous lawsuits by implementing tort reform.

•Lower workers’ compensation costs, reduce the time for insurers to accept or deny claims, and create a doctor pool for injured workers, which should provide over $100 million in savings.

•Focus on reducing Montana’s expensive energy costs.

“Montana has not been overly supportive of its business community, whether it be the family farmer, the midsize tourism company, or a large energy firm, and as governor I will change that.”

“As a businessman I know that one only spends what one makes, but some administrations have spent whatever they wanted, even when it was more than they took in, and it shouldn’t be that way.”

Reduce Government Spending

•Balance the budget without hidden costs, borrowed funds or tax increases.

•Create a bipartisan committee to propose the reduction of nonessential state expenditures.

•Veto costly and unnecessary “pork” projects.

•Privatize Montana’s liquor stores.

Reduce Montana’s Taxes

• Reduce personal taxes.

• Provide immediate property tax relief by capping property tax increases.

• Expand access to the Extended Property Tax Assistance program.

• Reduce the number of personal income tax brackets.

“It’s time to cut spending and provide tax relief for every Montanan.”

“Montana’s corporate income tax makes up a minimal portion of our state’s overall revenue and eliminating it would help make Montana a more competitive state.”

Eliminate Montana’s Business Income Tax Over 4 Years

•Phasing out Montana’s corporate income tax will have very little overall impact on Montana’s treasury, but will have a tremendous affect on businesses looking to possibly relocate to Montana.

•Eliminating this tax will send a message that Montana is open for business.

•Wyoming and South Dakota don’t currently have corporate income taxes.

Corporate Income Tax Rates (State and Federal Combined)

*MT new: new level under my plan

“Montanans can overcome any and all challenges with their innovation, passion and drive. We need to strengthen our agricultural base and our high tech zones, while preserving the natural beauty of our state.”

Make Montana #1 in the Region

•Build better relationships with other countries for the direct purchase of agricultural goods grown in and by Montanans .

•Proactively recruit businesses from across the U.S. and around the world to relocate to Montana, which would create more jobs.

•Create high tech zones throughout the state .

•Invest in a Montana Innovation Fund.

Montana’s Unemployment Rate

“Every child in Montana has a right to a quality public education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in today’s global economy.”

Educate Montana’s Youth

• Make Montana completely Wi-Max, providing long distance learning and education for everyone.

• Increase funding for K-12 schools.

• Authorize the establishment of public charter schools.

• Invest in university research facilities.

• Consolidate university satellite campuses.

• Create a world class veterinary school.

“Montana’s natural beauty is unique, and we need to find a balance between maintaining America’s last great open space in the continental United States and creating better energy opportunities.”

A Green Montana is a Better Montana

•Implement an energy policy that is based on rational resource utilization, capitalizing on Montana’s immense resources, but doing so in a way that is consistent with Montana’s agrarian values and stewardship of its lands .

•Create a permanent fund that sets aside a certain share of natural energy revenue to benefit current and future generations of Montanans.

•Develop natural gas in a safe, clean and sustainable way.

•Drill for oil.

•Push to ensure that 20% of Montana’s energy be derived from wind power by 2030.

A Healthy Montana is a Productive Montana

• Better Access, More Choices, Better Care Reduce Medicaid costs by moving Medicaid recipients into health plans run by managed care companies, move state employees to consumer-directed care and cap costs.

• Fully fund the “Healthy Montana Kids” program.

• Fully fund our comprehensive tobacco prevention program.

• Create a bipartisan commission to study how we can immunize every child.

“Let’s focus less on healthcare, and more on keeping Montanans healthy.”

Thank you for taking the time to read through my plan for securing Montana’s future.

Career politicians are not the answer and if they were they would have already solved our state’s problems. As a business owner I know what it takes to get ones fiscal house in order and my plan will get Montana’s house in order.

Let’s get to work.

www.neil2012.com

@neilforMT

406.438.2568Paid For by Neil 2012

804 Gilbert Street – Helena, MT - 59601