HOUSE DISTRICT 53
Dennis Lenz - R Age: 62 Occupation: Self-employed farmer Family: Wife, Deanna; daughter, Danae and son Dustin Education: Texas Christian University certificate in ranch management; Yellowstone Valley
Bible Institute certificate in pastoral studies; licensed crop insurance adjuster; licensed emergency medical technician Past employment: Farmer 1987 to present; fire captain City of Billings Fire Department 1989 to 2014; crop insurance adjuster 2018 to present Past political experience: Montana State Representative 2013 to 2014, 2017 to present; Montana House of Representatives, sergeant-at arms 2015 to 2016 Online campaign info: Email: lenz4legislature@outlook.com Address: P.O. Box 20752, Billings, Montana, 59104 Phone: 406-671-7052 Oftentimes, after a largescale shooting, it is revealed that the mental health issues of the shooter were very evident to law enforcement and others prior to the incident. There seems to be a reluctance to address these issues, which leads to a lack of treatment and allows the shooter
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a legal pathway to obtaining firearms. My bill, HB 381, requires school districts to have a suicide response and prevention plan in place, and has had a positive response. The current open discussions about suicide can serve as a catalyst to break through the reluctance to talk about mental health. There is an ebb and flow to state revenue. But, this was anticipated by the legislature in the budget projections. The current budget is in line with those projections. The special session that was called by Governor Bullock was completely unnecessary, since the executive branch has many options at their disposal in order to deal with temporary budget changes. Instead, the governor hoped to put the legislature in a false crisis in order to raise taxes. So, while incurring the cost of an unneeded special session, Governor Bullock also made additional major cuts to programs for our poor and disabled.
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from people, or one that limits the use of the guns, but one that is responsible and fair. I believe in the Second Amendment and a Montanan’s rights to bear arms. However, we have one of the highest rates of suicide in the state, often completed with firearms. We need to examine how we can have sensible gun legislation that protects life and liberty. I believe the 2019 legislature needs to examine areas to make our state better. Cutting public services a will lead to higher cost down the road—making life difficult for our most vulnerable populations. We need to provide care for people with disabilities, the elderly, mentally ill and children. If we do not our hospital bills will increase as those who need essential medical/mental health services will be utilizing our ER services in greater frequency, often without an ability to pay. As a legislator it is my obligation to ensure we are being fiscally conser-
vative with our budget and funds. Critical and comprehensive infrastructure is essential for Montana to be a great place to live and work. We cannot do it from bonds exclusively nor can we do it from cash exclusively. Just as one has to pay cash for a down payment and take out a mortgage to buy a home we must do the same for our state projects. The funding could come from non traditional sources such as partnerships, grants, bonds, and even a potential infrastructure bank to help fund building needs on University Campuses. However, we cannot let our focus of urban towns blind us from the needs of our rural neighbors. I believe the Medicaid Expansion program is essential to providing care for those who need it the most. I support using a tobacco tax to fund this program as well. Working as a mental health advocate I was able to see first hand how medicaid expansion
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There is no struggle to pass infrastructure bills in the Montana legislature. The Montana legislature passed millions in infrastructure money during the 2017 session: roads and highways- 900 million, long-range building – 136 million, renewable resource grants – 3 million, reclamation and development grants – 5 million, and treasure state endowment- 30 million. Any struggle has been to get 2/3 of the legislature to agree to borrowing additional money in order to spend even more money not in the budget. Where would that funding come from? From hard working Montanans, as always! Medicaid was designed for the most needy - children, families and the disabled. “Medicaid expansion” has expanded that coverage to non-employed adults who are able to work. These 48,000 expansion individuals have no restrictions on these benefits, such as drug testing, work requirements or asset testing.
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You could have millions in assets, but be on Medicaid because you show no income. The increasing costs to the state are staggering. 2015 fiscal estimates were 27 million, but current actual costs to the state are close to 90 million. Unrestricted expansion will kill Medicaid and hurt those who need it most. House District 53 has a great urban/rural mix. From north small-town Laurel to the western edge of big-city Billings, with farm land in between. It is a district that is full of independent, hard-working individuals who enjoy the freedom of living outside of the main city. As such, they are often also opposed to big government intrusions, like the local option tax that was proposed by many business and political executives from Billings. I will respect that position to help them grow our economy and produce the products that contribute to Billings as the outstanding business center of the state.
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HOUSE DISTRICT 53
Clementine Lindley - D Age: 39 Occupation: Entrepreneur/ small business owner Family: Husband, Andrew Lindley, three children, Isaiah, Aidrian, Tessa Education: Bachelor’s degree
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liberal studies from Seattle University; master’s degree peace and conflict studies focusing on mediation from University of Ulster Past employment: Program support coordinator, Northern Plains Resource Council; executive director, NAMI Billings Past political experience: Assistant sergeant at arms for the 2005 Senate; campaign volunteer; chari of Children’s Trust Fund; vice chair of Institute for Peace Studies at Rocky Mountain College; liaison of Students for ASUU. Online campaign info: Facebook: facebook.com/clementinehd53 Website: www.clementinehd53.com clementinehd53@ Email: gmail.com Address: 48 30th Street West, Billings, not in the district Phone: 406-459-0636 Yes the Legislature needs to address gun violence. Not in a way that removes gun ownership
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October 2018 | VOTER GUIDE
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was money well spent. It helped some of the states sickest patients receive treatment that was previously not available to them. And countless studies have shown that taking care of people when they are well is a huge cost savings as opposed to treating people when they are ill. As I have knocked doors in HD 53 I have discovered there is concern about our employment situation here in Billings. Many of my potential constituents are business owners and are concerned with the direction we are going to fund Montana’s programs. They see Montana as a great place to live and work yet are finding it difficult to find quality employees who can do the work, or have found that they are losing revenue by having to replace an ever changing workforce. I believe that as a legislator we can work to focus on things like trades, apprenticeships, and certification programs.
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