Candidate touts state senate leadership
I am Sen. Bruce Tutvedt. It has been my honor to serve as your Montana state senator for Senate District 3. I live and play in Senate District 3. As a lifelong resident of SD 3, my address and phone number are in the phone book for all to see. I am proud to farm the land my father and grandfather farmed before me.
In the 2011 session, I was honored to be elected Senate President Pro Tem and chairman of the Senate Tax Committee. I always put the taxpayer first and advocate for a low, flat and fair tax system. No new taxes.
Jobs have always been my priority. I was the sponsor of the bill that cut your business and equipment taxes by 50 percent. For my efforts, I was honored with the Montana Chamber Champion of Business award.
I was the senate sponsor of Rep. Scott Reichner’s bill that cut employers work comp by more than 20 percent. I was honored to be part of the Republican leadership team that negotiated this 20 percent reduction with the governor.
The 2011 session Republicans were able to cut the general fund budget by more than $200 million, a more than 5 percent reduction. This took leadership and a great caucus. Your Republican legislators did this with a very partisan Democratic governor. The Republican legislative team’s effort to actually roll back government is something I am very proud of.
In the next session, your Republican legislative leadership team plans on having more than 40 jobs bills ready to go on day one of the 2013 session:
1) Pass legislation that will simplify the tax code and lower tax rates for both capital gains and property taxes.
2.) Pass legislation to expatiate natural resource development.
3.) Pass a medical malpractice tort reform package. My favorite tort reform bill will lower your health care costs by more than 5 percent by reducing defensive medical costs.
Thank you for giving me the honor to represent you in Helena. I ask for your vote in June and November.
Bruce Tutvedt, of Kalispell, is the incumbent Senate District 3 candidate.