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Vol. 19, No. 4
October 12, 2022
Grant pg. 8
Democrats, Republicans debate at political forum Sports pg. 13
Park
pg. 16
Story and Photos by Porter Counts for the Valley Journal
POLSON — On Oct. 3, all Democrat and Republican candidates from HD 12, HD 15, HD 93 and SD 8 were invited to participate in a political forum hosted by the Montecahto Club. Of the nine total candidates, five were able to attend the forum, with Jill Read presenting prepared answers for Linda Rekston (R-incumbent HD12) who was out with Covid. Moderated by Polson High AP government teacher Thomas Benson, many key issues were
presented to the candidates, along with additional questions from the audience for each candidate. The forum discussed community issues from the housing shortage to education to what should be done with the state’s current surplus. Benson started by asking the candidates about how they would address the housing shortage in Lake County and across the state. Joe Read (R-incumbent HD93) and Susan Webber (D-incumbent SD8) both agreed that state policy and zoning laws inhibit and discourage local communities from tak-
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ing effective action in providing more affordable housing. “Montana is 45th in income, but is the 11th fastest growing state in the nation,” Webber said. As the wealth gap increases, she continued, people get poorer and poorer and don’t have the opportunity to build a home or even seek family units.” Shirley Azzopardi (D-candidate HD93) went into more specifics, saying there needs to be a multi-pronged plan. “At the state level, the Multi Family Coal Trust Program could provide low interest loans to developers and contractors
who build affordable rental homes,” Azzopardi stated. “Second would be creating an additional housing trust fund with the revenue surplus to facilitate the construction or conversion of existing homes to affordable housing through tax credits. And at the county level, create and enact zoning laws that allow more high-density affordable housing.” All candidates agreed that something needs to be done to help the community become safely housed, particularly low income and young people.
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