Education
Raise teacher salaries.
Currently Montana has the lowest starting teacher salary in the nation. Every teacher should be able to afford to purchase a home in the community in which they teach. To retain excellent teachers, we must pay them enough to remain in Montana.
Invest in school infrastructure.
Most of the schools in rural Montana, including in District 18, are very old and in desperate need of upgrading. David will work to prioritize funding school buildings and maintenance so our students have the best learning environment possible.
Innovative educational models that provide better opportunities in high school.
Many students do not desire to go to college. We need more certified tradespeople to enter the local rural workforce, which will provide good paying jobs that can support a family and will give our children reason to stay in their communities. For college-bound students, encourage and improve dual-enrollment opportunities.
Greater investment in early childhood education.
Multiple studies have confirmed the benefit of early childhood education for both the child and the child's parents. Children who receive early education perform better in school, are more likely to graduate and enter the workforce. They are less likely to commit crimes and less likely to depend upon government services. Likewise, the child's parent is given greater freedom to return to the workforce, providing funds for the family and increasing the tax base.
Community Revitalization
Invest in local infrastructure.
Assisted living and skilled nursing centers are under constant pressure to find qualified employees in order to remain open and allow our elders to stay in their communities.
Montanans must cover long distances for work, school and to see family. Roads must must be maintained and improved throughout HD 18.
HD18 is home to many historic downtowns. Investing in and allowing these buildings to be repurposed for 21st century small businesses and activities will bring much needed revenue to our small communities.
Improve access to affordable housing.
Encourage construction of affordable housing types like duplexes and triplexes by partnering with local governments and contractors to access underutilized low-interest loan and grant programs.
Advocate for construction and rehabilitation of safe, affordable rental housing.
Invest in increased behavioral health services to support struggling families and reduce alcohol and drug abuse in our communities.
Local, evidence-based behavioral health services are both compassionate and cost-effective. Mental health and addiction medical care have the best outcomes when services are provided in patients' own communities, near their places of employment and families. This is absolutely essential to breaking the cycle of substance abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Bridging the Political Divide
As your Representative I will hold regular listening sessions throughout District 18 all year long and work to bring consensus among those with differing points of view.
As Representative, my work in the legislature would be consistently transparent with multiple lines of communication operating regularly. Your voice is important.
Create nonpartisan workgroups in every community of the District to facilitate open and safe discussion of local issues, problem-solving, and the development of ideas for potential legislation. These groups would work directly with their local governments, Representative and Senator.
Join the Movement
This campaign is far more than just an election, it's a new beginning. We hope to begin a movement of community members from all walks of life and political persuasion that will come together to identify common problems and determine real solutions that will improve the quality of life for those in our district. This coalition of individuals will always show respect for one another, carefully listening to opposing points of view and actively seek to understand one another's positions in order to find areas of common ground that can pave the way to real problem-solving that benefits all. It is our hope that this coalition will grow and endure for years to come to provide a means to end divisions and rebuild thoughtful, caring communities that will thrive. If this sounds interesting to you and you'd like to be a part, please email us and let us know that you would like to Join the Movement! We'll get right back to you to discuss next steps.
Vote for David Arends.
Paid for by the Campaign of David Arends for MT HD 18 Representative, PO Box 1006, Conrad, MT 59425.
Democratic Party
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