Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Letter to the Editor

Defending Knudsen

I am carrying a bill to proactively address an inexcusably high traffic fatality rate in Montana, and to reinvest in our road and bridge infrastructure at a level that minimizes the burden we leave for the next generation.

We have broad agreement on the problem we face with our infrastructure, but a lot of smart people disagree on how we go about addressing that problem. I am convinced that the only way we guarantee consistent funding, an ability to meet our match requirements for federal fuel tax dollars, to fund the highway patrol, and to provide adequate funds for city and county streets is to raise our current state fuel tax.

Every legislator was sent to Helena to represent their individual districts and to make their voices heard in these very important debates. We can have spirited debate and agree to disagree, but what we can’t do is resort to personal attacks and expect to be productive.

Speaker Knudsen has been accused of making some “false statements” in a recent Op Ed regarding the use of fuel tax dollars. Not only do I not support that claim, it has been my personal experience that he has served his district with distinction and honor.

What I assume Rep. Knudsen is suggesting, is that a fuel tax increase would relieve pressure on the general fund and that any new savings could feasibly be spent on two controversial buildings contained in the “bonding bill.” We are working hard in the Bridge and Road Safety Act to ensure the following continues to be reinforced:

That the Montana Constitution requires all fuel tax dollars be spent on roads and bridges (not parks, not tennis courts, not museums)

That fuel tax dollars will not flow to the general fund – they do not flow back and forth

Any savings in the general fund must be allocated by the Legislature, and only the Legislature would decide whether to allocate that money towards roads and bridges, or museums and university buildings

Rep. Knudsen and I agree that one of the Legislature’s priority this session is to find money for critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, water and sewer projects, and possibly K-12 schools. While we differ on the approach, I join the Speaker in recognizing improving infrastructure is critical to the success of our state.

I respect Rep. Knudsen’s opinion and his right and responsibility to represent his constituents, but I’m convinced that the long-term solution to our most pressing highway safety issues, and that the most reasonable way to leverage federal highway dollars to fix Montana’s broken roads and bridges from the Interstate down to the local curb and gutter, lies within HB 473.

By session’s end, I know we’ll agree more than we disagree, and know that we’ll all do what we earnestly believe is right to serve the best interests of the entire state of Montana. I’m pleased to serve with Speaker Knudsen in that effort.

- Rep. Frank Garner

House District 7

 

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