Election 2014: House District 33: Mike Lang

Born: Aug. 30 1949 Fort Belknap

High school graduation: Malta High School 1967

College: Studied at Carroll College, received a Bachelor of Sciene in business from Eastern Montana College in Billings in 1971

Military: none

Work: Farmed in Loring, worked for Conagra foods, in 1981 opened Northern Ag Service in Malta

Elected office: First-term state represtentative

Family: Wife, Lorna, three children, four grandchildren

Groups and organizations: Montana Ag Business, Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, Philco Economic Development, Montana Ag Business, Montana Grain Growers Association.

Rep. Mike Lang, R-Harlem, said he is running for re-election because, even though it is tough deciding on issues, tough pressing that button yes or no, he feels people have a responsibility to each other and to the government.

He referred to President John F. Kennedy's quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

"We all need to do that a little more," Lang said.

He faces first-term candidate Mike Finley, a North Havre Democrat, in the race for the seat in House District 33, that runs from Valley County to just outside of Havre in northeastern Hill County.

He worked on his family farm before going to work for Conagra Foods in 1978, then returned to Malta in 1981 and opened his own agricultural services business, Northern Ag Service, which he sold seven years ago to Milk River Cooperative.

Lang has been active in many community, agricultural and economic organizations over the years.

He wants to be, and for others to be, active in their government.

`"I just want everyone to partake in their state," he said. "Know the facts, put all the facts together before you make decisions, but make a decision. Nothing wrong about making a decision."

Why did you run?

Lang said he ran for office two years ago because he believes the government had gotten away from knowing and serving the needs of its citizens.

"We need to make sure that citizens are taken care of and our taxes are well-spent. and I want to change the apathy that Montanans have toward the state and federal government by being a good legislator," he said.

Why should people vote for you?

Lang said his experience, in farming, as a business owner signing paychecks, promoting agriculture, being active in his community, makes him a good candidate.

"I have a fair amount of water under my bridge," he said.

He said he also can work with people - he and his wife of 41 years, Lorna, don't always agree but they still get along - and his experience in the last session also will help him if elected.

And, he said, he will represent this area in the Legislature.

"I have the desire to do it I have the tie" to this region, he said.

Medicaid expansion

Lang said he opposes expanding eligibility for Medicaid. Right now, he said, Montana receives much more than it sends to the federal government, and that might not always happen. The proposal to begin with guarentees the federal government only helping pay the first two years.

"I am very insecure about our finances," he said. "Montanans have to be prepared for money not coming from federal government. ... That's why I voted against it the last session."

Thoughts on Early Edge Montana state-funded pre-kindergarten

Lang said he doesn't know much about the state-funded pre-kindergarten proposed by Gov. Steve Bullock, and won't say he supports it until he knows more.

"It's got to be looked at," he said.

But, Lang said, the teachers he knows from Havre, from Glasgow, from Harlem do not support the proposal.

"I would probably take their advice and not support it," he said.

State taking control of federal land

Lang said he does support the idea of the state government taking over federal land in Montana.

"I think it needs to be looked at from the standpoint that the federal government is out of control on their acquisition and how they take care of things," he said.

The state also makes much more off of its land than the federal government does - $10 for every $2, he said.

He said to move forward quickly would not be practical on a project as big as taking over federal land, but it needs to be looked at.

"it isn't going to happen overnight," he said. "It would probably be 10 years down the road if it did happen."

No texting while driving law

Lang said he is not opposed to a state law banning texting while driving.

While everyone wants to have their freedoms, "we all have to take some responsibility when we get behind the wheel."

Same sex marriage

Lang said he does not support allowing same-sex marriage.

"To my knowledge, God does not endorse that," he said.