Many important issues coming before the Legislature

Nov. 8, 2016, the voters of House District 28 gave me a chance and sent me to Helena. During the campaign, my team and I knocked over 19,000 doors. We shared laughs and heartaches, but above all, we heard the stories of everyday Montanans. By the end of my campaign, it was clear that a few issues stood out.

I was elected to champion public education, mental health, public lands, and the development of our infrastructure. We are rapidly approaching midsession. I’m proud to report that my voting record has and will continue to reflect our community’s vision.

I have voted to fund our public schools, to protect our investments in special education, and make sure that schools have the money they need so that 19 year-olds can continue their education. I have advocated for online education, which bridges the gap between urban and rural schools. Finally, I have sponsored and co-sponsored two bills that make higher education more accessible.

During my conversations with voters, mental health became a fourth pillar of my campaign. The Hi-Line has seen too much suicide, addiction, and all around lack of support for those with mental health needs. This state, and this country, have either neglected or unjustly incarcerated a major portion of our population. We are talking about people who desperately want to be a part of society and the economy, but have been left behind.

I am proud to be co-sponsoring a bill that focusses on counseling and rehabilitation for our youngest members of society. We know through studies that for every dollar we put into prevention, we can save seven on incarceration. Outside of the Legislature, I am honored to be serving with Havre’s new chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I will also be supporting Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell on her bill that will revolutionize suicide prevention in our schools.

Protecting and increasing access to public lands was a major tenet of my campaign. Being born and raised in Montana, I was disappointed with the leadership in Montana on public lands. Our public lands are an important part of our heritage and critical to our economy. In the coming weeks, we will be seeing public lands bills coming before the legislature. I’m happy to report that I will be casting votes to keep public lands in public hands.

We will also be seeing House Bill 14 this week. HB 14 will bring much-needed relief to Hi-Line infrastructure needs. Most of the Hi-Line projects will be water related. However, HB 14 will also offer grant based options to solve other local needs. I will be voting for HB 14 and some sister bills to make critical investments for Havre and along the Hi-Line.

I am humbled to be representing Havre in the Montana Legislature. I truly hope that you all feel that I have effectively represented House District 28. As always, please feel to reach out to me at [email protected] or (406) 879-6427. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre