Securing infrastructure funds for the Hi-Line

When I ran to represent the City of Havre and northern Montana in the Legislature, I did it because of my strong belief in common sense solutions — so much so that I made it my campaign slogan. During my first term, I am proud to say that common sense solutions is what I delivered, and the reason I am asking the voters of House District 27 for a second term. I want to keep working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to find practical solutions to the many problems we face in Montana, especially here on the Hi-Line.

Even as a freshman representative, I was able to work cooperatively with legislators from every corner of Montana and from both parties to help secure significant investments from the State of Montana for Havre, Hill County and the region. As a member of the Appropriations Long Range Planning Subcommittee, I advocated successfully for state funding for infrastructure and other brick-and-mortar projects.

In short, I was in a position during the 2023 Legislature to assist in steering historic investments to our community and northern Montana. This funding, in part, includes the following projects:

• $26 million to rehabilitate the St. Mary-Milk River Project

• $625,000 for improvements to the Havre water system

• $25 million to construct the new, multi-use Aurora Complex at Montana State University-Northern

• $6.5 million for renovations and maintenance to existing buildings at MSU-Northern

• $359,672 for sidewalk improvements, handicap accessibility and security upgrades to Havre Beneath the Streets

• $2.8 million for a new Havre Field Office for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

These and other funds allocated during the last Legislature totaled more than $61.5 million for Havre and our area. Needless to say, I am incredibly proud to have been a partner in securing these dollars for projects that will benefit the residents of the Hi-Line for decades to come.

While water and sewer systems, bridges and new buildings may not be the most exciting projects to discuss, they are critical to the well-being of our state and its people and form a significant part of the foundation of Montana’s economy.

I am running for re-election to return to Helena in January to continue my work advocating for the needs of our community and to strengthen the bipartisan coalition I was part of that invested smartly in our infrastructure and our economy for today and future generations.

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Rep. Paul Tuss, D-Havre, serves Havre and Hill County in the Montana House of Representatives and is a member of the House Appropriations Long Range Planning Subcommittee.