Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

Montana Democrats are traveling around the state gathering ideas about how to create jobs, their most recent stop landed them in Helena.

It was a crowded room at Hometown Helena as three Democratic legislators listened: Representative Chuck Hunter (Helena), Representative Betsy Hands (Missoula) and Representative Tony Belcourt (Box Elder).

"We're are hoping to gather as many ideas from you about what you think would help stimulate job creation in the State of Montana, what barriers you see in your own locations, what things have worked for you because there are some things that are working in the State of Montana," Hunter says.

Hunter says they've traveled all over Montana and one theme is constant.

"People are generally wanting more jobs in their communities. They are seeking ways to make that happen," Hunter says.

Helena residents agree.

They say they need more workforce development programs so workers are qualified to apply for jobs.

Some say they want the two and four year universities to partner with private business so students have jobs when they graduate.

Others want access to low interest loans so they can expand their businesses.

Residents say want regulatory certainty so they aren't having to change the way they do business every time the Legislature convenes.

Helena residents were also very concerned about state workers not getting a raise.

Republican Senator Dave Lewis (Helena) says if you go outside the Helena area people aren't as concerned with state pay as they are in town.

"We recognize while the economy is modestly improving, we still have a ways to go particularly in terms of job creation in the State of Montana," Hunter adds.

The Democrats will take these ideas and put together a package of bills which they will use as the foundation for their campaign cycle.

Lewis says the Legislature will have to look at how much these job creation proposals cost and weigh each of them individually.

"The projection is that we are going to have as much as half a billion dollar General Fund balance. But a lot of that money is one time money, money that is not going to come back every year. So we have to be very very careful with how we approach what to do with that will help us again accomplish our objective of jobs, jobs, jobs," Lewis says.

Lewis says Republicans will give every job creating proposal a fair hearing and opportunity to pass.