Last week, in our October 2nd issue, we posed 5 questions to local Montana state legislature candidates and published their responses. Regrettably, there was a mix up for the answers from House District 51 Republican candidate, Frank Fleming. Below is his full Q and A on the local hot topics for this year:
(1) Q: What has been your experience in business? Do you believe that you understand the problems faced by small businesses in Montana? What business experience do you currently have that will give support and input for the Montana Legislature if you are elected?
A: I worked for over 5 years for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry as manager of the Billings Job Service. I understand the problems faced by small businesses in Montana. I was chairman of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Billings Employer Committee. This committee met monthly with small business owners and their representatives. The objective of the committee was to find solutions to small business problems. The committee assisted small businesses with providing resources for securing startup funding. Other areas of help by the committee to small businesses included employee recruitment, hiring, job retention, employee pay scale, hiring discrimination, employee sexual harassment, employee turnover and marketing. I provided leadership in organizing the annual Billings Job Jamboree. This event is the single largest hiring event in Yellowstone County bringing together businesses and job seekers. I previously worked closely with the Billings Chamber of Commerce to bring new businesses to Billings. I personally met with owners and their representatives who were considering operating in Billings. I provided them detailed information on the local employment market. During the period of the Covid-19, I have worked with small businesses in Billings to navigate through the government regulation for available funding to keep their businesses afloat.
(2) Q: Should Montana change laws to reflect that the County Health Officer be an elected position? Do you have a better proposal for legislators to consider in the next Legislative session? Do you think the position should stay the same as is? And why?
A: I think Montana should change laws concerning the County Health Officer position. It is my position that the County Health Officer should not have the final say on emergency issues related to a county. This final decision-making authority should be made by our elected County Commissioners. I respect the position of the County Health Officer and would encourage their opinion be strongly considered in emergency situations.
(3) Q: How should legislators balance support for businesses that are struggling through no fault of their own, and curbing debt that will become a burden on taxpayers?
A: Small businesses are not a burden to taxpayers. They are the backbone to Montana’s economy. Many are struggling and going out of business because of Covid-19. We need the current governor to release business funding immediately to allocate all federal funds received. As a returning legislator I will work to curtail any government overreach in regulations that stifle small businesses. As a returning legislator I will not support increasing the state corporate tax rate.
(4) Q: Yellowstone County Commissioner Denis Pitman and former Commissioner Bill Kennedy are good examples of always being involved in the many community events either listening, participating or engaging in the local events/community meetings and/or local community gatherings. If you are an incumbent candidate, what REGULAR meetings did you attend and what do you have to show for them? If you are new as a candidate, how can our readers expect to see you out in the public as an elected official during your elected term and not just show up again next election season?
A: I have met with local officials to discuss State of Montana Department of Corrections inmates being housed for long periods of time at our local jails. It saves the State of Montana money but unnecessarily puts a cost burden on Yellowstone County residents. It is significantly cheaper for the Department of Corrections to house state inmates in local jails and this is the primary reason that this is being done. Related costs to the county budget for these inmates also include treatment, prescription drugs and medical services. I am a member of the 2019 legislative interim committee for law and justice. In this role I have urged the Montana Department of Corrections to work closely with Sheriffs, Jail Administrators, County Attorneys and County Commissioners to fix the problem of placing financial burden on counties for state inmates. They need to be moved out of county jails to the Montana State Prison at an accelerated pace. I have participated in community listening sessions such as MSU-B, Boys and Girls Club, Realtor’s Association, New Auto Dealer’s. These types of events allow me to gain a further understanding of what legislation is important to a particular group. I am readily available to my constituents by email, text and phone. I respond promptly to problems my constituents have related to dealings with the government. I fortunately have been able to help many of my constituents in dealing with problems related to government bureaucracy.
(5) Q: In what ways do you differ from your opponent in this general election?
A: The constituents of house district 51, have repeatedly told me throughout this campaign cycle that the top two priorities for them are public safety and jobs. These two areas are strength’s in what I bring to the legislature. I served a 28-year distinguished career in law enforcement. The last 7 years of employment I was the Chief United States Probation Officer for Montana. I supervised a staff of over 50 people and was responsible for over a 20-million-dollar budget. I provided leadership by being elected as state president of the Montana Correctional Association. I previously served on the executive board of Alternatives Inc. I know public safety issues and will fight to protect all Montanan’s. I previously served as manager of the Billings Job Service. I provided leadership in organizing the annual Jobs Jamboree. I served as chairman of Montana Department of Labor and Industry Billings Employer Committee. I have collaborated with the Billings Chamber of Commerce to bring new businesses to Billings. I know how to create and retain good paying jobs. My opponent does not have a level close to my experience in public safety, job creation and business dealings. I have lived in house district 51 for 15 years. My opponent has not lived in house district 51. I feel I have a greater understanding of issues facing HD51 than my opponent. The next legislative session will deal with difficult spending issues. We need experienced legislator’s like myself to deal with these difficulties, unlike my opponent who lacks legislative experience.
