Some consensus on economic incentives expressed by Montana Legislature Candidates

There was some consensus on certain aspects of economic development incentives but some disagreement as to how far the state should go in changing its tax structure or providing other incentives to help develop business during a legislative candidate forum Thursday in Missoula.

The forum was sponsored jointly by the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and the Missoula Area Economic Development Council and took place at the MonTEC Building.

The participating candidates were from Montana House Districts 91 through 95 and Senate District 48. Democrat Robin Hamilton, HD92, and Republicans Kevin Blackler, HD95, and Monique Simone Cratty, SD48, were unable to attend.
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Participating were Democrats Kevin Furey (HD91), Ron Erickson (HD93), Dave McAlpin (HD94), Diane Sands (HD95) and Carolyn Squires (SD48), and Republicans Tom Opre (HD91), Walter Hill (HD92), Denise Moore (HD93) and Phil Barney (HD94).

Candidates from both parties seemed to agree that – if tax and other incentives are to be provided to new and expanding businesses – there need to be criteria those businesses must meet to earn those incentives. Criteria might include employee health insurance, guaranteeing a certain number of jobs and paying a “living wage.”

BILL SCHWANKE/Missoulian.com

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/08/17/web/webnews/wnews30.txt