Budget is the buzz word for incumbent Rep. Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell, while Democratic challenger JoLynn Yenne is focusing on education in the House District 9 race.

Brodehl, who currently represents House District 7, is seeking a third term, but redistricting has moved him to District 9, which includes the area north and east of downtown Kalispell and the Evergreen area.

Brodehl said he will concentrate primarily on the budget.

“We need to get it under control,” he said. “The budget and the money there belongs to the people of the state.” He said he did not support the budget increase last year.

Yenne was appointed to challenge Brodehl to replace Diane Taylor, who was selected by the local Democratic Party to oppose Republican Mark Blasdel in the Senate District 4 race.

Yenne will concentrate her efforts on public education as well as easy access for women to preventative birth control. She said she decided to run because she believes in participating in government and is concerned about the future of the state.  

Brodehl said he will vote no on any push to expand the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.

“It’s a simple choice,” Brodehl said. He believes that people have the ability to be responsible for their own risks. According to Brodehl, many of those without sufficient health care are men who are able to work. He does not believe people should have to pay for their neighbors’ health care.

In contrast, Yenne believes the Medicaid program should expand to cover the 70,000 families in need in Montana. However, she believes that the program is a temporary safety net.

“The reason we need better coverage is because many families who work part time don’t have the resources to afford health care,” she said. “This program would create thousands of jobs, which will eventually decrease the need for Medicaid.”

This year, the state is expected to have a large cash reserve as the next legislative session approaches.

Yenne believes this money should be invested into the state’s infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, water lines, and energy efficiency in state buildings. She said such investments will create more jobs in the long run, and benefit the economy as a whole.

Brodehl believes this money should go directly back to the taxpayers.

“Write them a check,” he said. “We over-tax the people anyway. We should give that money back to them.”

Brodehl said he believes that federally managed forest lands in Montana should come under state ownership. According to Brodehl, the Constitution states that the forests are state property, but should be cared for by the federal government until the time that the state is able to take them over.

However, Brodehl said the federal lands cannot be “dumped overnight” on the state. Instead, he believes the transfer should happen slowly over time. To pay for the new lands, taxes paid by Montana residents that originally went to the federal government should be transferred to the state.

Yenne said she is against the transfer of land ownership.

“We have been the envy of every other country with our ability to use federal lands,” she said. “I’m sorry to see that there’s a movement to give that up.”

Brodehl will vote no on the proposed water compact involving the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He said the treaty is originally between the United States and the tribes, and should be left between those two entities. He sees no reason for the state to get involved. According to Brodehl, the compact will force the state to pay up to $50 million up front to the tribes, and will have to continue to pay each year.

“There is no reason to give water rights away,” Brodehl said. “The state currently owns those. Why would we give them away?”

In contrast, Yenne believes the compact would be a positive step, and that water would be best managed by those living in the area.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.