Taylor on the Issues

Taylor at Northern Ag Network Event
A LIVE statewide Radio Broadcast…on-stage with
Russell Nemetz at the Montana Stockgrowers Association Convention.
Following are some of the beliefs and positions that Taylor Brown supports and stands for. The basic principles that guide his core values are rock-solid, but as a professional news reporter, Taylor also believes that any thinking person must continually re-evaluate his positions on specific issues, especially as our personal knowledge and our world changes. Nobody ever has all the facts, or knows all the answers. Only those who choose to remain uninformed, or who are driven by an unwavering personal agenda, can safely say that their opinion will not change. See how your personal beliefs compare to Taylor’s, and don’t hesitate to let him know what you think!

CREATE AND GROW BETTER JOBS

  • We must push for environmentally responsible development of our natural resources to grow energy and good jobs. 
  • In the next few years, the average age of Montana residents will become the highest in the nation.  Not only will we gain a higher percentage of residents over 65 years of age, and a lower percent under 18 years, but we are going to see much different demands in the work force.  We’ll have to be aggressive in training Montana workers, and in attracting the right kind of employees to move here from out-of-state, such as those native Montanans who may have left the state in recent years when jobs were not so plentiful here.
  • We need to make it easier for companies who want to add jobs, to start up and expand.  We should look at how we can streamline permitting for building projects, to limit red tape and frivolous litigation delays.
  • Taylor does not support “Right to Work” Laws in Montana.  Our state has enjoyed a healthy balance between Union and non-Union workers, and it would be counterproductive now to undermine that balance.  Labor laws are generally suitable the way they are.  Our status as a Union Shop state has worked satisfactorily over the years, giving Union Members a fair place at the table.  Business needs to be profitable, but it can’t accomplish that without a productive labor force.

LOWER TAXES

  • Montana taxpayers are being overcharged, plain and simple.
  • Taylor supports meaningful, PERMANENT tax relief that will help Montana families pay for things like higher energy costs, and health care bills. The best tax policy is one that implements taxes that are low, simple, fair, and broad-based.
  • Economic opportunity and a stronger economy will make stronger families and small businesses.
  • Any changes in policy, should not result in a net percentage increase in Taxes or Fees.
  • Real Estate re-appraisal should not result in a general tax increase.
  • Just as we started doing several years ago, we should work to continue to reduce or eliminate Montana’s Business Equipment Tax and seek to avoid just shifting local taxes to homeowners.

PUBLIC ACCESS

  • Taylor believes hunting is a valuable tool in wildlife management, a positive use of natural resources, a Montana right, and a tradition that should be preserved.
  • Taylor supports Montana’s existing Stream Access laws. The 1985 Law was a very delicately-crafted balance that we have operated under ever since, and any changes must be considered just as carefully.
  • For over 20 years Montana’s “ordinary high water mark” access on streams “capable of recreational use” has allowed sportsmen in the state to enjoy one of the most expansive stream access laws in the nation.  Preserving and improving access will continue to require much cooperation and mutual respect between landowners and outdoorsmen.
  • Taylor strongly supports the legal rights of sportsmen and other members of the public to access our state and federal lands.  The law is very clear on this and needs to be enforced, so that public has appropriate access to public lands.
  • We need to protect the rights of Montanans to hunt and fish, while defending the private property rights of landowners.

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

  • The escalating cost of gasoline and diesel is punishing our weak economy, and millions of farmers, small businesses and families are struggling to cope.  In the next couple of years the increased price for electricity could have a profound effect on our economy.  In our nation, and around the world, the supply of energy is simply not keeping up with demand.  With our state’s potential for wind energy, biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, and coal…Montana could be a huge part of the solution to the nation’s energy challenge, but we have to get more aggressive about it.  
  • If America’s electricity demand is going to increase by 35% by the year 2030…then there has been far too much “lip service” about energy development and not enough action.  We need additional base power generation, and it will take a short term and a long term plan to address its increased cost.  In the long term, expanding renewable energy like wind and solar, and increasing our nuclear energy will all play a role.  The key though, may lie in unleashing American ingenuity and inventiveness to foster a new generation of clean and efficient energy alternatives.  To do that, we need to invest in research, and training skilled energy professionals; and we need to reduce overly burdensome regulation, to streamline the permitting process and get projects on line faster.  In the short term, we need to expand domestic oil and gas production, and focus on conservation, and researching cleaner ways to utilize coal.
  •  Let’s develop our existing resources using sound Best Management Practices and appropriate environmental stewardship, to create good-paying jobs and build our economy, so we can make some serious long-term investments in our infrastructure.

COAL DEVELOPMENT

  • In the long term, coal is probably not a big part of the answer to America’s energy challenge.  But in the short term, we simply can’t overlook that today around 50% of America’s electricity comes from coal.  A clean, quiet Electric Car is an impressive invention…but for now, we must face the fact that much of the electricity to run that car comes from coal.
  • We should commit to developing our natural resources like coal in an environmentally sound manner, and focus on increasing research, development, and demonstration of clean coal and possible carbon capture and sequestration technologies. 
Taylor Brown and his  Northern Ag Network team members like Kristi Pettis and Russell Nemetz, have covered Montana’s issues since 1979!
Taylor Brown and his staff at the Northern Broadcasting System have
covered Montana’s issues since 1979!

ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS

  • We need to encourage small businesses by cutting taxes and reducing regulation…especially those un-predictable regulations that stop investment and growth.
  • As the owner of his own small company for 25 years, Taylor feels that our legislature needs leaders who understand small business, who have signed both sides of a paycheck, and who know what it takes to grow jobs and an economy.
  • Reform the Workers Compensation Program to control cost and limit fraud injuries.  The cost of Workers Comp insurance is too high, and and hurts our state's competitive position to attract and keep businesses.
  • Many farmers, small businesses, and industry trade professions face a shortage of good employees.  The problem is going to get worse. In the next few years, the average age of Montana residents will become the highest in the nation.  Not only will we gain a higher percentage of residents over 65 years of age, and a lower percent under 18 years, but we are going to see much different demands in the work force.  We’ll have to be aggressive in training Montana workers, and in attracting the right kind of employees to move here from out-of-state, such as those native Montanans who may have left the state in recent years when jobs were not so plentiful here.
  • We need to make it easier for companies who want to start up, or to expand their businesses.  We should look at how we can streamline permitting for building projects, to limit red tape and frivolous litigation delays.

PERSONAL AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman
Helping eighth-graders understand the important
documents that define our freedoms
  • Protecting the rights of property owners is fundamental to the success of a free market economic system, and is an important cornerstone upon which our nation was founded.
  • A strong local economy depends on preserving the right of responsible individuals to freely own, use and transfer real property.
  • With almost every right in our society, comes a corresponding personal and ethical responsibility; yet we as a society must be very cautious not to be too quick to take personal rights way from individuals in the name of some perceived greater good. 

HEALTH CARE

Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman
Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of
Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman
  • We need to provide affordable Health Care in a market-based system.
  • We should work for tax deductibility of individual medical expenses.
  • We should look for ways to provide incentives for wellness and prevention.
  • Encourage meaningful tort reform to address the problem of trial lawyers who too often take advantage of the system, by initiating arguably frivolous mal-practice and injury lawsuits.

EDUCATION

  • Whether it is helping organize a local FFA Alumni association, raising money for scholarships, working to get a local mill levy passed, organizing volunteers to build a new high school stadium bleachers, sponsoring school activities, contributing each fall to a college Steer-a-Year program, or personally chairing the fundraising committee for MSU’s new Animal Bioscience building, Taylor Brown is widely recognized as one of the biggest supporters of education in our entire state.
  • Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman
    Lockwood 5th Graders enjoy reading and discussing
    American History with Senator Taylor Brown
  • As we develop a stronger economy, we need to invest more in education, research and technology so our kids will be able to find jobs in a workforce that is competitive tomorrow.
  • On the local level, Taylor believes that we need to empower local schools with more flexibility in education programs, and in local spending decisions.
  • We may want to consider re-defining the make-up and the accountability of Public Education, and direct that a higher percent of the dollars must be spent in the classroom. We’ve got to raise pay for our teachers to a competitive wage.
  • Taylor is a product of, and a strong advocate for, public schools and our Montana University system.
  • We need more emphasis on education that will address current job opportunities and workforce needs in Montana, such as in vocational trades, and craft skills.
  • Most schools have better high speed Internet bandwidth now, and we need to push for broader implementation of distance learning technology that could especially help our smaller schools with accreditation and Advanced Placement classes.
  • We need to focus on getting an equitable formula in place for School Funding.     

PRO-AGRICULTURE

    Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman

  • Taylor has been very involved in eastern Montana agriculture his whole life.  He grew up on the family ranch at Sand Springs and has owned livestock since he was 10 years old.
  • As a Farm Broadcaster since 1979, Taylor has studied and reported on ag issues of every kind for nearly 30 years.  He is well-known as one of our state’s strongest ag spokespersons, and a true advocate for the agricultural industry.
  • A strong supporter of growing the competitiveness of our number one industry through ag research and development, Taylor has most recently chaired the 4-year effort to raise $16 million to build the first-ever Animal and Range Science Building as part of a brand-new Animal Bioscience Complex at MSU.
  • Taylor is strong advocate for limited government, and strong individual and Private Property rights.
  • Arguably the strongest supporter of agricultural youth in our time, Taylor has encouraged and mentored countless young people through his years of involvement in 4-H, FFA, Montana Range Days, Alpha Gamma Rho, Young Farmers and Ranchers, the Montana Young Ag Leadership Conference, and many more ag youth organizations.

GUN RIGHTS

  • Taylor is a gun owner, and a long-time member and supporter of the National Rifle Association.
  • Reporting from China with USDA Secretary’s of Agriculture Ed Shafer and Dan Glickman
     2011 Senate Majority Leadership Team: (L-R)
    Sen. Chas Vincent (Libby) Whip,
    Sen. Jeff Essmann (Billings) Majority Leader,
    Sen. Jim Peterson (Buffalo) Senate President,
    Sen. Bruce Tutvedt (Kalispell) President Pro Tempore,
    Sen. Taylor Brown, (Huntley) Majority Whip.


  • The solution to violent crime is to enforce existing laws that punish criminals who use firearms and other weapons in the commission of crimes, not through taking away gun rights from individual citizens.
  • Taylor opposes firearm registration and state licensing of firearm owners.
  • Opposes legislation further restricting firearm sales by individuals at gun shows, and lawsuits suing firearm manufacturers for liability when one of their manufactured guns is used in commission of a crime.
  • Supports “worker protection” legislation that would allow law-abiding citizens to keep lawfully transported firearms locked in their personal vehicles while parked on publicly accessible, privately owned parking lots.