Housing
Missoulians deserve access to safe and affordable housing. But regular folks are being squeezed out of the market and cannot plant roots in the community when housing production doesn't keep up with demand. While Missoula's new Unified Development Code is a major step in the right direction to ensure a healthy housing supply, Council must continue to work to cut unnecessary red tape preventing new homes from breaking ground. Going forward, smart planning and streamlined permitting is crucial to creating livable, walkable neighborhoods with good infrastructure and access to parks, schools, jobs, and trails.
Transportation
Getting around Missoula should be easy and safe. Achieving that goal means prioritizing new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. It also means building complete streets that separate uses and help ensure everyone can get where they need to go whether they're driving, biking, walking, or riding the bus. Even small steps, like funding crosswalks and neighborhood roundabouts can have a major, positive impact on quality of life in Missoula.
Public Safety
Everyone, no matter who they are, should feel safe in Missoula. Ensuring emergency services are well-funded and active throughout the community is essential to achieving that level of safety.
Fiscal Responsibility
It's City Council's duty to efficiently manage taxpayer money - I take that responsibility seriously. To the greatest extent possible, Council should focus on delivering high quality core services while keeping property tax growth minimal, if not flat. I am particularly skeptical of public spending on studies and consultants.
AI
I do not, and will not, use generative AI in any capacity. Council policy should forbid the use of generative AI in correspondence, speeches, or presentations. I support a mortorium on data centers within city limits while Council drafts evidence-based regulations to protect Missoulians' constitutional right to a clean and healthful evnironemnt.