A vote for the continued support for 6-Mill Levy, (LR-128, SB-85) would again help keep our most precious natural resources, our children, from looking for lower educational costs out of state. Some would like you to believe that 6-Mill is a new tax and unnecessary. It is neither. It is a 70 year Montana tradition approved by voters every ten years without increase. There is strong bipartisan support including both current US Senators and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau.
Consider these facts. Nationally, student debt has exploded 131% in the last decade. Montana’s state colleges and universities received a substantial funding cut last year, while fees and living expenses went up. Without the passage of 6-Mill, students would have to pay up to 18% more in tuition after an increase of only 17% over the last decade.
In the next ten years, 25% of Montana’s workforce will retire. Within one year of graduation, 80% of Montana’s graduates work for Montana employers, while our students enrolled out-of-state have a tendency to work in that state. Higher education builds a strong workforce which in turn creates a strong economy while providing ongoing research in many areas including agriculture so vital to our area. We need to make sure Montana’s businesses and industries have the workforce to remain competitive locally and internationally.
Vote for 6-Mill and support our great colleges and universities while keeping our students instate. It just makes good Montana sense.
Letter submitted by:
Jesse and Connie Barnhart
1080 W. US Hwy 212
Broadus, MT 59317
Letter submitted by:
Jesse and Connie Barnhart
1080 W. US Hwy 212
Broadus, MT 59317
Cell: 406-853-1524 Please before 9 am or after 3;30 pm week days. Anytime is fine on the weekend.
Jesse and Connie Barnhart are longtime teachers and ranchers from southeast MT. Jesse is an appointed member of the Montana Board of Public Education.
Reader Comments(0)