Candidate Questionnaire: House District 63

Alice Buckley

(D) — House District 63

Catherine Purcell

(R) — House District 63

Why did you decide to run for office?

Purcell: I decided to run for office because I thought it would be a unique way to serve my community and continue being an advocate for Montana families. I want to use my experience in early childhood and the mental health field to push for family needs in the legislature.

Buckley: I ran for office because I was tired of watching politicians waste time on divisive rhetoric and political stunts without tackling issues that actually make a difference for our community. We need affordable places to live, jobs that pay a living wage, healthcare, mental healthcare, and reproductive care. I’m running for re-election because I made a promise to my constituents that I would work to create a better future for all of us in Bozeman and we still have much work to do in moving towards that vision.

What do you think is the biggest issue MSU students should have on their radar? What state action would you support to address that issue?

Purcell: I think the biggest issue MSU students should have on their radar is the housing supply and affordability. Like my other constituents, I want to continue looking at unnecessary zoning regulations and support bills on building regulations and development. This is a big issue that needs to be dealt with quickly and we need to work with local leaders to find a solution.

Buckley: Our constitutional right to privacy is on the line this election cycle and next legislative session. Montanans have a right to privacy embedded in our constitution, which means we have the right to make our own decisions about medical care, to love who we love, to raise our families in the way we want to, and, among other things, have access to full reproductive care. There are politicians in the state who are intent on taking our right to privacy out of the constitution, specifically our right for abortion access, even though Montana is now the only state in the region with reproductive care. It is so, so important for MSU students to pay attention to which politicians are advocating for them and which ones are trying to take away their freedom, rights, and autonomy.

What steps should the legislature take to address climate change and mitigate its impact on Montanans?

Purcell: I support Governor Gianforte’s actions and beliefs on climate change with mitigating its impact through innovation and entrepreneurship, not increased government regulation.

Buckley: The legislature needs to step up and take action to address climate change and mitigate its impact on Montanans and our landscape. It is the most urgent challenge of our times. There are myriad ways we could and should address this – incentivizing the development of wind and solar energy, community-scale energy generation projects, expanding the existing C-PACE program and building out electric vehicle infrastructure. Most importantly, we need to advocate for environmental justice as the foundation for any climate change legislation and initiatives.

What action would you support to make housing more affordable in Bozeman?

Purcell: Like I have stated before, I would support bills on building regulations and development and continue looking at unnecessary zoning regulations. I would also like to work more closely with local leaders to find a solution.

Buckley: Increasing access to affordable housing is one of my top policy priorities and the most pressing issue for my constituents. I will support every bill that increases access to affordable housing and supports my constituents in creating a livable future in Bozeman. Specifically, I am working on two pieces of legislation: the first increasing fees on short term rentals and uses that funding to support local investment in affordable housing; the second takes funds that the state is currently using for out-of-state tourism dollars to fund affordable housing development.

Why should MSU students, faculty and staff vote for you?

Purcell: MSU students, faculty and staff should vote for me because I am a modern candidate that they can relate to in several ways, one being I am a student myself. Being a student, I believe I represent and understand the values of education. I am also a teacher who works with many families within my community therefore I know exactly the needs that are not being met. The Montana family is what is at stake and that is what my focus is. My platform will also support students, faculty and staff by increased mental health care and childcare reform.

Buckley: It is a complete privilege and honor to represent the MSU and the school’s students, faculty, and staff. This is the best district in the state – it is the youngest district, it is full of students, renters, and young families – everyone is invested in a future in Bozeman works for them. The residents of this district and their futures are at the heart of my work in the legislature because I am invested in the same outcomes for myself and my family as a young person wanting to create my own future here in Bozeman. I think I have done a great job of advocating on behalf of our community and bringing the voices and needs of my constituents to Helena. I can’t wait to keep doing work on your behalf.

What do you love about Bozeman? How would that reflect in your policy-making decisions?

Purcell: I love Bozeman’s sense of community and home-like feeling. I am constantly inspired by the wonderful people that I have met so far and of course Montana’s natural beauty. I considered myself an active member of my community and want to continue to grow with it. I am very passionate about being able to serve and support families and that passion will reflect in my policy making decisions. It starts with investing in our education system, increasing access to high quality childcare and increasing mental health resources. It is important to re-engage as a community and normalize these issues. My goal is to bring these challenges that Montana families face to light and create real change. Like I stated before, I genuinely love the Gallatin County area and the people who live here. Ever since I was a child, I fell in love with Montana visiting my family ranch in the summer where I always have felt at home.

Buckley: I love Bozeman’s vibrant and invested community. Bozeman has felt like home to me in a way no other place has. When I think about why it feels like home, it is the mountains and rivers and the place-based sense of belonging, but also a community that comes together to support each other and care for one another. This means that I am centering my policy-making decisions on building and supporting a future in Bozeman that is inclusive, livable, just, and resilient. I support policies that create affordable housing, allow young people and young families to live in Bozeman long-term, support jobs that pay a living wage, good healthcare and mental healthcare, and think about good decisions not just for this generation but for the next seven generations.