Candidate Questionnaire: House District 66

Eric Matthews

(D) — House District 66

Why did you decide to run for office?

Matthews: I have been a teacher for 24 years. In that time, I have seen the ebb and flow of the political system on the education world, both good and bad. It feels to me that in recent years there has been far more bad than good, and not just for education. I am a proud Montanan and I believe we all deserve better than what we are getting from the elected officials who are making decisions for us. The working people that I talk to are feeling like the system doesn’t work for them and I think it should work for everyone. Running for office is one way I can make an impact and do more than just be frustrated.

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?

Matthews: The Montana constitution is being questioned and attacked by an extreme group of politicians. Our constitution is one of the best state constitutions. Our right to privacy and the right to a clean and healthful environment should be on every student’s radar as our state moves into the future. All of the Montanans I know love the outdoor activities in our state. From hunting to recreational boating and everything in between, we all want our public lands to be pristine, we want our air to be healthy for our kids, and we want water that we can drink. These things should not be taken for granted. Also, any erosion of our right to privacy has broad implications. Your medical records are yours; your personal data is yours. The government should not have the ability to search your home without a warrant and probable cause. I will support any action that upholds the rights we have outlined in our constitution and I will oppose any attempts to weaken them.

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

Matthews: Our transition to clean energy is critical to have any impact we can on climate change. I think the legislature needs to work to expedite the transition. Time is ticking and we have a responsibility to our future families to leave the planet in the best shape we can. It is disheartening that corporate profits are influencing the pace at which we move. Our climate health should come ahead of profit. The answers to our energy demands are not simple, but we need to be putting our efforts into clean energy. I'll support legislation that prioritizes speeding up the transition and providing businesses with opportunities to move in the right direction.

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

Matthews: This is another complicated topic with complicated solutions. I would love to see wages match the cost of living in Bozeman. I think strong wages are important for the housing issue. The supply of housing must also increase and we need to be strategic about that growth. Our workforce should not be forced to live 30 miles or more away from their workplace, or to live in campers anywhere in town they can. At the state level, one thing I think the legislature could do is reverse an existing law that restricts municipalities from requiring developers to include diverse housing options in their developments. Reversing this law would give back the ability for local municipalities like Bozeman to make the right decisions for the local community.

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

Matthews: Voting is a very personal decision. I would hope that MSU students, faculty and staff would vote for me because they have heard about me from someone who knows me. Knowing that probably isn’t going to happen, perhaps a bit of my story will help. I was born in Bozeman, graduated from Bozeman High and MSU, and my 24-year public service career (so far) as a teacher in the Bozeman School District, is a small glimpse into my commitment to this community. I have taught thousands of middle school students over the years and have watched a wide range of families raise children in this area. I have been involved in my local teacher’s union, bargaining contracts for educators and facilitating contract negotiations for support staff and that has given me a broad perspective. People want to work, people want to be respected for their work, people want to live a life that is honest and fair. Everyone deserves to work, afford to live in their community, have affordable healthcare, have a dignified retirement, and make decisions for themselves as they move through life. I don’t have all the answers to the issues that stand in the way of these things, but I have the voice to express our shared concerns and advocate for everyday Montanans.

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

Matthews: Bozeman is my hometown. I love it like I love my family. My connections are deep and my feelings are strong. I speak fondly of my town. I have seen it grow from a 6 stoplight downtown to what we see today. The beauty for me is in the people. Bozeman still has a community feeling. When town was smaller it felt like you knew most everyone, but even though we’re bigger (and I don’t know everyone), there is still the desire to connect. We are not as good as we used to be at being neighbors and friends, but I think we want to be. Like with family, there are Thanksgivings where the wheels fall off, but at the end of the day, family is family and we owe it to each other to take care of each other. Times change and we change with them. I would hope that my policy-making decisions will reflect my roots. We are all in this together and my hope is that my voice will represent all Montanans who want a better community for all Montanans.