State Auditor - Shane Morigeau

SHANE MORIGEAU (D)

• Represents MT-House District 95
• Current House Minority Whip
• Attorney for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes

Why did you decide to run for State Auditor?

Growing up in rural Ronan, Montana, I experienced first-hand how people in my family and community went uninsured or under-insured, without the protections they needed. People wouldn’t go to the doctor for fear of not knowing what to expect in their bill. I know this is a reality for many Montanans. This office offers a big opportunity to expand insurance coverage and improve the quality and affordability of healthcare coverage. I fought for Medicaid expansion both as an advocate and as a legislator, and we must build on access to healthcare and protections for people with preexisting conditions, not rip them away.  In the Montana State Legislature, I also worked to pass strict new protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. This bipartisan effort succeeded, but the only group to oppose this bill was the insurance industry. I saw that there really are special interests and big companies that put their corporate profits ahead of Montanans. Montanans deserve a strong consumer advocate who won’t parrot insurance company talking points and who will stand with the people of Montana, not with the special interests.

Why should MSU students vote for you? 

I grew up in our communities, I’m connected to Montana communities, and I take every effort to listen to our communities. I’m a practicing attorney and am well versed in issues of law and health insurance. I’ve heard from people across our state that access to healthcare and transparency in healthcare pricing are their top concerns, and I’ll work towards those goals. I’m in this to protect every Montanan from fraud. It’s time Montana has an independent voice fighting for them as Auditor, and my record shows I can bring Democrats and Republicans together to get good things done for Montana.

The Auditor’s office is also a Land Board seat, managing Montana’s over 5 million acres of state trust lands. Many of us live here because these public lands make Montana the Last Best Place, and I’ll oppose any backroom deals to sell away our public lands or block off access. Instead, I’ll work with landowners and with farmers and ranchers to open up landlocked acreage and increase access while always making sure our state trust schools are funded.

What is your top priority regarding higher education in the state of Montana?

My top priorities regarding education in Montana are that the state trust schools and institutions retain their funding from our state trust lands, and that Montana students are covered by fair, affordable health insurance that covers what it purports to cover. On the Land Board, I’ll balance traditional uses with recreational uses, and I’ll use my background in forestry and resource conservation to inform my management decisions. Montana’s recreation economy is a massive driver of jobs in our state, and I’ll make sure our schools are supported. And, instead of threatening to rip away healthcare coverage from people with preexisting conditions in the middle of a pandemic, I’ll work to improve and increase access to healthcare. I’ll fight to make sure students and people early in their careers have good options when it comes to healthcare coverage.

How do you plan to get insurance costs down for Montana residents? 

In the Montana State legislature, I worked on reinsurance legislation, which reduced costs Montanans pay for their healthcare coverage. I’ll always welcome new insurance providers to the state so Montanans have a robust pool to choose from, as long as their offerings adequately protect Montanans and provide meaningful, quality coverage. And, improved transparency would serve to cut some costs across the board, as consumers become more directly informed on what they are paying for. I’ll partner with our attorney general and work with Montana’s congressional delegation to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. And, I’ll use the licensing and regulatory powers of the office to study proposed rate changes with a fine-toothed comb and ensure they are based on data and facts before approving any rate change. The Auditor’s office is intended to protect the people of Montana, and I’ll be an independent voice who puts Montanans first.

In your own words, what is the role and responsibility of the Montana State Auditor?

The Montana State Auditor is Montana’s Commissioner of Insurance and Securities. This office regulates the insurance and investment industries, which are among Montana’s largest. Insurance affects people’s lives in deep and personal ways, whether it’s auto, health, business, renters, life, farm, or ranch. The responsibility of the Auditor ought to be protecting Montanans and ensuring they’re treated fairly-- cracking down on predatory junk insurance plans, defending protections for people with preexisting conditions, and defending our seniors, veterans, and students from fraud. The Auditor also is a vital Land Board seat, and should balance robust funding for Montana’s trust schools and the importance of our wild places and our recreation economy by always fighting to keep our public lands in public hands. Ultimately, our Auditor must be a consumer champion who will put Montanans first.