April 23, 2012

Mr. Fred Thomas

1004 South Burnt Fork Road
Stevensville, MT 59870

Dear Mr. Thomas,

Congratulations! You have been endorsed by the National Rifle Association – Political Victory Fund in your race for State Senate in District 45. Your strong support for the Second Amendment and working knowledge of the issues surrounding this most important debate are greatly appreciated. The endorsement is based on your long-standing record as a former State Representative and Senator, your clear pro-gun philosophy as indicated by your responses to the NRA candidate questionnaire and your membership in the National Rifle Association.

In contrast to your staunch support for the rights of Montana firearm owners, your opponent, Representative Gary MacLaren, has a poor record on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He voted against the NRA position on three of our four priority bills in the 2011 legislative session.

On issues of concern to NRA members and all law-abiding firearm owners, the distinction between you and your opponent in this race could not be any more evident. The choice is clear in the June 5th Primary: FRED THOMAS for STATE SENATE in District 45!

Sincerely,

Brian Judy
Montana State Liaison

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As a State Senator in the late 90’s, Fred rose to the top as Senate majority leader. Under his leadership, Montana saw its income tax rate drop from highest in the nation to 6.9%. Our budgets had surpluses. When Fred left the senate in 2004, our economy was churning and unemployment was near 4%.

Today, we have seen a shadowy turn for the worse. Ravalli County’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed to almost 10%. There has been a rapid rise in government power and reckless spending. Tax increases and regulations have stifled the Bitterroot economy.

This is not the Montana that we once knew.

It’s time for Ravalli County to have a true fiscal conservative take the wheel. It’s time for us to get back on the ‘right’ track. It’s time to elect Fred Thomas for Senate District 45.

Actions, as the proverb goes, speak louder than words. Fred Thomas—who I have known since high school in the 1970s—cares about our schools, and his legislative record proves it.

In 2003 when things looked bleakest for education funding, Fred used the power of his Senate Majority Leader office and worked with Senator Bob Story to develop an innovative funding proposal that benefits Montana schools to this day. Calculating inflation as part of the school budgeting process has been a critical factor in providing adequate funding for education ever since.

This was done with very little fanfare. Others took most of the credit. Fred Thomas—as a senator and as the unique individual he is—has never worried about credit. It’s all about getting the job done. Fred acted. Schools benefited.

Later Senator Thomas introduced and passed school technology legislation that included a rational, business-based approach. Further, in the early 2000’s he passed common sense bi-partisan legislation that more efficiently directed state land trust revenue directly to our schools that saved Montana schools from losing millions of dollars. Further, Fred’s leadership in helping  make Montana’s income tax code competitive, lead to hundreds of millions of new revenue each budget cycle being available to fund our schools. Our better funded, technology enriched schools are a tribute to Fred’s leadership and foresight.

These are but a few examples of what then Senator Fred Thomas did for schools while in the Montana Legislature. He balanced the needs of the schools with the needs of the taxpayer and did so with limited fanfare.

When it comes to education, Fred Thomas may not grandstand as others do. He doesn’t have to. Fred has a proven track record of supporting schools during the roughest of times. It would be an honor to see someone of Fred’s intelligence, integrity, and work ethic serving again in the Montana Legislature.

Dave Puyear,

Executive Director of the Montana Rural Education Association

Note: For the last 14 years Dave Puyear served as the Executive Director of the Montana Rural Education Association (MREA). Before that he served as a district superintendent of schools and teacher after graduating from the University of Montana. The above comments represent his personal views and are do not represent the position of any particular organization or group. This article was produced on personal time, using personal computer equipment.

Find the absentee ballot application here.

406-370-4001

1004 South Burnt Fork Road
Stevensville, Mt 59870