Regier plans run for Whitefish senate seat

Montana House Majority Leader Rep. Keith Regier has announced his campaign for the state Senate.

The Republican from Kalispell has reached his term limit after serving four consecutive legislative sessions representing House District 4 in the Bad Rock area. Now, he’s eying an open seat in Whitefish’s Senate District 3.

Republican Sen. Bruce Tutvedt has termed out after eight years representing District 3 — which includes the greater Whitefish area and the West Valley area.

Regier says the open seat presents an opportunity to continue to represent the Flathead Valley in Helena.

“I like knowing that the Flathead Valley has representation in Helena and I think I align myself with the philosophies of people in the Flathead,” he told the Pilot.

“Some of the things I didn’t accomplish I’d still like to work on.”

On top of that list is his efforts to lower state taxes.

Regier sponsored a bill in the last session that would have lowered state income tax rates. The bill was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock. He also sponsored a failed bill to lower state property tax mills.

Regier say the state’s budget surplus of more than $300 million is too high. That money should be put back in taxpayer’s pockets, he contends.

“We’re taking in plenty of money,” he said. “Let’s let the people keep some of that.”

The legislature adjourned this spring without passing a much-discussed infrastructure bill to fund projects across the state. Regier says the bill had the wrong priorities targeted, and pointed to proposals to fund a new Montana Historical Society museum in Helena at $25 million.

Instead, he said, the focus should be on upgrading aging water and sewer infrastructure across the state.

He also said it doesn’t make sense to borrow money for these project with a surplus on hand.

Regier was successful in helping pass bills in the 2015 session that stiffened penalties for DUI convictions.

“People are frustrated when they hear of someone having multiple DUIs and they’re still out there driving,” he said.

He worked on legislation that offers incentives to DUI offenders to enter treatment, such as WatCh, Montana’s in-prison DUI treatment program.

“It’s incentive to get people into a program and get cleaned up,” he said of the successful legislation.

Regier says his years in the House and as House Majority Leader have led to building strong relationships with fellow legislators.

“I do have rapport with them on both sides of the aisle,” he said. “I think I can parlay those relationships into positives for Whitefish and the West Valley.”