HD66 candidate wants “common sense conservation”

By DANIEL PERSON Chronicle Staff Writer

John Milanovich’s vision for Montana is largely derived from his memories of growing up in Butte: a strong mining economy provided good paying jobs, while the nearby Big Hole valley provided ample room to enjoy the outdoors.

Milanovich, the only Republican running for House District 66 n currently represented by Democrat Mike Phillips n said he wants to bring back that “balance” to Montana’s economy by more aggressively pursuing natural resources, something he said could be done without ruining the outdoor amenities he grew up with.

“Montana is at this tipping point. What I remember is all these high paying jobs and outdoor life, [but] it’s becoming harder for the average Montanan to have that lifestyle,” he said recently.

District 66 covers central and western Bozeman. While the district is not expected to change party hands this year, Milanovich said he is running to “to represent the middle” in politics, a place he said both Democrats and Republicans are abandoning.

His number one issue, he said, is creating high paying jobs. While some politicians try to put a positive spin on Montana’s economy, it is not working for most of the state, he said, noting the state’s low ranking in per-capita income.

“We end up educating all the people and they move out of the state,” he said. “What are missing here are jobs that provide a good living.”

What jobs are being created are government jobs with big spending increases attached to them, he said.

He said he would lower property taxes and look at what other taxes and regulations could be reformed to improve Montana’s business climate. Milanovich is president of RightPSI, a Bozeman-based company that manufactures tire pressure gages. He said he has never run for office before.

Natural resource development, he said, shows strong promise in creating the high paying jobs he seeks, Milanovich said. While he admits he is not an expert in controversial energy issues like coal-bed methane extraction in Montana, he said one of his first tasks as a representative would be to meet with Wyoming officials to discuss what effects their mining has had on their economy and environment.

“I think we can have a middle of the road approach to extraction,” he said, noting his four years working for Trout Unlimited, including two years as chairman of the California Council for Trout Unlimited.

“The average person in Montana wants balanced leadership.”

Another Republican, Katrina Vernon, also filed to run against Phillips, but withdrew from the race.

Daniel Person can be reached at dperson@dailychronicle.com or 582-2665.

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