Our View: Teacher pay a key issue at 69th session of Montana Legislature

On Monday, January 6, lawmakers convened at the State Capitol Building in Helena for the 69th session of the Montana State Legislature.

With the session, which will run until May 9, underway, elected officials will debate many important issues, including a few that we hope will receive the full attention of the Treasure State's governing body.

One issue of paramount concern not only in the Three Forks area but statewide is teacher pay and retention. Throughout the year, the Three Forks Voice spends a great deal of time covering the local school district. This allows us to see some amazing and hardworking educators in Three Forks.

The Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success (STARS) Act will be a key piece of legislation for school districts this session. This act would be a boon across the state, including in Three Forks, where teacher starting pay and retention are of great concern.

We hope lawmakers will fully consider this act, which would significantly increase Quality Educator Payments while boosting starting pay.

Montana has great teachers and great school districts. The legislature must do everything it can to keep them in the state. There are too many unfortunate stories of people having to leave the district and state they love because they can't afford to live, and this issue needs to be fixed.

Along with focusing on education, we hope this session can explore the key issues of affordable housing and lowering property taxes.

These are undoubtedly complex issues that should be of supreme importance to legislators throughout the session. While there certainly aren't easy answers to either, much time needs to be spent trying to figure out a way to lessen the financial burdens and stains that many Montanans face.

Montana is a wonderful state, but rising property taxes and the cost of living are huge issues that need to be addressed from day one.

In any session of the legislature, there are always going to be "tentpole"-type issues or bills that grab headlines statewide. While some of these issues will need to be addressed, it's important not to lose sight of the larger issues the state is facing.

Over the next few months, there will be plenty of positive stories coming from Helena, let's hope that teacher pay and retention, housing, and property taxes are at the top of the list.