KTVQ: 'People cannot afford to live here': Gubernatorial challenger Ryan Busse talks property tax relief

Ryan and his wife Sara have two sons and live in Kalispell, Montana. 

Ryan was a senior sales executive at a major firearms company for more than 25 years. He wrote a book about his experience in the industry in 2021, titled “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America."

This is Ryan Busse's first time running for political office.

Montana Public Radio: Gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse outlines his policy goals

Daily Montanan: Democrat Busse outlines policy priorities in campaign for Montana governor

Believes that "corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes."

Opposes a statewide sales tax, which he says would disproportionately hurt working families.

Said he would invest more state dollars into affordable housing.

Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply and to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

- Believes that "corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes."
- Opposes a statewide sales tax, which he says would disproportionately hurt working families.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into affordable housing.
- Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply and to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

Economy

Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without public school oversight.

Aims to work closely with teachers to ensure fair pay, fair benefits, and safe working conditions.

Said he would invest more state dollars into public education.

- Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without public school oversight.
- Aims to work closely with teachers to ensure fair pay, fair benefits, and safe working conditions.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into public education.

Education

As of April 10, 2024, Ryan Busse’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

According to his website, "believes in majority rule, free and fair elections, and the right of all eligible citizens to vote without difficulty, confusion or harassment."

- According to his website, "believes in majority rule, free and fair elections, and the right of all eligible citizens to vote without difficulty, confusion or harassment."

Voting & Elections

Huffpost: An Ex-Gun Industry Executive — And Democrat — Looks To Become Montana’s Next Governor

Opposes gun industry marketing practices which he says "encourage violence and radicalization."

- Opposes gun industry marketing practices which he says "encourage violence and radicalization."
- Opposes open-carry laws.

Public Safety

Aims to uphold Montana's Constitution’s guaranteed right of a “clean and healthful environment.”

Opposes any effort to limit access to, privatize, or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

- Aims to uphold Montana's Constitution’s guaranteed right of a “clean and healthful environment.”
- Opposes any effort to limit access to, privatize, or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

Energy & the Environment

Pledges to keep Medicaid expansion in place.

- Supports abortion availability.
- Pledges to keep Medicaid expansion in place.

Healthcare

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Ryan Busse

Ryan was a senior sales executive at Kalispell, a major firearms company, for more than 25 years. He wrote a book about his experience in the industry in 2021, titled “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America."

Ryan spent more than 25 years as a senior sales executive of a major firearms company. He wrote a book about his experience in the industry in 2021, titled “Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America."

Ryan has not run for public office before. 

Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply, to veto any potential sales tax proposals in Montana, to keep Medicaid expansion in place, to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

- Believes that "corporations and the wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes."
- Opposes a statewide sales tax, which he says would disproportionately hurt working families.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into affordable housing.
- Pledged to send any rebate checks directly to homeowners rather than make them apply, to veto any potential sales tax proposals in Montana, to keep Medicaid expansion in place, to end Gianforte’s property tax task force and work on housing and tax solutions.

Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without Public School oversight.

Said he would invest more state dollars into public education. and affordable housing.

- Opposes using taxpayer money to fund private and religious charter schools without Public School oversight.
- Aims to work closely with teachers to ensure fair pay, fair benefits, and safe working conditions.
- Said he would invest more state dollars into public education. and affordable housing.

Opposes any effort to limit access, to privatize or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

- Aims to uphold Montana's Constitution’s guaranteed right of a “clean and healthful environment.”
- Opposes any effort to limit access, to privatize or sell public lands, or to transfer management of federal public lands to states.

- The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is tasked with faithfully carrying out the laws of the state. 
- The Governor prepares the annual state budget, meaning they recommend how money gets divided between various government divisions, such as police, education, healthcare, and roads. This budget must be approved by state lawmakers.
- The Governor has significant power over what laws get made in the state. They advocate for their legislative agenda. They also can veto legislation passed by the state legislature. 
- The Governor is elected for a four-year term, with a limit of 2 terms every 16 years.

The chief executive of the state, who plays a significant role in the laws made every year