I will now address a few of these key issues important to the Montana Democratic Party. Montana Democrats advocate policies that make it financially possible to sustain family oriented agriculture through improved trade policies, value added enterprises, market promotion, fair availability of credit, and reasonable transportation costs. The party also advocates the creation of a permanent safety net to help farmers weather times of crisis. Clearly, agricultural issues are the priority of the states Democrats and citizens. Public education is the basis for life long learning and is essential in the worlds growing global, and technology driven economy.
Public education depends on a strong partnership among parents, children, communities and schools.
Montana Democrats believe that public funds should be used only for public schools and are against any voucher programs which would subsidize parents for sending children to private schools. Schools should be controlled by and be fiscally and academically responsible to their communities. The post secondary educational system should not be limited to ability to pay. Montana Democrats believe that education needs to be a higher priority at all government levels. The party advocates smaller class sizes and improved teacher training.