Casey Schreiner in State of Montana Archives


On Families & Children: Understands living paycheck to paycheck

[On Mike Cooney announcing Schreiner as running mate]: "Montana families deserve folks fighting for them in Helena who knows first-hand the challenges they face. Elected Officials who understand living paycheck to paycheck, the impacts of student loans on a family, and what it is like to deal with medical costs and the impact they have on families," said Schreiner. "Montanans deserve folks in Government that understand the barriers they face everyday not just from reading about them, but from living them right by their side each and everyday."
Source: NBC Montana on 2020 Montana governor race Feb 28, 2020

On Crime: Reformed child sex abuse law, justice for Indigenous women

He was proud to lead during the legislative session that delivered crucial reforms to the statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes and gave law enforcement the tools to seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Education: For public preschool, better funding for public schools

Montana kids are successful when they have access to a good education. No matter where you come from or where you live, your kids should have access to quality education. As a former teacher, Casey knows firsthand the huge impact our teachers have on our children. Casey is on the frontlines advocating for public preschool, and he'll always fight for better funding for Montana's public schools.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Environment: Opposes sale of public lands to highest bidder

In Montana our public lands aren't just a way of life, they are a job creator and an economic engine for our state. Casey stood strong in the legislature to beat back attempts to transfer or sell off our public lands to the highest bidder. As governor, Casey will ensure Montana's public lands are here for our kids and grandkids, so they can appreciate the same Montana we know and love.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Health Care: Won reauthorization of Medicaid expansion

Casey is a champion for working families because he comes from one. As House Democratic Leader, Casey broke the logjam on reauthorizing Medicaid expansion and protecting health care for 1 in 10 Montanans, delivered a major infrastructure package that will break ground all across the state, and pushed for firefighter health and safety legislation that was 15 years in the making.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Health Care: Will fight to lower drug costs, take on big pharma

As Democratic Leader, Casey worked with both sides of the aisle to reauthorize Medicaid expansion, which threw a lifeline to rural Montana hospitals, supported small businesses, and protected the health care of 1 in 10 Montanans. Casey knows that Montanans are paying too much for their life-saving medicine. He'll fight non-stop to lower drug costs and take big pharmaceutical companies to task for price hikes.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Jobs: Spending on infrastructure will create jobs across state

Casey knows what it's like to struggle to find a job with a good-paying wage--his family has been there. In the legislature, Casey helped pass an infrastructure bill that will create jobs across the state, and he boosted trade school programs in Montana. As Work-Based Learning Director at the Department of Labor, Casey connects Montana's workforce with businesses in need. He knows what workers--and businesses--need to succeed.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CaseyForMontana.com Dec 31, 2019

On Environment: A fearless advocate for outdoor heritage

State Sen. Tom Jacobson is a Democrat representing District 11 in Great Falls: "I'm proud to announce I'm endorsing Casey Schreiner for governor. We have Casey to thank for never once backing down in the face of threats to our public lands. He grew up in a hunting family and is a fearless advocate for our state's outdoor heritage. Casey has a 100% voting record groups such as the Montana Sportsman Alliance because he understands access, fair chase and preserving our outdoor heritage."
Source: Daily Interlake on 2020 Montana gubernatorial endorsements Dec 22, 2019

On Budget & Economy: Shift education funding from local property tax

Schreiner said, "People want the education system to flourish and they want the kids who have the most needs to be taken care of and have the opportunity to be successful, but they are also kind of tired of people putting it on the backs of local property tax payers, so they would like to see the state play a larger role in how we help our school out rather than diverting those costs locally, which has happened year after year since I have been in the Legislature."
Source: Havre Daily News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Dec 17, 2019

On Education: Sees need for special needs funding as teacher and as parent

Schreiner said, "I am a special needs dad myself, I have two kids on the autism spectrum, and I'm in a unique position to be somebody who has been a teacher, but now I get to sit on the other side of the table as a parent. We need better funding. The state needs to prioritize that in their funding."

"It's harder to get across the finish line because that is actually increasing the budget (when) it should've been there from the beginning, so that's one place we are going to focus on."

Source: Havre Daily News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Dec 17, 2019

On Principles & Values: I live like an everyday Montanan

Schreiner said, "Part of the reason, I threw my hat into the ring to run for governor is I think Montana deserves a governor who knows what it is like to live like every native Montanan but by knowing how to live like an everyday Montanan... you have skin in the game."

Schreiner said. "Our family still has over $40,000 in student loan debt, our family still lives paycheck to paycheck to pay for those services that my kids need all the time."

Source: Havre Daily News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Dec 17, 2019

On Health Care: Choice between health or quality of life is "disgusting"

He said he lost his father a year ago due to complications from Type 2 diabetes. He added that his father, because of the high cost of his medicine, had to decide every day whether he was going to take his insulin or have the quality of life to be happy. "If you are making a decision between quality of life and quality of health, that's a disgusting choice that no Montanan should have to make," he said.
Source: Havre Daily News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Sep 20, 2019

On Energy & Oil: Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels over time

As we confront global climate change, Casey believes that we must reduce our reliance on fossil fuels over time through a combination of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and investment/development of clean and renewable energy sources. He believes that we can achieve this goal, sustain and provide good Montana jobs in the energy sector.
Source: 2020 Montana Lt.Governor campaign website SchreinerForMT.com Nov 1, 2018

On Families & Children: Equal opportunity for women in education & employment

Casey is committed to ensuring that every woman has the autonomy and the support she deserves to live the life she chooses with dignity, equality, and opportunity. He is committed to securing equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership for every woman and to ensuring safe, healthy, and nurturing environments for all women. To achieve these goals, women must have an equitable role, not only in determining local, state, and national policies, but also in allocating resources to meet the needs of families and communities.
Source: 2020 Montana Lt.Governor campaign website SchreinerForMT.com Nov 1, 2018

On Families & Children: Oppose needing written parental permission for sex education

HB 239: Define scope/boundaries of human sexuality/reproduction education K-12.

Analysis by Rewire.News: HB 239 would have required a school district to obtain written consent from a parent before instructing students in human sexuality education. HB 239 would have also prohibited school districts from allowing any abortion services provider from offering any materials at schools.

Veto message:The Montana Constitution vests supervision and control of our public schools in locally elected school boards. HB 239 would improvidently intrude upon the constitutional authority of the Board of Public Education and local boards. If parents are concerned about matters relating to the education of their children, they can and should address those concerns with their local school board.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 28-22-0 on Apr/8/13; Passed House 56-41-3 on Apr/13/13; State Rep. Casey Schreiner voted NO; Vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock on Apr/25/13

Source: Rewire.News on Montana legislative voting record HB 239 Apr 13, 2013

On Civil Rights: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

SB 107: To revise deviate sexual conduct laws.

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Casey Schreiner voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock o

Source: The Atlantic on Montana legislative voting record SB 107 Apr 10, 2013

On Abortion: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Casey Schreiner voted NO; Vetoed 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Mar 20, 2013

On Gun Control: Don't bar state enforcement of any federal semi-auto gun ban

HB 302: Prohibit state enforcement of any federal ban on semi-auto firearms/magazines

Analysis by Associated Press in The Missoulian, March 28, 2013: House Bill 302 was backed by gun advocates who argued the state should be ready in case Congress enacts a gun ban. But Bullock said in his veto message that it does not appear Congress will ban assault weapons, calling the bill "unnecessary political theater."

Veto Message : HB302 puts law enforcement in the position of violating laws they have sworn to uphold. Public safety officers take an oath to "enforce or apply all laws and regulations" and also to "work in unison with all legally authorized agencies" [including federal laws and agencies]. HB 302 would subject our peace officers to criminal sanctions for upholding their oath.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 28-21-1 on Mar/13/13; Passed House 62-35-3 on Mar/20/13; State Rep. Casey Schreiner voted NO; Vetoed by Gov. Bullock on Mar/28/13.

Source: A.P./The Missoulian on Montana voting record HB 302 Mar 20, 2013

The above quotations are from State of Montana Politicians: Archives.
Click here for other excerpts from State of Montana Politicians: Archives.
Click here for other excerpts by Casey Schreiner.
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021