Roy Handley

Roy Handley earned a high school diploma from Hellgate High School and an associate degree from Casper College in 1986. His career experience includes working as a business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My slogan: "PRACTICAL, NOT POLITICAL". I was born in Missoula County and have lived on a ranch near Clinton, MT all my life. As a business owner, rancher, and father of 2 (grandparent of 3), I have first-hand experience of what Montana businesses and families face. Although running as a Republican, I want to seek the best solutions from many people. I owned and operated a cattle ranch and a school bus transportation company for 37 years. I understand the challenges that farmers and ranchers face across the state. As a successful businessman, I also understand the issues that small businesses, property, and homeowners face. As a school bus contractor, I am familiar with Montana's public school system. My experience will be valuable as the legislature tackles decisions about agriculture, taxes, wildlife, and the economy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am a fiscal conservative who will work toward a government that works for the people. We need to repair and maintain our public roads and strengthen our schools. To save taxpayers money, we need to concentrate on allocating funds to the essentials (infrastructure), and not waste money on frivolous projects (i.e. 'wants' and 'would be nice to haves')Being a Life-Long, 3rd generation Montanan myself, I want to protect the way of life that so many Multi-generation Montana families built. There was a time when we could all afford to live here. We welcome those who have recently moved to Montana, but please, do not try to change Montana. Some young families cannot find affordable housing. Businesses owners struggle to keep employees, who cannot find affordable housing. We need to rein in County governments that create more and more regulations and fees that hamstring developers and landowners who just want to improve their property, and provide affordable homes for Montana's workforce.I will work to make Montana a better place and protect the way of life that those of us who have lived here for years have known, so that our next generation can stay and work in Montana. We need to encourage industry and small businesses that create good paying jobs, to stay in and/ or come to Montana. State government is primarily funded by income tax collections. Reducing the tax burden and regulations on businesses will allow business owners to spend less time on red tape, giving them more resources for expanding and improving business, leading to more job opportunities, which leads to more workers, and more tax base.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Keeping and / or attracting businesses that provide good paying jobs for our next generation ( our children and grandchildren) so that they can live in Montana.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Working for the people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Making government accountable to the people.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Both working together to come up with solutions to make Montana a good place to raise a family.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Cost of Living. Creating Good Paying Jobs. Home Affordability. Environmental Responsibility.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely.

Roy Handley did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.