I believe the essence of freedom rests upon the opportunity of citizens to own private property. Private property ownership requires that the individual, rather than the collective, determine the management and use of property. Individuals should have the right to use their property in whatever way seems best to them as long as they do not violate the life, liberty, or property of someone else in the process.

I also believe that when private property ownership is diminished by zoning, land use planning, or environmental regulations, the property owner must be compensated. This is required by Article 2, Section 29 of the Montana Constitution which states in part: "Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation to the full extent of the loss..."