Edmunds said there is a general feeling the state is on the verge of being in "a really good spot," and the Legislature needs to help turn the economy into a "booming state." People want real property-tax relief, he said. With a projected $500 million surplus at the end of the fiscal year for the state, Edmunds said he wants a 10 percent permanent reduction. This would include Gov. Brian Schweitzer's proposal of a one-time rebate, he said.

Grinde wants property-tax relief for homeowners. To replace the loss to local government for services and infrastructure, she would increase the population limit on the resort tax. A local vote for a resort tax, with proceeds going to property-tax reduction or rebates, would achieve that, she said.

She said the water-adjudication tax enacted in 2005 should be retained so the process of quantifying the state's water rights will be completed in 10 years.

Grinde said the next Legislature also could expand health insurance tax credits and pooling passed in 2005; determine the merit of providing health insurance to school employees through the state employees plan; and fully fund the Children's Health Insurance plan.

Keying on economic development, Edmunds said natural and human resources need to be developed in-state. He proposed a tax credit for recent college graduates who take jobs in Montana. He called for a re-examination of workers' compensation rates and a tax credit for families and small businesses that buy their own insurance.

The school-funding issue will be resolved for District 48 when Beartooth Elementary is reopened, Edmunds said. The funding formula still needs to be reworked and does not promote more money to the classroom. Teachers who spend their own money for classroom supplies should get a tax credit, he said.

She supports state-funded all-day kindergarten, expansion of the post-secondary scholarship program that includes two-year schools; a gradual return to state funding of the University System to a level of 75 percent of the cost of tuition, including the colleges of technology; expansion of the workforce-training programs; state funding to local districts for deferred maintenance and repair; and expansion of the per-educator payment to local districts' general fund.

Edmunds said the Legislature should revisit a bill defeated in the last session that would require energy companies to purchase the lowest-cost power available for its Montana customers. He said he supports alternative energy sources as long as they do not "dramatically" increase the cost of heating and lighting a home.

While the cost of energy is a concern among those she has visited with, Grinde said a need to provide funding for drug treatment programs and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders ranks higher.

Finding a source of funding for infrastructure development in the Heights is a goal of Edmunds. He would like to see an outer beltway, an inner belt loop and a bench bypass funded and constructed, he said. These are needed for safety and productive growth, he said.

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