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Kenneth Peterson (Montana)
Kenneth Peterson (b. November 19, 1935) is a former Republican member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing the 46th District from 2000-2002 and from 2007-2013.
Peterson's professional experience includes working as the following; city attorney at the city of George and city of Soap Lake; attorney at Milne and Peterson; reliability engineer at Aerojet General; and sales manager at Meadowland Dairies. He also served as a radarman in the United States Navy from 1954-1956.
Peterson earned his J.D. in law from the University of Montana in 1967 and his B.S. in economics from Brigham Young University in 1960.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Peterson served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Peterson served on these committees:
- Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
- Human Services
- Judiciary, Vice Chair
Issues
Montana prisons
A budget hearing in early 2011 brought up the idea of prisons earning their own money rather than relying on taxpayer funds. Members of the panel asked about privatizing some services at prisons and how could the state increase restitution payments from prisoners.
State prison officials told the joint subcommittee on Judicial Branch, Law Enforcement and Justice that the department would need $170 million in 2012 and $180 million in 2013 to operate. There are about 12,000 people who are wards of the state in Montana with 8,000 of those on paroled supervision, officials said.
“Montana is tough on crime,” Gov. Brian Schweitzer's Budget Director David Ewer said. “We’re very compassionate people but we’re tough.”
Rep. Peterson asked if privatizing some services had been considered and Ewer did not offer him much hope.
“We believe it is appropriate for government employees to deliver something as important as public safety,” Peterson said.
Peterson pointed out that the administration of Gov. Schweitzer does not traditionally advocate for private prisons or for shipping prisoners out of Montana to other facilities.
Mike Ferriter, director of the Department of Corrections, said it cost the private-run prison in Shelby $67.86 a day to keep a prisoner whereas Montana state prisons have a cost of $87.91 a day.
However, Ferriter added, Montana State Prison was becoming a prison that dealt with people who were sex offenders or had medical issues.
Peterson said he'd be interested in privatizing some prison services, but would not push the issue.
“I thought it would be good for the agency (DOC) to pursue,” Peterson said, adding that the state could privatize the prison ranch in Deer Lodge and send low-level offenders there to work.
Rep. Michael More suggested the DOC look at ways to make prisoners pay restitution for their own incarceration.[1]
Presidential preference
2012
Kenneth Peterson (Montana) endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[2]
Elections
2010
On November 2, 2010, Peterson won re-election to the Montana House of Representatives. He did not have any opposition in the June 8 primary and no one filed to run against him in the general election. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.
2008
On November 4, 2008, Kenneth Peterson ran unopposed and won the seat to the Montana House of Representatives for District 46, receiving 3,168 votes.
Peterson raised $9,130 for his campaign.[3]
| Montana House of Representatives, District 46 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Kenneth Peterson (R)
|
5,432 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Peterson and his wife, Cherye, have seven children.
External links
- Montana House of Representatives - Rep. Kenneth Peterson
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2002, 2000
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Montana House of Representatives District 46 2007–2013 |
Succeeded by Clayton Fiscus (R) |
