When it comes to energy conservation, Matt Cohn does more than just talk the talk -- he rides the ride.

Cohn, an avid bicyclist and retired state administrator, has so far logged more than 800 miles on his bike while visiting voters in House District 82. He's set to take on deputy county attorney Mike Menahan in the district's Democratic primary June 3.

HD 82 includes western Helena neighborhoods and extends to the Continental Divide. The open seat is now held by Rep. Hal Jacobson, who is barred from re-election by term limits.

Conservation and energy-development issues are important to Cohn, but in a recent interview he discussed economic issues, education, predatory lending and his own experience working in the Capitol.

Cohn spent almost two decades working in administrative roles for the Department of Commerce and, in his final six years before retirement in 2007, working as the communications team leader for the Montana State Fund. Those jobs took him to the Legislature to lobby in every session since 1988.

"I know how the system works," Cohn said. "I know how state government functions. I know how the legislative process works. I realize that while a lot of things happen on the floor, more things happen in the back room, in the sense of the committees and the legislators getting together.

"I'm a person who's willing to bring folks to the table of differing points of view and getting stuff done, and ultimately that's what a successful legislator needs to do," he added.

Cohn is open to considering natural-resource development in Montana, but he wants to see the specifics of the proposals and ensure those projects are environmentally responsible.

"Our environment is what makes (Montana) special," Cohn said. "We've got to be vigilant ... you've got to be careful of the unintended consequences.

"I would much rather encourage alternatives and/or conservation," he added. "The number one thing a person can do is conserve."

Cohn said he would support tax incentives for alternative energy development and support other carrots for residents who make conservation choices -- he suggested, for example, lowering registration fees for people who buy hybrid vehicles.

A former small-business owner, Cohn wants to promote a business-friendly environment in Montana by working to ensure the state has a skilled and educated work force -- he said providing adequate funding for two-year colleges is key -- and by making sure local economic development agencies have the tools they need to support their communities. His work with the State Fund educated him on workers' compensation issues, and he believes more can be done to reduce accident rates and insurance rates for Montana businesses.

While many of the teachers Cohn has talked to believe the 2005 Legislature did a good job of defining what a quality education means for Montana's students, the state's complex funding formula needs additional work, he said. Cohn thinks a more direct formula could solve the state's school-funding issues, but he won't commit to specifics until he hears all sides of the debate. Cohn said he believes legislators need to look at funding mechanisms that reduce the reliance on local property taxes to fund schools.

Cohn believes laws governing payday loan operations need to be revised to create a ceiling for interest rates. Those lending operations can now assess more than 600 percent APR on the loans, and the recipients are low-income folks who can't afford to pay off the debts, but who may not have had any other options besides the loans.

"Some would argue (the loans) serve a need ... but the reality is that 75 percent or thereabout of those who are getting these loans are single moms," he said. "The people that can least afford this are paying them. And we as a society end up paying."

In the second-most-expensive primary campaign in Montana, Cohn has outraised his opponent, taking in more than $24,000. As of May 17, he had spent $13,245 and had $10,828 remaining. All of Cohn's contributions have come from individual donors, with more than 280 people giving him $35 or more. He refunded a little more than $1,000 in donations from friends in Japan and Taiwan after learning of a rule barring contributions from non-U.S. citizens.

For video profiles of the candidates and other 2008 election information, click here.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com