Smoke and mirrors gets budget below cap
House District 11
Special session! The word isn't official, but the Senate okayed $200,000 to have the education funding committee continue working until the fall. We'll probably finish around April 20 in order to save five days for early December. At least the cost of the five more days will not have to be borne by the taxpayers. Until then, we continue to fund an unconstitutional school system.
Remember how I said the budget was smoke and mirrors? Well, the money needed to bond Highway 93 was pulled from House Bill 2 and put into a bonding bill. We are now below the cap. Nothing actually changed, just some accounting.
I voted for the graduated drivers license after it was amended to give some parental authority for exceptions. I know that the Polson driver education instructor was in favor of this bill. The exceptions will help young people in Montana's most rural areas. If you have to drive two hours to the movies or the grocery store, an 11 p.m. curfew is difficult. There is also a provision to limit the number of teenagers in a car.
We passed the open container prohibition, even though I hate those federal mandates. We would lose $5 million in federal highway money without this bill. We make too many decisions based on federal grants, matches or mandates.
I voted against the primary seat belt law. What really bothered me was where do we stop in our laws to control people's lives? Driving fast causes accidents and deaths. So, cars should not be allowed to go over 55 mph. Lack of exercise contributes to health problems. Should the government require everyone to go on a hike? People over 55 years old have slower reflexes than younger people. Males under the age of 25 have the most accidents. Overweight is dangerous. Stress can hurt you. Should we regulate everything?
Which brings me to the smoking ban. We all know that smoking causes illness and that secondhand smoke is the worst. If you own a bar do you have the right to allow smoking? Well, not if it's a public place. I always hoped that smoking and non-smoking areas would solve this problem. I voted against banning smoking in all public places. A private office, like that of an attorney or accountant, is considered a public place for the purposes of this bill.
Additionally, casinos owned by a tribal member on the reservation are exempt from this smoking rule. If KwaTaqNuk's planned expansion includes smoking areas, they will probably get all the smokers' business, even from Kalispell or Missoula. One of the legislators from Flathead County calls this bill the KwaTaqNuk economic development program. But we will have to wait and see. The ban for casinos does not go into effect for four years.
I changed my mind on SB 428, the 2-1-1 safety, health, and human services referral phone number. I was worried about the funding source, but I just spoke with Senator Esp from Big Timber, who assured me that federal funding was available. Hope we don't get caught in the federal "now-you-have-it, now-you-don't" trap again.
Speaking of that, SB 507 is a great bill to streamline registration of street rods, constructed or kit vehicles. The Department of Justice stuck on a 20 to 40 percent increase on all titles. The bill does not specify how this money will be used, but proponents say it is for the drug task force. Last December the federal government stopped funding this program. I truly believe we need to fund the drug task force, but putting the cost in title fees is just another hidden tax. The funding for the task force needs to come out of HB 2 directly.
My grandson, Jacob Taylor, was born March 31 in Jacksonville, Fla. Wish he was closer to Montana. Looks like Mike and I will be planning a trip soon.
Please continue to contact me with your questions and comments. Leave me a message at 406-444-4800, or email jannataylor@montana.com.
My website has changed to jannataylorhd11.com
or write:
Representative Janna Taylor
Capitol Station
PO Box 200400
Helena, MT 59620-0400