Flurry of work brings hodge podge of bills

We now have an official state insect, the Western Meadowhawk. It's a type of dragonfly that eats bad insects and might help curb the spread of the West Nile virus. That was a bit of fun in a busy week.

Another fun moment for me was the passage of a bill 100 to nothing. It was a simple bill that allows victims of domestic violence or stalking to use a substitute address to keep a new address secret. This is done in 16 states currently and I do not anticipate that it was be used often, but it just could save a life.

Last week we heard and passed several bills that strengthen the penalties for repeat DUI offenders and methamphetamine possession. That last one included treatment as well as incarceration. There is a companion bill to require time in a treatment facility for a second offense heard in the Senate this week. I asked Lake County Sheriff Barron to give me an opinion on the Governor's request for establishing and funding a "drug czar" position. I hate to spend any money, but maybe we need this for co-ordination.

We defeated a bill to require prescriptions for the purchase of pseudoephedrine. That is one of the ingredients in methamphetamine production and can be found in cold medicines like Sudafed. There is currently a bill in the Senate that would only require showing an ID and signing for the purchase of pseudoephedrine. That way it could be bought week-ends or evenings from a convenience store.

Full-time kindergarten is still in committee, as is ethanol requirements and subsidies, and charter schools. We've heard several bonding bills, especially since the inner-cap loan program that has been in use is probably not legal.

Representative Joey Jayne from Arlee presented a bill last Monday in the House Judiciary Committee that would abolish the death penalty. I tried to speak for our former State Senator Ethel Harding. For too many years the murderer of her young daughter appealed his death penalty conviction. I tell her story when anyone asks me my why I support the death penalty.

Also in committee this week is a bill to restrict food and beverage vending machines in schools. Senate committees will hear about the "big box store" tax and a bill to require daytime use of headlights.

Growth policies are as big an issue here in Helena as they are in Lake County. And all the education debates are still ongoing. The education spending bills should reach my House Appropriations Committee sometime in March.

Isn't it amazing the inventiveness of the taxman? Tax pop, fees on car registration, marriage licenses, and alcohol. That last one may be a good idea, but it taxes small hometown breweries the most. We can talk more about taxes on Thursday, February 24 at my District 11 meetings. Noon at the Polson Senior Citizens Center and 7 pm at the Library Community Room.

But don't ask me about giving tax breaks to movie companies, and that is coupled with 15% rebate on wages paid to Montanans and 10% rebate on purchases made for the movie. All to out-of-state companies.

I'd like to thank everyone for their emails and calls. I really appreciate the input. Leave me a message at 406-444-4800, email jannataylor@montana.com, visit my website jannataylor.com or write: Representative Janna Taylor, Capitol Station, P.O. Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620-0400.