Court outlines quality education

It was good to be home last weekend, visiting friends and family. The House reconvened on Tuesday; and we are back at work, with just a little over 20 days left and with education, health care and budgeting challenges ahead, to name a few.

Before leaving for Easter break, here is a recap of some of the bills in which you may be interested:

Health care

SB 324, Sen. Jon Tester's (D-Big Sandy) Affordable Rx Bill was heard in House Human Services. The committee was packed with proponents and faced no opposing testimony. Also, Tester's SB 380, which regulates medical care and pharmacy discount cards, will be heard in House Business and Labor on March 31.

Rep. Dave Wanzenried's (D-Missoula) HB 667, which creates a purchasing pool and tax credits for health insurance for small businesses, passed second reading in the House, 79-21, and is scheduled for third reading this week.

Finally, SB 303, sponsored by Sen. Jon Ellingson (D-Missoula), passed third reading in the Senate and is on its way to the House. Ellingson's bill allows for the full deduction of medical expenses for individual income tax purposes that are not otherwise deducted.

Education

Last Tuesday, the Montana Supreme Court ruled on the recent issue of quality education for Montana's public school system. Key components of the ruling concluded that the current education system violates the Public School Clause and the Indian Education Clause of the Montana Constitution. Additionally, the Court said that defining quality education is a necessary first step to providing and funding quality education for our children.

The Court said that the definition of a quality education should guide the discussion about the new funding formula, and that the costs of increased accreditation and performance standards, teacher pay, fixed costs such as building operations and maintenance and costs of special education must be considered when developing a new funding formula.

The Supreme Court further directed that a new funding formula must address problems such as programs that are being cut, deteriorating buildings, districts that are budgeting at or near their maximum budget authority and teachers that are leaving the state for better paying jobs.

That seems like a tall order to fill before the session ends; but if we keep on working together and pushing forward, I am confident that we will make tremendous progress on the education problems facing us today. Our children deserve no less than our best efforts.

Jobs/economic development

Early in the session both houses authorized, and the governor signed, HB 447, the negotiated pay plan for state employees, improving the financial outlook for hundreds of public servants across the state. Other jobs initiatives are waiting for final approval, such as Rep. Monica Lindeen's (D-Huntley) Economic Development Trust Fund proposal in House Bill 249.

Senate Bill 329, sponsored by Sen. Tester, would clarify and reinstate the Made in Montana program. Quality Montana-made agricultural products recently publicized in the rotunda make a good case for reinstating the program. Producers and manufacturers enjoy economic benefits by branding their product with the "Made in Montana" seal; and consumers get peace of mind knowing the goods they purchase are made herein Big Sky Country.

Environment

Funding for the Landusky-Zortman Mine Reclamation moves forward, passing on second reading in the House, 90-10. It is scheduled for third reading this week. HB 379, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy (D-Box Elder), will allow us to begin saving money for treatment of polluted water running off a pair of abandoned open-pit cyanide leach mines in north central Montana. HB 379 would fund $1.49 million a year from a special overflow account, which is earmarked for situations such as the Zortman-Landusky clean-up, or environmental contamination from mining and drilling. Although the mines have closed, water running off the reclaimed mines is still contaminated and will need to be treated forever; thus a permanent cleanup solution is needed.

I thank those who have sent me your concerns, comments, and suggestions. I would not be as effective without you.

I am confident that the last days of this session will be successful by working together and always keeping in mind the priorities that all Montanans share. As John Quincy Adams said, "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

You can reach me at:

Jean Windham, Montana House of Representatives

PO Box 200400

Helena, MT 59620-0400

Capitol: (406) 444-4800

Cell: (406) 544-8086

Email:

windham@centurytel.net