WEB EXTRA Rep. John Fleming weekly column

Week four of the 2009 legislative session is behind us.  With 23 legislative days completed, the House must finish three readings on any

bill it intends to send to the Senate by day 45. The House has dealt with roughly 1/3 of the bills we see coming.

Highlights of the week were the Governor’s State of the State address, House passage of the state employees’ pay  plan, and the Stream Access Bill.

Governor Schweitzer addressed the combined House and Senate on Wednesday evening with a full gallery and a statewide TV audience

watching. The governor unveiled a plan to use oil and gas production taxes to fund pay raises for teachers. This controversial proposal will offer the legislature a chance to have its say.

The state employees pay plan (HB 13) passed the House by a 2-1 margin. This plan negotiated between the state of Montana and state

workers, reflected the shrinking revenue picture. By their agreement, state employees will receive no pay raises for the next two years, a $450 one time payment to those earning less than $45,000 and an increase to insurance payments of $53 and $54.  Clearly the state employees were reacting to these tough times and I supported this bill.

A step was taken in resolving a long time conflict over stream access between land owners and recreationists as the House passed HB 90 by a 95-5 vote. This agreement, reached in two years of negotiations, allows landowners to fence up to bridges and allows fishermen and boaters access to rivers through gates in these fences.

Local residents Joan and Russ Sherman and Kermit Andersen testified before the House Judiciary Committee in support of a passenger accountability addition to state criminal law. This bill, sponsored by Representative Taylor and supported in testimony by Senator Brueggeman and myself, will be refined for introduction as a Senate bill.

I continue to work on school loan forgiveness for veterinarian students and teachers in certain districts.

Agriculture receives my attention in the form of fertilizer regulation, posting of state lab fees in grain elevators, and nursery and farmer market inspection issues.

Please continue to contact me and visits are always appreciated. My e-mail is fleming@stignatius.net and my cell phone is 207-3188.