Rep. Janna Taylor checks in from Helena

We all arrived in Helena in spite of the weather. It took Rep. Julie French two and a half days to make it from Scoby to Helena. We Montanans are a tough lot.

My mother-in-law passed away in December. We had a memorial service for her in Great Falls last Saturday. Weather kept many family members away. But, I just had to drive from there to Helena last weekend.

As you all know, your citizen representatives all have to move to Helena for four months every other year. Rents are inflated for us, I’m sure. I searched for an apartment that had a garage. I am a good shoveler, but early morning in the snow is not my idea of starting out a day of work.

I rented a furnished apartment, the walkout basement of a home about one mile above the Capitol. It’s hard enough to bring all my clothes and personal stuff, I didn’t want to have to figure out furniture.

If the weather permits, I’ll try to walk to work. I can use the exercise. Many of us gain weight because we sit so much.

I have been assigned to three committees, more than most representatives. Every morning from 8 a.m. to noon I vice-chair the House Taxation. The floor sessions start at 1 p.m., and at 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday I’m in Transportation. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday it’s Agriculture.

This will be an interesting year to be on the Taxation Committee. I have written about the reappraisals many times. Now I can better attempt to mitigate some of the increases.

Like my first session in 2005, the house is divided 50-50 on party lines. That may cause us some problems. The senate is 27-23 in favor of the Republicans. They get the budget after the House, so it will be pretty interesting.

Four years ago when I wrote my first article, the state was looking at a $300 million surplus. Two years ago, we had a billion dollar surplus.

Now, we will be lucky to squeak by. I did not vote for the budget for many reasons, but spending all that money was one of them. I have always been a fiscal conservative.

The worst part of our budget is inflation and automatic raises given to state employees and retirees. We have many hard working employees, but when the economy tanks there is no way to limit many of these raises.

And as salary increases so does all the benefits, health care and retirement. The state retirement system is in trouble again. Do not worry about immediate payments if you count on this. There is money for now.

I’ll fill you in as the numbers become available. And I promise to write every week. I never forget that I work for you. Please write, call, or e-mail me with ideas and comments.

Call 406-444-4800 and leave me a message, write Representative Janna Taylor, State Capitol, Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620-0400 or e-mail jannataylor@mointana.com.