Update from Helena: Janna Taylor

We are all concerned with the federal stimulus money. We could get as much as $800 million. Many of the legislators on my side of the aisle are not very fond of the idea of putting our grandchildren deeper in debt, but you know that the state won’t turn down the money.

Our U.S. senators have said that the money is already earmarked, hopefully for one-time projects or infrastructure repairs. I am very worried that if we spend the money on ongoing programs, we may not be able to continue the funding in the future.

Now that I am vice-chair of the House Taxation Committee, I look at the budget from the revenue side. Our committee passes the revenue estimate. This number is then used by the House Appropriations’ sub-committees to build the budget.

Wisely, they have delayed some of their budget decisions until we know more about the revenue. We are fortunate that our constitution requires the spending to balance with the revenue estimates.

At the end of last week, the legislative fiscal analyst reduced the revenue estimate another $85 million dollars. Added to last month’s reduction, that’s down $220 million since the governor proposed his budget. If we pass a budget that can’t be paid for, we’ll have to have a special session later to cut programs.

Car registration fees are really a tax and my House Bill 187 prevents having to pay this again if you buy a car that has already been taxed. The fiscal note is about $4 million. Last session this passed the House 99-0, but I’m afraid that this session it will die in the Appropriations Committee because of the cost.

I am co-sponsoring a bill with Rep. Blewett (D-Great Falls) to increase pension annuity for retired people. This has a cost and will probably fail as well.

I have a proposed amendment to our constitution being drafted to freeze property tax for lower income seniors. Another great idea that cost money.

The breed specific ban on pit bulls died in committee. There were hundreds of people at the Capitol to protest this bill. If it had made it to the floor, I would have voted against it.

The primary seat belt legislation was heard last Tuesday in a Senate committee Most people have told me that they are for it, but the Native American caucus in the house will all vote no.

There was a real term limits bill heard in committee last week. Right now a legislator can go back and forth from house to senate, eight years in each, forever. The new proposal limits anyone to a total of 16 years in either body for their lifetime.

The House Judiciary Committee had a hearing about a bill to protect our gun rights. House Bill 228 establishes in law that every citizen of Montana has the right to self-defense, whether in the home or elsewhere.

As always, please contact me with your opinions. Call 406-444-4800 and leave me a message, write Representative Janna Taylor, Capitol Building, PO Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620-0400 or e-mail jannataylor@montana.com.