WEB EXTRA Helena update: Rep. John Fleming
Hello from Helena. My three committees (Education, Business and Labor and Agriculture) are hearing and acting on Senate bills daily. These are bills representing the ideas of senators across Montana and approved by the entire Senate. House floor sessions also consist of debate and votes on previously passed Senate bills.
House Bill 2 represents the basic funding of state programs and was passed Monday in a House floor session that began at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m. At the end of the day, a balanced budget was achieved in record time. The session saw 21 proposed amendments, all rejected by votes in the 65 – 35 range. The bulk of HB 2 general fund money goes to K-16 education (51.9 percent), human services (24.4 percent) and corrections (10.6 percent) and passed the House by the same margin.
The Appropriations Committee (and five sub committees) is now working on the “stimulus package” House Bill 645. This is the federal money ($800 million) sent to the state to reduce unemployment and stabilize state government budgets.
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Montana revenue estimates have been reduced by nearly $300 million since December and this money will be used to fund things that had to be cut. (Highway funding, clean water revolving fund, crime victims and weatherization projects to name four on a list of about sixty.)
Lake County Community Develop Corp Director Billie Lee has been in Helena and working hard in guiding efforts to direct money to Lake County projects. Emily Colomeda, Lake County Health Department has also outlined the requests of the Montana Public Health Association.
A bill of special interest to Lake County, the dog facility bill, was amended and sent on to the Senate. Representative D. McAlpin is working hard to please all interests and I have supported his efforts to reach compromise as has Representative Taylor. Also, the Reappraisal Bill (HB 658) will be heard in House Taxation Committee on Monday. I will pass on its results next week.
An interesting guest speaker on the House floor this week was the Canadian Counselor (Ambassador) from Saskatchewan. Canada easily retains the position of largest trading partner to the U.S. and of course Montana.
As we enter the last weeks of this legislative session, I want to express my pleasure at representing my Lake County constituents. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience here at the Legislature. The people in this building represent a surprising variety of backgrounds, experiences and bring a wide spectrum of ideas.
Please continue to stay in touch. My cell phone is 207-3188 and e-mail address is fleming@stignatius.net. It helps my responses to include a physical address in e-mails.