Update from Helena
As you probably know, I write this column several days before the paper goes to print. I am hoping that when you read this, we are finished or nearly finished. It depends on whether or not the Governor vetoes, amends or line item vetoes House Bill 2.
Usually, the budget bill goes to the Governor and we leave. He has 10 days to decide what to do. This time we were hoping to have HB2 returned and work out any differences. That is why we took a couple of days off, so that we would be in session when he decides.
Still to work out as I write this, marijuana rules, in conference committee right now, and the companion bills to the budget bill. Those provide the language that tells us how the money will be spent. HB 2 has just a list of money and where it goes.
I gave a couple of my bill drafts to other legislators because the Speaker Pro Tem position took some of my time. A partial zero-based budget proposal was tabled by a Senate committee.
Another draft was turned into a bill by Representative Reichner from Bigfork. HB 333 would include distressed sales, like re-pos, in the Department of Revenues comparisons for reappraisals. The bill only required five percent of sales to be distressed in order for them to be counted. The Governor amended the number of sales to 20 percent of the total. The House has not accepted the Governor’s amendment. So, this is still up in the air.
The Senate killed two bills that I did carry. One, Montana drivers license test to be given in English only, was tabled in the Senate Transportation Committee. The other was a potential revenue source for the unfunded liabilities on the public employee retirement systems, voted down on the Senate floor.
I voted for the bonding bill, HB 439 the first time it was on the House floor. I am now voting against it. As you know, a bond is unpaid obligated debt on every Montanan. This bill is one of those that has something of everyone, enough local “pork“ to get votes. Here‘s what it has in it:
1) combined state laboratories (veterinary diagnostic, analytical, and wildlife lab), $6.7 million; 2) Montana heritage center, Helena, $23 million; 3) MSU-Billings, science and instructional tech building, $14.25 million; 4) MSU-Bozeman, classroom renovation, $2.5 million; 5) MSU-Bozeman, Montana agricultural experiment stations, $1 million; 6) MSU-Great Falls college of technology, agricultural and trades building, $4 million; 7) MSU-northern, auto tech center, $7.9 million; 8) Southwestern Montana veterans’ home, Silver Bow County, $5 million. 9) U of M-Missoula college of technology, new facility, $29 million; and 10) U of M-western, main hall, $4.45 million.
Does it make any sense to consider privatizing the vet home in Columbia Falls and bond for another in Butte? There is a little pork for every big city legislator and some for Havre and Dillon.
Our federal debt is now $45,994 per person and our state debt is $4,903 for each of us. Add those together and multiply by the number in your family.
Do you want this debt?
Keep the emails and messages coming. I never forget that I work for you. Leave me a message at 406-444-4800, my cell is 253-8766, or email jannataylor@montana.com.