Capitol Letters
Jobs for Montanans — This was a good week for job prospects in Montana. It’s income taxes from private sector earnings that pays salaries for government employees. Funding for state agencies, our highway department, those who serve the Department of Health and Human Services, our prison staff, our hard-working K-12 teachers all has its genesis in the private sector. In 2009, the number of government jobs surpassed private sector jobs in Montana, “a frightening trend,” in the words of my Senate colleague, a Bozeman accountant. With that in mind, we focused on ways to put Montanans to work.
Restoring our status as the Treasure State — Although we adjourned Thursday for our transmittal break, we packed in double sessions, and easily put in a week’s worth of decision-making. A bill passing the Senate will ease some of the regulatory brakes within the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Mining and timber industries used to be two of the most prosperous in the state. Union laborers enjoyed good paying jobs and entrepreneurs looked to Montana as a place of opportunity. Our wood products went all over the west and the Orient. The current regulatory atmosphere obstructs, not permits, resource development. Our action will not reduce environmental oversight; it just enables industry — especially mining — to better predict restrictions and plan ahead for it. The US depends entirely on imports of rich earth minerals. Encouraging mining in Montana is not only good for our state, it’s good for the nation.
Budget blues — I know everyone is tired of hearing about the budget, but there are some blaring facts that need to be understood. Although the Governor claims we are awash in cash, the non-partisan, objective Legislative Fiscal Division handed us a mid-session accounting on Thursday, and no matter how you figure it, using estimated revenue and the Governor’s budget request, it’s $120 million short for the biennium. Sure there is a fund of coal trust money, but do you take your life savings CD and cash it in to pay for your telephone, an oil change and kitty litter? I don’t think so.
Montana’s Legislature is making the news — Someone asked me how many bills we expect this session. According to Senate President Jim Peterson, there are 30 percent fewer than last session.
To this, I say “Hurrah!” Conservatives typically don’t encourage more laws, and this is proof we are fulfilling our role.
Senator Peterson more diplomatically explains, “We are more focused this session, and dealing with fewer but more significant bills.” The House is attracting national attention and during yesterday’s joint press conference, House Speaker Mike Milburn explained, “there are 100 folks in the House; each bringing in their own ideas. That’s what we do — we encourage and debate all ideas.”
Keep in mind, a lot of them won’t make it into law.