Update from Helena

Last Friday, Saturday and Monday we heard HB 2 (the budget) on the floor of the House. It was difficult and often contentious. At times it sure seemed like theater, as speeches were read on the floor.

The Appropriations Committee heard testimony from hundreds and hundreds of people, most wanting the program that benefited them or that they worked to increase or be left in the budget. Guess who is never mentioned? The taxpayers. If you are a taxpayer, it seems that everyone wants more of your money.

The budget is a giant compromise. There are many parts that I don’t even like. The Senate Finance and Claims Committee gets the budget bill next. They will change many things. Then the House gets the bill next to review the Senate changes. Then we see what the Governor decides.

By the way, this is the earliest I’ve ever seen HB 2 reach the House floor. And the jobs and healthcare funding improvement bills are not too far behind.

Education funding is one of the areas that is still up in the air as HB 2 leaves the House. There is an expensive “pathways to improvement“ plan that is supposed to implement teacher and school accountability. But the needed data is not completely available yet. So, why start the program?

The Appropriations sub-committee did replace the ARRA (stimulus) funding that was put in last biennium with our taxpayer dollars. So, right now, schools dollars are the same as before.

The House Taxation Committee will hear the revenue estimate this week. It is not easy to estimate the revenues for the next two years. What will be the price of wheat, coal and oil? Will gas go to $5 a gallon? The estimate is many pages and includes income, corporate, and property tax amounts.

Once again, getting this estimate right is essential. This is the number that the budget has to match. That is the best part of our 1972 Constitution. The spending for the next two years has to match the estimated revenue for the next two years.

Now a word about resolutions. They don’t do much. One of my fellow legislators said that they are an excuse for not taking real action. And done just to make the author look good. Each bill and resolution we hear has a cost.

I have been criticized for not voting for HJ 20. It is a resolution that says that the Patient Protection and Affordability Health Care Act (Federal health care) is unconstitutional, null and void and urging each state legislature to adopt a similar resolution.

I find it difficult, but I do vote for some resolutions. Things like parental rights, state sovereignty and urging the Feds to remove wolves from the endangered species list. Also two resolutions established special weeks, Developmentally Disabilities Appreciation week and forest products industry week.

I prefer a referendum to the people. It is much more effective. I am a co-sponsor of HB 206. This bill submits to the voters a Montana constitutional amendment providing the right to choose their own health care coverage.

I never forget that I work for you. This last week I had a volunteer intern, John Michael Meuli, and he was able to help me with contacts. It is hard to answer every email and postcard, but please keep the comments coming.

Leave me a message at 406-444-4800, my cell is 253-8766 or email me at jannataylor@montana.com.