Capitol Letter

Dear Folks,

In my letter to you last week, I wrote that bills were still awaiting the governor’s final judgement. Yup – He vetoed the last of several voter registration bills that would retain election integrity. Did you know that a person can register to vote and request and submit an absentee ballot without ever appearing or presenting photo identification? The Secretary of State’s argument against our sensible bills was that “there is no voter fraud.” Senator Shockley, a veteran of many legislative sessions, replied, “That’s because no one is looking for it.”

We held our noses and voted for HB 316, the stinker bill that shaved some bed tax and metal mining revenues to plug a hole in education funding that we’d created. Our leadership implored us to vote for it, saying, “everybody gets a haircut.” In this case, the governor’s veto gave me mixed feelings, as I am very glad it restores funds for tourism promotion. He’ll have to cover the multi-million dollar gap for schools from some other source.

Now that the session is over, I am more resolved to work harder and smarter for you in the future to craft sensible legislation that will help Montanans.

What motivates me? My new husband and I settled in Montana as young adults in 1973. When our 1948 Chevy pickup stranded me along the new Interstate, the first person to come by stopped and offered me a ride to town. When our little cabin burned, neighbors rallied to help us. Folks we’d never met donated household items to set us back up. The banker had faith in us and we borrowed to buy a 12x60 trailer house, and set up house again. As I put away the items given to us, I made a pledge that I’d do what I could to return the kindness and sacrifice that had been shown to us. Nearly four decades have passed, and I believe that trust and neighborliness still lives in Big Sky Country.

Montana’s a grand state where integrity and self-reliance are valued; where “neighboring” is the verb for connecting with those around you, sharing the unspoken legacy. In visiting with you upon my return from Helena, you’ve made your hopes clear: A desirable place to live and gain meaningful employment, preservation of our many freedoms and good educational opportunities for us and our children.

Serving in the 62nd Legislature partly satisfied my debt to Montana society. And what a society it is! But I remain willing to serve, and intend to put my time and effort up for election to the next legislative session on your behalf.