Update from Helena

The governor signed the budget bill. I was surprised at his statement that the Republican leaders did not live up to their promises. Senate President Peterson and House Speaker Milburn wrote the agreement down at the time they spoke to the governor. The governor said the final budget is much like the one he proposed in the very beginning. So why all the posturing?

Besides the budget bill, the governor signed a one percent business equipment reduction plan (Senator Tutvedt, R. Kalispell). He did say that it was inferior to his plan, but his plan did not back fill the counties for lost revenue and Senator Tutvedt’s bill does that.

Governor Schweitzer allowed a MEPA overhaul bill (Senator Keane, D. Butte) to become law without his signature. It does not stop any environmental assessment. It will just help businesses that get a permit to hire employees instead of lawyers.

Our governor vetoed about 80 bills. He called them “frivolous, feel-good and unconstitutional.” Here are a few examples that are none of those things:

1. HB 59 (Belcourt, D. Box Elder) include hydropower in renewable energy portfolio, right now hydropower is not considered renewable in Montana!

2. HB 152 (Washburn, R. Bozeman) require proof of residency and identity before voting.

3. HB 167 (Regier, R. Kalispell) violence to an unborn child is a crime, excepting abortion. This is like Conner‘s law.

4. HB 333 (Reichner, R. Bigfork) include bank repossessions as comparables in property tax reappraisals. We even agreed with the Governor’s amendments and he still vetoed the bill.

5. HB 444 (Burnett, R. Bozeman) create a budget database website, put the state budget online. It is the taxpayers right to know how their money is spent.

My bill, HB 405, was called bizarre by the governor. If a doctor does not practice defensive medicine, meaning not over-prescribing tests and medicines, he or she would have a bit of civil immunity. A dozen doctors from all across our state showed up to testify in favor as well as hospitals and insurance companies. The only opponents were three trial lawyers.

Our governmental system is full of checks and balances. We do not all agree, even members of the same political party. Still there is no reason to let the discourse get abusive. I believe that no legislator from either party serves for the money, glamour or accolades. We do it because we care about Montana.

I will not be writing weekly columns now that the session is over. I will weigh in when ever I have an interim committee or interesting state events require. In the meantime, please, keep questions and suggestions coming.

My home phone is 849-6096, my email is jannataylor@montana.com and my address is PO Box 233, Dayton, MT 59914. I never forget that I work for you.