Highlights from Helena, Mar. 21 - Rep. Dan Salomon

It is budget week in the Montana House of Representatives. We will be debating and voting on House Bill 2, which determines the General Fund budget for the state for the next two years.

There will be several big ticket items in this bill that have not been decided yet. The select committee on pensions is still meeting and trying to craft the best way to move forward. Base Education funding is provided for in HB 2, but SB 175 carried by Senator Jones is currently being heard in the House Education committee now. This senate bill also formulates funding for education and has the potential to increase this funding by an amount up to $120 million. The Governor’s Pay Plan, also referred to as 5 and 5, was rejected this week by the House Appropriations Committee. Last year the state gave out over 18 million dollars in raises, even with a pay freeze! The Appropriations Committee wants to structure a pay plan that will make sure the employees that didn’t get raises are the recipients this time.

I was able to speak on the floor of the House against a blast motion that was specifically created as an attempt to shut down the Pinehaven Youth School in St. Ignatius. This motion was defeated.

In the Education Committee we heard a bill, being carried by Senator Brown that would change school tuition and levy law with the intent of allowing school districts to retain their special needs students and eliminate the practice of sending them to outside districts for services. Another bill coming from State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy Juneau and the Office of Public Instruction was to provide ANB funding for schools for 19 year old students. This would encourage school districts to allow 19 year old students to complete the requirements for a high school diploma. It has some issues that are in conflict with Special Education funding that are currently being worked on.

A bill that would establish youth concussion protection laws was heard on Friday. After some very emotional testimony by a large crowd of proponents, it was referred to a sub-committee of which I will be the chair. This bill has the potential to protect our young people but needs some additional work before moving forward. It has the strong support of hospitals, doctors, athletic trainers, coaches, and parents.

There is a lot going on here in Helena and we have some busy days ahead. As always I am here to listen to your concerns and comments. I can be reached at 253-9724 or dansalomon12@gmail.com.