Tag Archives: Montana Legislature

MT Political Practices: Perception

In case you missed the news yesterday, Montana Governor Steve Bullock picked a lawyer from Helena, Jonathan Motl, to be the state’s next political practices commissioner.

Lee Newspapers reported:

Motl has donated $6,800 to Montana political campaigns since 1992, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics. Discounting contributions to ballot issue campaigns and nonpartisan judicial races, Motl has given slightly more than $5,000 in partisan statewide and legislative races, all to Democrats. That includes $790 to Bullock in his races for attorney general and governor.

So the Governor of Montana (a Democrat) appointed someone to that office who donated money to his campaign and to other Democrats. This person will (hopefully) abide by the “Mission Statement” for the Office of Political Practices:

To monitor and to enforce, in a fair and impartial manner, campaign practices and campaign finance disclosure, lobbying disclosure, business interest disclosure of statewide and state district candidates, elected state officials, and state department directors, ethical standards of conduct for legislators, public officers, and state employees, and to investigate legitimate complaints that arise concerning any of the foregoing.

Wonderful. It’s OK to shake your head. I am. Continue reading →

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Thursday Numbers

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” I’m glad you stopped by!

If you are a new visitor, this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary (sometimes with a little sarcasm).

NOTICE: By reading this column you may be able to use the information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers, so consider yourself warned.

This week I write about the Bush Library, Max Baucus, Brian Schweitzer, unemployment, elephant bird, National Guard job losses, Gun Owners for Reform, Approval ratings, Al Pacino, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kansas City Chiefs, and much more! Continue reading →

MT Military: Time for One United Message

After passing the Montana House by a bipartisan 74-25 vote, the Great Falls Tribune reported on Friday that HB 579, a bill to create a statewide military task force, “died in the Senate.” HB 579 is listed as “Probably Dead” on the Bill Information section of the Montana Legislature’s website.

I had written about my support for HB 579 on April 11. You can read that column HERE.

The Montana Defense Alliance (MTDA), which is a committee (that requires $300 annual membership fee) out of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, came out against the bill. The Tribune reported that MTDA believes, “they already filled that need” of the statewide military task force.

In my opinion, that’s not entirely correct. Several people do not believe that MTDA comes close to filling “that need.”  Continue reading →

A Few Peas Short…

A friend told me the other day that during this session of the Montana Legislature they write, “Please Open Other End” on the bottom of Coke and Pepsi cans to keep the legislators from making a mess.

He was joking (I think), but after the headlines from what happened Friday, I can see why they might consider it. Some members of the Montana Legislature may need remedial training on voting.

State Representative Tom Jacobson (D-Great Falls) is one of the legislators who may need an intern or someone to help him vote correctly. It was not just any vote he screwed up; it was a vote to help those less fortunate. It was a vote about Medicaid.

It was a bill that should have passed. The headlines on Friday and Saturday were not that kind to Jacobson:  Continue reading →

Caught My Eye…

My alarm went off at 5:00 a.m. this morning and as I normally do first thing in the morning, I check my e-mail/text messages. I had about 10 “breaking news alerts” from various news organizations regarding the Boston bombing. As I get ready to post this column this morning, reports say one suspect is dead one is on the run. They are reportedly brothers.

Let’s pray for all those involved and pray that this ends soon with no more bloodshed.

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Congrats on making it through another week and to another edition of “Caught My Eye!”

So what is “Caught My Eye?” It’s the column where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. Often I throw in some sarcasm and poke fun at people just to make you smile.

Today I write about Max’s train wreck, transparency, Bobcats logo, Mark Sanford, Schweitzer Speaks, News coverage, April 19, The Hope Movement, Juror Texting, and much more! Continue reading →

Caught My Eye…

Congrats on making it through another week and to another edition of “Caught My Eye!”

So what is “Caught My Eye?” It’s the column where I take a quick look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. Often I throw in some sarcasm and poke fun at people just to make you smile.

Today should not disappoint in the poking fun and sarcasm categories! I write about Rep. Hagstrom, Being deviate, Being friends, Ream-ed, applause for Judge Ed McLean, Cloture, Daines on guns, Meghan versus Ann, 30 miles of Noodles, David Cassidy, and much more! Continue reading →

MT State Senate: Support HB 579

The Montana State Senate’s Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee finally held a hearing on House Bill 579 (HB 579) yesterday.

In case you don’t have all the bills in the Montana Legislature memorized by now, House Bill 579 is (take a breath):

An Act establishing a military strategic and economic impact task force concerning retention and development of military installations and force structures to provide economic development opportunities in Montana; allocating the task force to the department of commerce for administrative purposes; providing for task force membership, expense reimbursement, and duties; providing appropriations; and providing an effective date.

The Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee should pass the bill out of their committee quickly, and HB 579 should be brought to the floor of the Montana State Senate and receive the Senate’s full support. It passed out of the Montana House with an impressive 74-25 vote. I’ll have more on that vote later in this commentary.

Continue reading →

Thursday Numbers

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” If you are a new visitor, this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary (sometimes with a little sarcasm).

NOTICE:  By reading this column you may be able to use the information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers, so consider yourself warned.

This week I write about President Obama’s budget, fundraising for the Presidential library, executive pay, the Postal Service, unemployment, Sally Jewell, Montana Legislature, Anthony Weiner, Carol the elephant, obesity, K.C. Royals, egg salad, and much more!

Continue reading →

MT Legislature: One Clown Short of a Circus

Montana is pretty unique in regards to their state legislature. Montanans send 150 people to Helena every two years for 90 days to take part in the legislature. They come from all corners of the state and from varied backgrounds. For example, we see farmers, ranchers, small business owners, attorneys, and educators representing their constituents. It’s a citizen legislature hip hip hooray!

But for some reason when these people of good intentions arrive in Helena for the legislative session and start drinking the partisan water, many start acting like clowns.

My apologies to people who actually work as clowns.

Friday (April 5) turned into a circus when the Democrats (who are in the minority) tried to use a parliamentary tactic to prevent action on two Republican bills.  The Republicans were trying to pass the bills before a deadline. One Democratic state senator, Shannon Augare, was missing.

Continue reading →