In checking editorials from the major papers across the state this morning, one newspaper decided to write about the Omnibus spending bill and Senator Jon Tester’s backroom deal where he inserted new language called the Forest Jobs and Restoration Initiative into the massive bill.

The Great Falls Tribune Editorial Board liked the original bill, but they are not “thrilled” about the way the way the new bill has been brought forward.

Welcome to the club. Where have you been?

Tester’s original bill at least received a committee hearing (a year ago). But, it never got any further in the legislative process than that. It was not voted on by the committee. It never made it to the Senate floor. It never made it to the House of Representatives.

Tester’s people talked about meetings he’s held on the old bill. There have been no meetings dealing with the new bill – and that is morally and ethically wrong.

Basically, the new bill was introduced on Tuesday. The language inserted into the Omnibus bill is completely different from the previous bill. It’s a deal that was done in the shady backrooms of senate – something one would think the “Sunshine” promoters at the Tribune would cry foul about.

But Tester is their boy and the Tribune Editorial Board never talked about Tester’s campaign promise of more transparency and making Washington look a little more like Montana. They gave him a pass on this one.

So, to me and thousands of people across Montana, there’s an easy answer to the Tribune’s question, “Is that the right way to do things?”

“Hell no!”