Hello friends – It’s Friday, July 28, 2023, and here are the topics I am providing commentary about in this column:
- Polling
- National Defense Authorization Act
- Great Falls City Commission
- One More Thing
POLLING:
I took part in another poll this week, this one from Research Polls. It was mostly about the U.S. Senate race in Montana. The poll asked questions about incumbent Jon Tester, challenger Tim Sheehy, and possible challenger Matt Rosendale.
I think it was a classic “push poll.” By push poll, I mean some of the questions/statements told me things about one candidate to make me pick another candidate. For example, and this is only an example: Candidate John Doe was caught on camera beating his dog. Knowing this, does this make you more likely or less likely to vote for John Doe. Or, Bill Jones is an Eagle Scout and was credited with saving nine puppies from certain death last week. Knowing this, who would you vote for in the U.S. Senate race in Montana?
The poll was pretty negative toward Tim Sheehy, who has, in my opinion, started his campaign with several errors. I’m pretty sure that Rosendale would beat him if the primary was held today (if Rosendale is running). Neither can beat Tester, IMHO.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT:
The U.S. Senate passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act this week. The vote was 86-11. The U.S. House passed its version of the bill earlier this month. That means a conference committee made up of members of both chambers will be formed to reconcile the differences. This should be fun to watch.
The Hill reported that provisions in the House bill that will have to be reconciled are items that would block the Pentagon’s new policy that covers travel costs for military members who seek abortions, take aim at military diversity programs and bar funding for surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender troops.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) issued a press release talking about the key provisions that he secured in the bill. Read the press release HERE.
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) posted comments on Facebook about what he supported in the bill. Watch it HERE.
GREAT FALLS CITY COMMISSION:
The residents of Great Falls should be happy that “The Electric” follows and reports on city and county government news. They do a great job of keeping us informed.
This week The Electric reported about the Great Falls City Commission “revising” the city’s appointment process for advisory boards.
From The Electric:
The current policy was adopted by commissioners in 2018 as a resolution and states that in the case of a member eligible and interested in reappointment, as long as they’re in good standing and the applicable board recommends reappointment, the applicant shall be brought to the commission without advertising the position. Commissioners reserve the right to accept or reject the reappointment.
The Electric also reported:
During the July 18 meeting, Commissioner Rick Tryon said he’d prefer to amend that resolution so that all board appointments be opened and advertised for applicants when the position is vacant or set to expire, regardless of whether a member is eligible for reappointment.
Then it was reported:
Staff’s proposed revision would read that all board vacancies be advertised on the city website and sent to local media.
In the case of a member eligible and interested in reappointment, their application will be brought to the commission for consideration along with all newly received applications. Commissioners reserve the right to accept or reject the member for reappointment.
During their July 18, commissioners opted not to reappoint a current library board member who is eligible and interested in another term.
But it was reported that they reappointed people to other boards without as much as a whimper.
It seems to me that one or more of the commissioners is still upset that the Library levy passed, and they and their MAGA friends did not defeat it. So, they take out their anger in other ways.
You can read the complete report from The Electric HERE.
ONE MORE THING:
Don’t forget to stretch…
The Western Word 
There’s a number of people in town who opposed the library levy for the library’s allegedly “woke” stance on inclusive materials and plans to deal with the existing homeless patrons. A few on the losing side are legitimately concerned about the extra few bucks a month in taxes, but mostly it’s mad that “woke” won with all the money concerns merely cover. They are upset they were losers, upset that the plans to deal with homeless will be funded, upset that the library will still probably cater to all people not just some MAGA ideal, and so now want to get on that library board and try to change things from within. Which of course is their right.
I imagine commissioner Tryon as well as the others are getting an earful about the appointment process and opening it up. So the move is understandable.
Plus now the commissioners can spend more of their time interviewing board members, and it will be just another excuse for why after nearly two years they never get around to dealing with all the still open Crime Task Force recommendations, namely the ones that might not cost us an arm and a leg like the very few they’ve addressed so far with the upcoming levy. Win win for the commissioners.