Here we are – rolling into Tuesday! The following topics made the cut for today’s column:

• Tester’s Farewell Speech
• Cascade County Property Tax Bills
• Prohibit Bans on Books

TESTER’S FAREWELL SPEECH:

U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) delivered his Senate farewell speech on the floor of the United States Senate on Monday. Tester, a third-generation dirt farmer from Big Sandy, has served three terms in the U.S. Senate since Montanans first elected him in 2006.

Tester was defeated last month by Republican Tim Sheehy. 

You can watch his farewell speech HERE. 

According to C-SPAN, three-term Montana Democratic Senator delivers his farewell address on the Senate floor, saying it’s kind of an “obituary” as he closes out his 18 years of service. Tester reflects on his time in the Senate and pays tribute to past senators, including Jay Rockefeller and Danny Inouye. He also speaks about keeping his farm going and commuting to Montana instead of going on CODELS overseas with colleagues. And he talks about some of the issues he focused on, including veterans health and the passage of the PACT Act. He concludes by thanking the staff of the Senate and the people who work behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, including the various artisans and trades people. 

Ironically, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)  issued a statement about Tester’s service. Daines was head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and poured millions of dollars into the Montana race to help defeat Tester. Daines never misses an opportunity to get some publicity, but the truth is he is a MAGA asshole through and through. 

The Montana Free Press covers the speech HERE. The Daily Montanan covers the speech HERE. Lee Newspapers covers the speech HERE. 

Thank you for your service, Senator Tester. 

CASCADE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX BILLS:

I remember back in the day when Republicans were for smaller government and fewer taxes. The Republicans (MAGAs) run the government in Montana, now. Watch your wallets – they are coming to take every last dollar!   

I have seen on social media that people were finally receiving their tax bills. They were supposed to be mailed around November 25. (Source)

I received mine and guess what? My property taxes went up. 

If the Democrats in Montana want to win some elections, they should concentrate on helping people put more money in their pockets or keeping money in their pockets and not sending it to the government. 

If a candidate would promise, “I will never vote to raise your taxes and/or fees while I am your elected official” that candidate could win. People are tired of being taxed and getting fees raised every year. 

Is there anyone out there who would have the guts to do this? 

PROHIBIT BANS ON BOOKS: 

Congratulations to the fine folks in New Jersey!

The Associated Press (AP) reports that New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law Monday to prohibit public and school libraries from banning books in the state and to enshrine protections against civil and criminal charges for librarians who comply with the law.

New Jersey becomes the latest Democrat-led state to enact a ban on book bans, joining Illinois and Minnesota, according to the AP. 

I wonder if any Montana Democratic State Legislators would introduce a bill to prohibit the banning of books in Montana? That would send the MAGAs into a fit of rage!

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