Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are the topics that caught my eye for today’s column:

• Veterans Transportation
• Bathroom Bill Fallout
• Strategy To Results (S2R)
• New Podcast
• One More Thing

VETERANS TRANSPORTATION:

I saw a report on MTN News about veterans obtaining rides to appointments at the VA. 

MTN News reports that it may be an oversight, or an unintended consequence, but due to the federal hiring freeze put in place by President Donald Trump, it’s become more difficult for veterans who rely on ride-share programs to make their VA appointments. 

MTN says that legally, volunteer drivers for the Disabled American Veterans program are termed as, ‘non-compensated VA employees’. They are responsible for ensuring veterans who can’t drive themselves make their VA appointments and fulfill their health needs, such as re-filling prescriptions and receiving medical attention. As non-compensated VA employees, they fall under the same umbrella as other paid employees and cannot be hired during the freeze.

Shannon Wilson, a volunteer driver with the DAV, told MTN that, while in D.C., she spoke with the office for Senator Steve Daines. His camp was unaware that drivers were unable to be hired. They are now working with the Presidents’ administration to ratify these ‘unintended consequences.’

Is anyone surprised that Daines’ “camp was unaware” of the problem? 

This is just one problem that is happening with the new administration and their desire to take a meat cleaver when trying to trim the fat from the Federal Government workforce. You can bet there will be many more errors that will hurt veterans and others who depend on the government. 

BATHROOM BILL FALLOUT:

I suggest that Montana Governor Greg Gianforte sign HB 121 (the bathroom bill) into law from inside the men’s restroom in the Capitol.

Lee Newspapers has a report posted about the ramifications of the bill when it is signed into law. Lee Newspapers reports:

Local governments, domestic violence shelters and other public facilities across Montana are bracing for fallout from a bill passed by the Legislature on Tuesday that would require them to segregate bathrooms, changing areas and sleeping quarters based on people’s sex assigned at birth.

The proposal, which would go into effect immediately should the governor sign it, would have a disproportionate impact on transgender people who could no longer use facilities based on their gender identity.

House Bill 121 could also wreak havoc on the state and local facilities charged with enforcing what some describe as a vaguely written bill. It stands to make public employees the enforcers, open up government agencies to legal battles and thrust financial costs on already-strapped programs, organizations say.

I am pretty sure that the bill will be put on hold by the courts pretty quickly after it becomes law. Ultimately, I think it will be found unconstitutional, as it should be. It is a waste of time and resources. 

People are already saying that Montanans want to spy on people when they go into a public restroom. That should be great for tourism!  

STRATEGY TO RESULTS (S2R):

I saw a post on X from Jason Thielman, who was U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ Chief of Staff and recent National Republican Senatorial Campaign Executive Director, announcing:

Excited to launch my new firm after an incredible run at the NRSC. Looking forward to bringing the same strategic focus and winning mindset to 2026 and beyond. Grateful for ⁦@brocklowrance⁩ and Tim Edson joining in this new chapter!

Politico has a story about the new venture, called “Strategy to Results” (S2R), HERE.  

I know Thielman and Lowrance. While we probably don’t see eye to eye on everything, I’m sure they will do a fantastic job in the political world. Good luck!

NEW PODCAST: 

There’s a new podcast called, “Grounded with Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou” that was recently launched. 

According to their website:

If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed by the news coming out of Washington, D.C. right now, know this: you are not alone. Each week, former U.S. Senator Jon Tester of Montana and veteran journalist Maritsa Georgiou are here to talk you through it.

Sounds good! The first episode is out now. 

ONE MORE THING:

Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.  ― Walter Cronkite

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##