Frozen Greetings from Montana! Here are the topics that made today’s column:

• Montana Senate Bill 254
• Chief Justice Cory Swanson
• The Circus Continues
• Hello Mississippi & Ohio
• One More Thing

MONTANA SENATE BILL 254:

Recently, I have read about several local government officials complaining about the Montana Legislature deciding what is best for local governments or micromanaging local governments.  This usually happens every legislative session in Montana. 

The Electric reported about the Cascade County Commissioners unanimously passing a resolution this month opposing any legislation limiting or prohibiting the Montana Association of Counties from lobbying on behalf of its members, including Cascade County. The Electric specifically mentioned bills SB 204, SB 205, and HB 20. 

One bill that I hope passes is SB 254,  “An Act Prohibiting The Use Of Public Funds For Lobbying…” (Bill Info)

I do not think that local governments should be allowed to use my taxpayer money for lobbying. The City of Great Falls is spending $18,000 for a lobbyist this session. In 2023, the Great Falls City Commission voted to fund The Wendt Agency’s $150,000 proposal to conduct a Community Education Program to provide taxpayers with information on the Public Safety Levy. (Source) They were using that money to lobby taxpayers to vote for a tax increase, but calling it a “Community Education Program.”

When local government officials are complaining about not having adequate money for public safety, but then spend thousands of dollars lobbying, don’t come asking me to support a tax increase. That dog won’t hunt. 

CHIEF JUSTICE CORY SWANSON:

As many readers know, I supported Cory Swanson for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. I also supported Katherine Bidegaray for Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. I can do that because I’m independent. 

Swanson addressed the Montana Legislature this week. This is the same legislature in which many members say that they want to reign in the liberal courts, which just means the MAGAs don’t agree when the court rules against them. 

Swanson wants the judiciary to remain nonpartisan. I feel the same way. The Helena IR reported:

He (Swanson) also drew some ideological lines between himself and the Republican-led Legislature, particularly on the question of partisan judicial elections, a proposal sought by lawmakers and Gov. Greg Gianforte this session. 

“I have personally stated and been asked this question 100 times in the last year,” he said. “The judiciary should remain nonpartisan, despite the almost irresistible pull of partisan spending and messaging in these highly contested campaigns. That’s not based on a constitutional opinion; I have not researched the issue. I’m not offering a constitutional opinion. It’s based on my personal commitment to the people of Montana, and to each of you, to decide every case based on the facts and the law of that case, not based on the party or the affiliation of the litigants.”

I feel that Swanson is the right person for the job of Chief Justice. I am looking forward to his leadership at the Montana Supreme Court. 

THE CIRCUS CONTINUES:

I am not impressed with many of the legislators in the Montana Legislature. About 90% of them are clowns and this is the only time in their meaningless lives that they feel important.

The Republicans control the State House and State Senate and are having problems leading. 

Here are some recent reports:

Chaos reigns in a divided Republican Senate – Montana Free Press 

Marathon evening floor session confirms continued Senate GOP fracture – Daily Montanan 

Democrats’ coalition exercises control over Montana Senate in series of late-night votes – Helena IR

Many Republicans are ticked off about the nine Republicans who have sided with Democrats in the state Senate during some votes. If the state Senate had some actual leaders, that would probably not happen.  

HELLO MISSISSIPPI & OHIO:

Two Ohio state lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill that they’ve nicknamed the Conception Begins at Erection Act. It would make it a felony for a man to have unprotected sex if they don’t plan on having a baby. (Source)

According to the Ohio Capital Journal, this would apply to sex without a condom and without actually wanting to procreate. This felony would cost violators thousands of dollars, with a max of $10,000 per discharge.

This bill is modeled after a bill in the Mississippi State Senate. (Source)

Beam me up, Scotty! 

ONE MORE THING:

“LSD makes users lose weight.” That makes sense. It’s kinda hard to get to the fridge when a dragon is guarding it. 

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