As we wrap up February, here are the topics that caught my eye this week: 

• Flathead Warming Center
• Medicaid Expansion
• Recreational Marijuana
• Caught My Eye
• House Budget Resolution
• One More Thing

FLATHEAD WARMING CENTER:

The Montana Free Press (MTFP) reports that the city of Kalispell has tentatively agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the Flathead Warming Center after its conditional use permit was revoked last year. The settlement, which still needs to be approved by the city council next week, calls for Kalispell to pay $140,000 for the warming center’s legal fees and publicly apologize to its executive director, who had been falsely accused of misleading city officials. 

The $140,000 will go a long way in helping the shelter house the homeless.  

I support the Flathead Warming Center 100%. You can donate to the Center by clicking HERE. 

There have been several attacks on the homeless population in Montana. It has happened in Great Falls, where officials wanted the homeless out of sight when they started camping at a local church. Plus, there were unfounded rumors about illegal immigrants in the Flathead area. 

MEDICAID EXPANSION:

Lee Newspapers is reporting that House Bill 245, (Medicaid Expansion) a continuation of expansion and its coverage of 77,000 low-income Montanans, cleared its final legislative hurdle Thursday, advancing from the GOP-majority Senate on a vote of 30 to 20. It eliminates the policy sunset for Medicaid expansion in statute, though the Legislature can elect to fund the program or not every two years through the appropriations process. 

Congratulations to State Representative Ed Buttrey for guiding this legislation through the State House and State Senate. Thanks to all the legislators who supported the bill. I hope Buttrey runs for a statewide office. 

The bill now awaits Governor Greg Gianforte’s signature. If he has a heart, he should sign the bill into law. 

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA:

In case you didn’t know, the sale of recreational marijuana in Montana began on January 1, 2022. Voters approved the sale of recreational marijuana with a vote of 57% approving it and 43% being against it. I voted for it.

Even before that time, the self-righteous Republicans in the Montana legislature tried to place roadblocks in its way. 

These attacks continue today. One bill,  Senate Bill 443, from Republican Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson, would cap the potency of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in any marijuana-derived product at 15%. Marijuana flower is currently limited at 35% THC, while concentrates do not have a percentage cap. THC is the intoxicating chemical in marijuana and marijuana products. (Source)  

The legislators should leave marijuana alone. The voters have spoken. 

CAUGHT MY EYE:

It’s hard to believe, but this is the 726th “Caught My Eye” column. The first one was published on July 23, 2010. (Link)

I normally use the column to write about things I did not have time to write about during the week. With all the craziness in the state and country, I also use the column to talk about breaking news.

As always, thanks for reading! 

HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION:

In case you missed it, the House Budget Resolution passed the House with a vote of 217-215-1. Of course. Montana’s two Republican U.S. Representatives (Zinke and Downing) voted for the resolution. (Source)  

The cable news shows went wild over the passage. They talked about the contents of the bill to death. It was nauseating. 

Everyone should calm down about this bill. It is a long way from the finish line. The Senate has to pass a bill. Then the House and Senate will then negotiate the final bill (Conference) which I guarantee will be different from the House bill. The President will have to agree and sign the final product. 

ONE MORE THING:

How to politely tell someone they’re stupid…

Wisdom has been chasing you but you’ve always been faster. 

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##