I’m back! Here are the topics that recently caught my eye:

• Trump’s Tariffs
• Aquatic & Recreation Center
• Legislator Pay Raise
• State Senator Jason Ellsworth
• Back in the Saddle
• One More Thing

TRUMP’S TARIFFS:

Wow. Thursday was not a good day for the stock market or the USA. It was disastrous. According to the Associated Press (AP):

The S&P 500 sank 4.8%, more than in major markets across Asia and Europe, for its worst day since the pandemic crashed the economy in 2020. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1,679 points, or 4%, and the Nasdaq composite tumbled 6%.

Here is a chart from Reuters right after the stock markets closed on Thursday:

After the markets closed, Trump said, “I think it’s going very well—The MARKETS are going to BOOM…”

I don’t know if he means a good boom or a bad boom. 

I think it’s fair to point out that Trump has declared bankruptcy six times. (Source) I don’t believe he can be trusted to run our economy. 

AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTER:

Montana Right Now reports that the Great Falls City Commission voted 3-2 to waive fees for military training at the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center (SAHBS). Mayor Reeves, Commissioner Susan Wolff, and Commissioner Joe McKenney voted for the resolution. Commissioners Shannon Wilson and Rick Tryon voted against.

I don’t have a problem with waiving the training fees. I wonder what training they are doing at the new aquatics center that can’t be done at their indoor pool on base. They also have an outdoor pool on base. 

One of the things I noticed when I came to Malmstrom AFB was how much the community supported the military. This was also highly evident when I worked as U.S. Senator Conrad Burns’ Malmstrom Liaison after I exited the military. The leaders in the city and county need to continue this support. 

The Electric has a report about the issue HERE. 

LEGISLATOR PAY RAISE:

In case you missed it, NBC Montana reported that members of the Montana House and Senate will be receiving substantial pay increases over the next few years. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill into law that gives Montana state employees and lawmakers a pay raise.

I have no issue with the state employees getting a pay raise, but I do for lawmakers.  

NBC Montana reports:

Future state lawmakers will also get a raise from their current pay rate of $10.33 an hour starting in the 2027 legislative session.

Under the new law, legislators will get paid 80% of the average state wage of all industries in January 2027.

In January 2029, lawmakers’ pay will be raised to 100% of the average state hourly wage, which is currently $27.90.

I believe that pay raises for lawmakers should be approved by the taxpayers. 

STATE SENATOR JASON ELLSWORTH:

I see that the Montana State Senate finally nailed Republican State Senator Jason Ellsworth. Ironically, the deed was completed on April Fool’s Day.

According to the Montana Free Press (MTFP):

The Senate voted 44 to 6 to censure the Hamilton Republican, who has survived three different expulsion votes since mid-March, each failing to reach the two-thirds majority necessary to pass.

It was also reported that as part of the censure, Ellsworth was banned from the Senate floor for life and removed from all his committees. He can vote remotely. 

I don’t really care about the Ellsworth circus. I do believe if the State Senate needed his vote, they would not have gone this far. It’s all politics all the time in Helena. The poor leadership in this session is comical to watch. 

BACK IN THE SADDLE:

I had knee surgery on March 26 (torn meniscus), so I was out of action for a while. 

Since The Western Word world headquarters is located deep underground in a bunker, I was advised by my surgeon to stay away from stairs for a week or so. 

I use a desktop PC to write and post this blog. I know I should use a laptop, and I have on occasion used one, but it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks. 

I hope to be back to my normal posting soon. 

ONE MORE THING:

Trump just announced he was banning pre-shredded cheese. 

He’s gonna make America grate again.

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##