Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:

• The Nine Senators
• Sanitation Rate Increase
• Hands Off Rallies
• One More Thing

 

THE NINE SENATORS:

The circus with many clowns is continuing in Helena.

The Executive Board of the Montana Republican Party is outraged with nine Republican State Senators because they voted with the Democrats on some bills in the Montana Legislature this session.

Since the nine voted with the Democrats on some bills, that prevented the state senate from “sticking it to the man” as much as they wanted. 

Those nine state senators are:

Jason Ellsworth, SD43; Wendy McKamey, SD12; Gayle Lammers, SD21; Josh Kassmier, SD13; Butch Gillespie, SD9; Gregg Hunter, SD15; Denley Loge, SD45; Russ Tempel, SD14; and Shelley Vance, SD34. 

And here is the punishment…

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Executive Committee of the MTGOP makes it be known that:

1. The Nine Senators be censured for their collective, willful, and continual
   alignment with the Democrat Party throughout the 69th Legislative Session;
2. The Nine Senators are no longer considered by the MTGOP as Republicans for the damage they have exacted on the Montana Senate by undermining the Republican Senate leadership, the Republican Party, and the will of the Montana Republican voters;
3. The MTGOP Executive Board unanimously no longer supports the Nine Senators because they have disqualified themselves as speaking on behalf of Montana Republicans; and
4. The Montana Republican Party will withhold any future political funding for the Nine Senators. (Source)
   

I commend these nine state senators for putting the state above the party. Political parties are hated these days. Both parties are viewed more unfavorably than favorably (Source).

I live in SD 12 and applaud Wendy McKamey for representing her constituents well. I’ve never voted for her, but I might change my mind in the next election.

SANITATION RATE INCREASE:

The Electric reported late Thursday that the City Commission was considering sanitation rate increases in Great Falls. 

According to The Electric:

Staff are proposing an 8 percent residential increase for each of the next two years, one this summer, another next summer, and a 10 percent commercial rate increase for the same two years. If approved, the rate increases will go into effect June 1.

If I had a vote on this request, it would be a NO. Although the increases may not look like much on paper, it seems the government at all levels is sticking it to us in every way imaginable. 

I think the city commission will approve the request. They are like sheep following the department heads. 

HANDS OFF RALLIES:

It was great to see so many people participating in the “Hands Off” rallies all across the fruited plains on Saturday. Since I am recovering from knee surgery, I was unable to attend, but I followed along on social media. 

I saw one report that stated “Around 10,000 Montanans showed up” for the event. (Source) Nationwide, millions participated. 

I loved reading some of the signs at the event. 

The best way to gauge the effect of the protests was the whining of the MAGAs on social media. They claimed people were paid and that the rallies were fake. They were frustrated with the coverage from the press. 

Deep down, the MAGAs should be worried. The Republicans will lose the majority in the U.S. House if this trend continues.  

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump was playing golf, and I heard he won his club championship over the weekend. Our President (Dear Leader) is such a fine athlete and great golfer! Congratulations. 

ONE MORE THING:

“This depression is going to be so great that we’ll be the ones eating the cats and dogs.” -Saturday Night Live (Opening) 

## HAVE A GREAT WEEK ##