Legislature stayed busy during session
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As I pressed the green “Yes” button, voting to adjourn for good Thursday night, I thought of the volume of bills that had come up for a red or a green vote during the last three months. This session 1,179 bills were introduced. As of this writing, 277 have made it into law. About 600 were either tabled or missed the deadline. There are a couple hundred more awaiting Governor’s final action. I should be able to give further information on those bills next week.
We cut government spending – we were tasked with balancing a budget that was heading for a $300 million deficit. You can imagine the hard choices and unpopular decisions that had to be made. Inflationary increases had been added, but between 2008 and 2010, Montana individual income tax revenue dropped 18 percent and corporate income tax dropped 44 percent. Funding for schools, higher education, social programs, our prison system and state government was in the “warning” status, according to weekly reports generated by Legislative Fiscal Division. Taking action, we reduced the overall budget over 6 percent. Administrators will have to do their own careful budgeting now, but Montana can pay its bills. We anticipate a $175 million reserve – about 2.5 percent – which folks should agree is very prudent.
State checkbook going online – thanks to the passage of a Republican bill, the state’s checkbook will go online so you can see where your money goes.
Montana is a good place to do business – we lowered business equipment tax to make Montana more business-friendly. Worker compensation overhaul is now in progress which will place Montana among our neighboring states as far as the program cost/benefit ratio. A small premium assessment will go toward reducing the notorious “Old Fund” to manage that liability sensibly. But the net savings to employers will be over 22 percent.
Medical marijuana reform, you’ve heard that Senate Bill 423‘s reform of our current medical marijuana situation was debated in its final version. It’s on the governor’s desk as I write this.
Health care and insurance reform – many of this session’s bills intended to make health care and insurance more affordable for Montanans. Our fear is that the federal health care reform will put a huge financial burden on Montana and its families. I carried a bill in the Senate to accelerate a study on alternatives to mandated federal health insurance.
Sensible resource development – throughout this session, I’ve advocated for bills that would create jobs in resource industries. After debating more amendments, it’s likely mining will see an easing of permitting delays, without any reduction in public or environmental review.
Montana Legislature is totally transparent, and you can still access it at http://leg.mt.gov to see session archives and the final resolution of all bills this session.
Truly, it has been an honor and privilege to serve the 18,800 folks in Senate District 6 during the 62nd session. I look forward to seeing you now that I’m back home. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
