Breweries, education, water on Salomon’s plate
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With only three weeks left before the transmittal date that most bills must transfer from one body of the Legislature to the other, the pace has picked up.
We heard about the issues that Montana’s small breweries, tavern owners and distributors are still having. They have spent a couple of years in working out a compromise, which is HB326. There are still several issues dealing with the ability of parties involved to get dual licenses ability. I would like to see an agreement between all the parties that would allow the small brewing industry to grow while protecting the tavern owners.
In education we have passed a funding bill for K-12 education through the House, we will hear a bill to raise the bonding ability of school districts and another run will be taken to allow guns on school grounds. We heard another attempt to put into code a bullying bill. This is already a requirement by OPI. The success or failure of any schools bullying policy is tied to how effective local school administration and staff is at following or implementing their own policies.
I voted for two tax cut bills. One was for property tax relief and another for income tax relief. I was also the only Republican who voted against HB 201. This bill will reduce by 5 mills the state equalization aid levy for K-12 education. This sounds good except that HB 201 will require other existing general fund revenue sources to supplant the loss in equalized state support for schools to maintain statutory funding levels for K-12 BASE aid. This is a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I want real opportunity for some tax relief not a publicity stunt.
The water compact is now a Senate bill and will be heard next Monday in Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Vincent (R-Libby) who chaired the Water Policy Interim Committee is carrying the bill. He has done a excellent job of getting information out to legislators so they can get answers to the many questions that arise.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me their views on issues as they arise. I can be contacted at:dansalomon12@gmail.com
