Salomon recounts short week in legislature
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This has been a short week with only two active legislative days. We did hear and pass on second reading a bill that would allow the sale of raw milk in Montana.
Medicaid expansion has moved to the top of the charts as the biggest issue. The Governor’s bill was heard on Friday and immediately given a “Do Not Pass” motion by the House Health and Human Services committee. There are probably not enough votes to stop this motion so his bill will probably die. There are two more Medicaid bills that will come into play soon. Senator Buttery has introduced his bill and it should get a hearing in the next couple of weeks. It brings a lot of Republican concerns to the table along with a unique funding formula.
The CSKT Water Compact is now in the House after easily passing the Senate. The political games with the rules have begun and will likely overshadow the actual debate on the compact itself. It is unfortunate that something this important is not being allowed to be considered on its own merits, but instead on how well the rules can be manipulated.
The budget hearings are winding up and the full House will hear the budget bill (HB2) next week. There will be lots of talk about Early Edge Childhood education, infrastructure spending, Health and Human Services spending and probably whether the state should keep the Governor’s airplane.
Thank you for your inputs. I can be reached at: dansalomon12@gmail.com.
