Legislature wraps up productive session
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The 63rd legislative session did the work needed to address long-term issues and create a strong foundation for Montanans and our businesses to thrive. This session started with a large cash balance but also lots of unpaid bills that were left for this session to clean up. A veto from last session left a bill for $118 million that had to be paid.
Responsible Republicans delivered on their priority of funding public education. We helped schools recover from the Great Recession; we empowered local trustees with more responsibility for decisions; we gave new tools to teachers and parents to help individualize instruction for students; and we stood firm that everyone, from the remedial to the gifted, be given more opportunity to achieve.
We provided raises to state employees who haven’t seen one in six years. They didn’t get everything that had been negotiated with the past governor, but we did ensure that our state employees are paid fairly. We eliminated 430 positions in government through attrition.
We addressed Montana’s pension issues, sharing the burden while protecting as much of the promise to retirees as possible. Due to pension liabilities, Montana was facing possible bankruptcy. In the last couple of sessions, the legislature ignored the problem and the pensions continued to grow debt. Responsible Republicans provided a real solution for a real problem in spite of angry resistance.
Montana is the treasure state. Reasonable Republicans in the legislature have and will continue to support the wise use of our natural resources, whether its coal, gas and oil, timber or agriculture. The taxes generated by these endeavors finance much-needed programs throughout our state. We continued to work on the management of large predators and made efforts to heal the rift between landowners and sportsmen.
We simplified our Montana income tax structure to make it fair and flat. Many loopholes and tax credits were closed. Business investment will be encouraged by continuing to lower the business equipment tax. In addition to making these investments in Montana, our final budget invests in infrastructure and job creation by funding regional water systems, sewer projects, roads, and colleges and libraries. We helped our oil impact areas. We have a structurally balanced budget that will include a $180 million ending fund balance.
Republican’s values are about ensuring a smart government; one that does only what is required and stays out of the way whenever possible. We addressed today’s problems and invested in a bright future for Montana.
I thank you for the opportunity to be your representative in Helena over the past few months. If you have any questions or have comments, please contact me at dansalomon12@gmail.com.
