Setting some goals for the session

Scott Reichner

The Republican and Democratic leaders met to establish the House and Senate Rules. The House and Senate Republican leaders also set seven goals for this session. They are: Live within our means, stop the property tax increase, responsible natural resource development, openness in government, keep energy costs low, real solutions for education, and thinking long term. We believe those are principles that all the people of Montana will support, and we’re confident about accomplishing them.

As many of you know there are 100 House members and 50 Senate members. In this session we have a split House with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. This means that the committees in the House are all split 50/50. It will be interesting to see how many bills, which are of significant partisan nature, will be able to make it out of any House committee. The Senate is controlled by the Republicans.

On Friday there was a joint meeting of both the House and Senate, and we were able to hear from U. S. Senator Jon Tester. The Flathead delegation met with him following his remarks to discuss his efforts in encouraging Columbia Falls Aluminum Company to re-work their contract with Bonneville Power to keep people working at the plant. Both parties seem to be very concerned about the job losses in the Flathead and seem to be working together to provide a solution.

Soon we will begin to hear the bills as they begin to come through committee. Last session there were some 1,600 bills that hit committee and about 500 that made it to the governor’s desk. With a split house we may have a different outcome.

This truly is your legislature. Please follow the proceedings at www.leg.mt.gov where you can contact all the legislators, and actually watch the House in action. You are also welcome to email me at sreichner@centurytel.net with any of your concerns or comments. If you would prefer to call, I can be reached at 253-3929.