Powers reflects on Legislative Week

“Drinking from a fire hose.” This is the term that I heard many times to describe what it is like to be a new legislator. After spending the past week in Helena at Legislative Week, I have to agree. Since I was appointed in November to fill the seat vacated by Zac Perry, I am the newest Montana legislator. During Legislative Week, I was immersed in complicated topics about revenue, budgeting, infrastructure (and much more) until I did, in fact, feel like I was drinking from a fire hose.

Legislative Week was envisioned as a time for legislators to (1) think and talk about issues without the pressure of pending bills and the frantic activity of the regular legislative session, (2) make connections which would foster better working relationships, (3) get some training on overarching issues like revenue and budgeting, and (4) hold interim committee meetings when non-member legislators could observe. In my opinion, Legislative Week was a tremendous success. It was especially good for a new legislator like me.

The issue that received a lot of attention and comment from legislators concerned whether legislative sessions should be held annually or remain as it is with the legislative session occurring every two years. Many pros and cons were discussed, but I believe that the overwhelming majority of legislators are clear that changing the current process would require a constitutional amendment voted on by the people. The Montana Constitution states very clearly that the legislature will meet bi-annually for 90 days. However, even without changing to annual sessions, many people offered thoughtful suggestions for how to improve the workings of the legislature … and continuing to have Legislative Week in the off-years was one of those suggestions. In addition, the current practice of having interim committees between the bi-annual sessions provides time for legislators to delve into issues in a bipartisan way.

Legislative Week gave me a look into the world of statewide policy making. I saw a group of hard-working people committed to public service and willing to spend countless hours in meetings listening to testimony from experts and citizens and viewing extensive data in the form of charts, graphs, and reports in order to better inform their decision-making. I saw a group of people who are committed to Montana and its citizens and I was proud to be a part of this group.

Debo Powers represents House District 3