4-29-23 By the time most of you read this, I hope to be home on a tractor or sprayer! Fortunately, Brett and Boomer are putting seeds in the ground while we wrap up business in the 68th Legislative...

Where to start? It’s a rush to the end. Day 79 is in the books. It’s that point in the session when the can can’t be kicked down the road much longer. Typically there may be several bills that...

I hope everyone had a Blessed Easter. Friday after a morning floor session, Appropriations Committee, and informal appropriations get together, we were out for Easter break! After a quick change of...

One of my top priorities this legislative session has been to provide financial relief to Montana taxpayers as families throughout our state are struggling with inflation and the high cost of living....

4-1-23 Happy birthday Granddaughter Kass, six years old April 1! It’s been a full week, starting with the floor session last Saturday. Most days this week typically started at 7:15 or so with whip... Full story

3-24-23 Legislative day 56, Tuesday March 21st we convened our Floor session at 8 a.m. to begin presentation and debate on House Bill 2, which I described last week in some detail. HB2 is the...

In recent years talk of defunding the police has been popular in other states, but our Montana values run contrary to that line of thinking. We believe in supporting those who put their lives on the...

3-18-23 It was a privilege this morning, Saturday March 18, to attend the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. It wasn’t held last legislative session because of Covid. The organizers were especially...

3-10-23 As noted last week, transmittal break began Friday March 3rd. Sunday afternoon I was able to attend a legislative forum in Miles City sponsored by their local Patriot Group. It was great to...

3-3-23 After a short morning floor session and 71 3rd reading bills, we adjourned the 45th legislative day and began transmittal break. First fun thing about this break is to knock out a short report...

2-24-23 President’s Day, Monday February 20th our floor session was dedicated to listening to our Congressional delegation. It was interesting to hear four different perspectives on the state of...

2-17-23 This week saw appropriations section c wrap up business for this legislative session. We approved the budgets of our respective departments. The next step in the process will be for me as...

One of my top priorities this legislative session is strengthening Montana’s position against hostile foreign nations like China. National security is primarily a responsibility of the federal...

2-10-23 As predicted, the days of 90 or 100 – 0 votes on the floor are going to be fewer and fewer as the session goes on. Monday started off with HB252 by Karlan that would have created another...

1-3-23 This week started off with nasty roads for many returning to the Capitol from home, tis the season! One nice thing about being a greater distance from home, I tend to not be on the roads. Fish... Full story

With the first month behind us in the Montana Legislature I wanted to take the time to send an update from Helena. It has been a busy and productive few weeks. As President Pro Tempore and part of...

1-28-23 January is quickly coming to a close! We capped off the week in Appropriations by passing out of committee several significant tax bills. A bill to increase the tax exemption on business...

1-20-2023 I failed to mention last week, we enjoyed a visit to our appropriations subcommittee, from conservation districts across the State. Steve Wanderaas, McCone County and Dean Rogge, Garfield Co...

1-13-23 Friday evening already, another busy week in the bag. I may have failed to mention last week, I carried 2 bills for the Department of Transportation. The first bill I presented to the Transpor... Full story

January 6, 2023 - Swearing in kicked off the 68th session of the Montana Legislature. First of all, an apology. When the 67th session closed I wrote my last report. I intended to report interim activi...