Legislative Report

 


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 Session. At this point, committee work is done for most members, leaving only Floor session work as the formal task. Of course, there is still a lot of behind-the-scenes lobbying going on for the policy bills still with unfinished business.

On the appropriations side of the coin that I’m most involved with, there are significant funding and expenditure decisions to be made. House Bill Two, HB2, the main budget vehicle, is finally headed back to the House with some changes the Senate made. Hopefully the changes won’t be significant enough to force opening that bill back up. There are several other significant capital works type bills that did see significant changes in the Senate. None of these bills are coming back to the House smaller. Some of our Senate members decided to become pork producers while they had the opportunity. The Governor may have to exercise some Executive surgery with his pen. That is a benefit of his line item veto authority.

We have had, by and large, a successful session thus far. Fortunately, we have been able to enact laws that will send back significant amounts of over budget collections of taxes. Most tax paying Montanans will see significant reductions in their income tax rate going forward, as well as reductions in the amount of business equipment subject to tax. While about 83% of property taxes are levied on the local level, there will be some relief there based on changes made in this session.

While much has been done, most of what you likely have heard recently has been overshadowed by the actions of a representative from Missoula. I touched on the issue last week but it has since escalated. Monday, the 24th, a well planned and funded event was staged by people from several states, to disrupt the business of your legislature. While I can’t give you a first hand account because I was attending a funeral in Missoula that afternoon, I can relate the facts probably better than any you may see in a typical news story.

It has been a tale of concessions since before we convened in January. The women of the Legislature have had to put up with, in their restrooms, this guy pretending to be a gal, for openers. The “blood on your hands” statement was actually Zephyr’s fourth violation this session. Very few legislators violate decorum on the floor, but those that do usually quickly apologize to the Body. Zephyr was given three previous free passes, on the fourth an apology was requested. Zephyr refused the opportunity. This led to his loss of speaking privileges on the Floor. He is the one silencing himself.

Representative Zephyr lost his privilege of being on the Floor for the irresponsible act of encouraging the riot for nearly 30 minutes, jeopardizing the safety of others, and disrupting the people’s business.

This selfish act cost the State significant $ in law enforcement, including riot police needed to protect staff, the other representatives, and the Capitol itself. The rioters also left, as they typically do, their professionally prepared signs and other garbage in the Capitol and strewn across the lawn.

Representative Howell, identifies as non-binary, yet is always respectful and professional. Howell is a clear example that the Zephyr charade is nothing more than an effort in self-aggrandizement.

Most of you probably have recognized this for what it is, and another example of the importance of finding a trustworthy and reliable source of news. It was disappointing to not see one Democrat with the courage to step up and condemn the poor behavior, some even praised it.

I hope to be seeing friends and neighbors soon. Til then be brave, be safe, be proud to be an American!

For Freedom, Representative Jerry Schillinger, (406) 974-2478, [email protected]

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024