1-30-23 Monday (week 5 –70 Days left)
Having 1 month of legislative experience under my belt, my good friend, Representative Ed Butcher, asked me how I was doing. (Just a brief resume for Ed … He is from Winnett, MT, was born & raised as a rancher; later became a college professor for 10 years; a former Representative and Senator and spoke in Miles City at a Patriotic Roundtable meeting.) I told Ed it was like I went to work on his ranch a month ago, learning how to saddle the horse. Tomorrow, I will learn how to install the bridle! Every day is a new day with many things to learn, but I do know this … every vote I make, from its inception, forward, can have a huge effect on someone. The ramifications for many of these bills are huge and the responsibility, on my end, is taken very seriously.
8 am … Heard a bill that addresses medical freedom for healthcare workers. I knew this was going to be a heated debate, and, in the vernacular of a welder, “the sparks will fly.” Our Chair, Amy Rieger did a great job presenting the bill. I counted 9 proponents & 22 opponents. Among some of the proponents were Jeff Laszloffy of the Montana Family Foundation, and Dr. Al Olszewski … two heavy hitters coming out in favor of this bill. Of all the information I received about this bill, probably the best information came after the hearing, when a PA (physician’s assistant) stated that she had covid patients in her clinic and clinic protocols would not let her prescribe ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, which, in her opinion, would have cured the covid infection. So very wrong! I will be a big yes on HB303.
1 pm … Floor session started. Nothing exciting, as most of the voting was on agency bills.
3 pm … I report to the Energy Committee to hear a bill called “House Joint Resolution 3”, which condemns Russia for invading Ukraine. Many spoke in favor of the resolution and two spoke against. I believe that the political corruption in Ukraine is huge, from the top down. As I sat listening, virtually no one would even dare to ask any questions about this narrative in this meeting, I raised my hand to comment and question the bill sponsor. New at this game, I was searching for words to describe a recent conversation I had with our Matt Rosendale. I had thanked him for not voting to send $40 Billion dollars to Ukraine. During that conversation, Matt asked me if I knew what that money was used for … what Zelensky did with the $40 Billion? I replied “no” and he went on to tell me that he (Zelensky) immediately turned it all into Bit Coin, and now … POOF … its gone!! My point was during this comment was that I was questioning the corruption in this country. Oh, Boy!!! This did not go well for me! The Democrats immediately responded and I was reprimanded for several protocol mistakes, which were correct. It was the wrong time and place for the comment and I will be labeled as one of “them”, but that’s OK. Looking back, I don’t regret questioning the bill sponsor, but I could have chosen my words and style in which they were spoken, better. I was never rude or disrespectable in my comment and did express my concern for the people. I am “living and learning” every day. So, when you see that I voted against Ukraine, you now know the story behind this vote and understand my position.
1-31-23 Tuesday (Week 5)
8 am … Reported to my assigned seat on the Judiciary Committee. Heard HB 326 that has to do with changes to the Judicial Standards Commission. This commission oversees complaints about any Montana judge, and will basically make the commission partisan, allowing the Speaker of the House to pick some of the members. Right now, this works great with our current Speaker, Matt Rieger. At the moment, I think I will support this bill, as it looks like the current Democratic party is incapable of becoming the majority party, in the foreseeable future. Just some examples … If you look at some of the Democrat controlled states, you will understand my thoughts. In 2030, you will not be able to drive your car in the state of Washington unless it has an electric motor. In Minnesota, they just passed a law, making abortion a fundamental right, up to the time of birth. Because they (the Democrat Party) have moved to the far left on most all issues, many Montanans are just not “going there.” Let me know what you think.
We will have Executive Action on 5 bills, which means if they pass committee, they go on to the House floor. Representative Bob Phalen’s Library Obscenity Bill passed out of committee. The vote was 12 “Yes” and 7 “No” (these “no” votes were the minority party and one Republican) The bill will now move to the house floor. I will report back on the final vote totals.
House floor at 1, with 15 second reading bills and 14 third readings to vote on. No Agriculture committee today but went to a dinner sponsored by American Prosperity group and got to see Senator Bogner from Miles City. He is young, smart, and knows the game called “politics”. Glad he is on our side. This dinner, put on by American Prosperity, was a great meal and the program was about affordable housing from a conservative viewpoint. They discussed how to fix this problem without large government programs and money. A panel explained how this problem has been addressed by the city of Houston and some California communities, by changing zoning laws that allow for smaller size lots and multifamily dwellings. To oversimplify the situation, we need to be able to put more people in smaller spaces by making zoning laws encouraging private sector development in inner cities. The experts used Bozeman and Missoula for examples and made some very strong arguments. I like this idea much better than taking our productive agricultural land and turning it into subdivisions. Then, (for your information), I wondered how this event could happen. There were probably 20 legislators, some wives, speakers from out-of-town, and approximately 5 staff members with Americans for Prosperity. My best guess was about 40 to 50 in attendance. This event probably cost be between $5000 and $10,000. I was wondering who or how this is paid for and google provided the answer … Koch Brothers, owners of Koch Industries were the sponsors, trying to encourage free market solutions to complex problems. I was glad I could attend.
2-1-23 Wednesday (Week 5)
No bills in Judiciary Committee today, so no meetings. I took this time to catch up on my weekly report. There was a Montana record set on the House Floor today. HB 192 gave $1250 to single or $2500 to joint return taxpayers as a refund. HB 212 allows for $1,000,000 (a million) in business equipment tax exemption. HB221 revised income tax rates for capital gains and HB222 will give all property taxpayers $1000 back. HB251 is the Governors Debt Free in ’23, which pays off all debts (except the pension debt) This one never gets mentioned, as it involves $20 billion in unfunded liabilities for school and state workers retirement. Interesting, but the vote on these 4 refund bills was the same 68 to 32 ratios, with zero support from the Democrats to give any money back to the people (who actually paid). It looks like we will return a billion dollars to the people. If the Senate approves these bills, many Montanans will be seeing these refunds.
I reported to my seat on the Energy Committee, and we heard a technology bill that would require cell phone and tablet manufactures have safeguards to filter obscene material/content. The bill targets youth, as we heard several stories about the damage being done when our youngsters can have easy access to porn. The devices can be changed to allow adults to receive porn, but it will be an effort to limit porn access for our youth. Fifty percent of our youth over 11 have an iPhone. Sixty-five percent of young boys (11 to 15) that committed illegal sex acts received their first porn by accident. I don’t like government intervention in our personal lives but will vote for this bill, hopefully giving some protection for our youth. There was one opponent to the bill and of course, many proponents. He didn’t make a very strong case, so I caught up with him in the hall. He said it was him against 20 soccer moms!! He was outnumbered, to say the least.
The Mine Operator’s treated a mixed group of us to a steak dinner tonight. You would have never known that we had just squared off against each other during the floor session, just a few hours earlier. I really enjoy visiting with the folks from the minority party at the different social gathering. We all talk family, career, hobbies etc.
2-2-23 Thursday (Week 5)
A very busy legislative day for the welder/legislator. 6:30 am started with a Legislative Bible Study with Pastor Keith Johnson. The topic for today is true hope and where to get it.
8 am … Our Chairwoman strikes her gavel and calls Judiciary Committee to order. We heard, what originally looked like a very simple bill, concerning taking SNAP (food stamp) payments away from dead beat dads, get very complicated real fast. I am sure that many amendments will follow, as the minority party gets excited when anyone’s benefits disappear for any reason. I guess it’s called “balance”.
Our second bill cleared up some language in the real estate business, by formally requiring sellers to fully disclose obvious faults in a property. A great lunch was provided by the fire fighters in the Rotunda. I had lunch with Miles City Fire Fighter Casey Miller and enjoyed our time together.
12 pm … Legislative Administration Committee. This is an “on call” committee that doesn’t have a regular meeting time, but today we heard an interesting bill that would require all 100 representatives to be seated in alphabetical order instead of by party affiliation … in the interest of “kum-ba-ya”. I asked the sponsor to amend the bill to alphabetical seating except for the State of the State Address because the optics on this this major. The entire state will be able to see the minority party not stand when our Governor declares we must protect life from the beginning. During this last State of the State, NONE of the minority party stood to acknowledge that fact. I will report back on this bill after committee vote.
1 pm … Floor session starts, and we hear several bills and vote. One bill that made it to the floor was to fund suicide prevention programs. Representative Bill Mercer rose and asked to speak to the bill. Representative Mercer is a Federal Prosecutor by trade and when he speaks, I listen closely because it’s usually never an “off the cuff” remark. His comments are always well thought out and carefully presented. He spoke against the bill, telling us millions and millions are and have been spent, yet the suicide rate continues to go up every year. Representative Windy Boy, from the minority party, also spoke against the bill. Bob Keenan shared some statistics, that in spite of all the programs and money invested, the statistics continue to rise. Obviously, money can’t fix everything. Representative Nelly Nicol showed incredible courage and shared that she had voted FOR the bill in committee, but after hearing all the comments she would change her vote to “NO”. An eye-opening experience, to me. This has been an incredible journey, to watch this process and spend a lot of time with a group of people that exemplify what made Montana and America the greatest place on earth to live. So very proud of these people and you all should be, too. That bill passed 64 to 35 despite all that effort, with me being a “NO” vote.
3 pm … I made a bill presentation to the Senate, Dept. of Revenue. This bill was to change payment dates. To be sure, it won’t make the papers! 10 minutes and it was over. I then headed to the Agriculture Committee meeting that meets at 3 on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. (I was little late because of my previous presentation) The bill was about our meat industry and the country-of-origin labels. They want to use place-cards in stores, to identify where the meat comes from. We heard some serious opposition from the retailers. Nichole Rolf (Miles City) representing Farm Bureau, testified against this. MT Stockgrowers testified against, and Brandon Ler, a rancher and Representative out of Savage (near Sidney) also testified against it. We got a presentation from Representative Braxton Mitchell, relaying that this was not the way to do this … you quickly see that your vote is very important and effects many people.
Headed to the Ante Room, just outside of the House chamber, for a Meet & Greet. The Director of Agriculture from Saskatchewan was here, and I got to meet and shake hands with him … pretty cool!
Finished up the day by attending the Well Drillers Association Gathering at the Delta Hotel. I’m guessing about 450 people were in attendance. It was a great event, and I was able to sit with Doug Askin, from Miles City. Back in the day, I coached Doug in high school wrestling, and he worked for me after class. The end of a very busy, but good day.
2-3-23 Friday (Week 5)
7:15 am … Majority Leader, Sue Vinton, met with all freshman legislators in the bullpen (capitol basement). Our Majority Leader is a real professional in every way. She is there early, well prepared, very approachable, and has comments for every Freshman that carries a bill. I have carried 2 agency bills, which means I have made 6 presentations.
1. Committee hearing, and if passes, onto …
2. House floor in front of all 100 representatives. Then …
3. If it passes on the House Floor, it goes to a committee on the Senate side for a hearing. I am done, at this point, because only senators can present in the Senate Chamber. If the bill passes in the Senate, it goes to the Governor’s desk. If he signs the bill, it now becomes a new Montana law. A long, slow process, but necessary.
8 am … Our Chairwoman lowers her gavel, and the hearings begin before the Judiciary Committee. Representative Denise Baum presents her bill that would increase funding for crisis intervention training. This would be a 40-hour training that helps law enforcement diffuse emotionally charged situations. Approximately forty percent of law enforcement calls are emotionally charged situations, so it’s an important training. Senator Barry Usher was the first proponent. Most of us in Eastern Montana knows or know of Senator Usher. He owns Beartooth Harley in Billings and a Mahindra Dealer. He is a former Representative and a huge supporter of the Colstrip Power Plants and Mine. Senator Usher is also an unashamed conservative that can tell it like it is, and not take long to do it! Got to love Barry Usher. He does a great job sharing that seventy five percent of jail inmates have mental issues, mostly from addiction. And in typical Senator Barry Usher style, says we will get the money from the marijuana tax, as they are the ones mostly responsible for this problem … so let’s make them pay for it! Only Senator Usher could testify as a bill proponent, say it like it is, and not get one raised question of criticism. I’m pretty sure it will leave the Judiciary Committee with a 19-0 vote. The minority party will most likely support this 100%, along with the Republicans.
The next bill was also very interesting and was presented by Representative Ed Stafman, a Jewish Rabi out of Bozeman and a member of the minority party. The bill would allow non-profits, that work with cancer patients, to discriminate against non-vaccinated patients and employees. Here we go, again, on this one. The idea is that their cancer patients are immune compromised because of the cancer. No one is going to argue that point, but they go on to say that the non-vaccinated bunch carry a lot more “killer germs” than vaccinated people and become a threat of death to these vaccinated cancer patients. They, also, do not want to accommodate non-vaccinated cancer patients, and only associate with them by video. Now, this is America, and we have the right to free speech so here it goes with my rant. For quite a few years now, we have heard the words “safe and effective”. Our entire planet has echoed these words … We have seen 2 Presidents repeat these words … we have seen our top medical officials utter these words and we have seen 2 Montana governors utter these same words and even pose for pictures as they receive this “safe and effective” vaccine. The media is all in with these two words and it seems we cannot escape them. Many of my constituent’s question is, “ … just because we hear these two words over and over again, does that, in fact, make them true?”
In Eastern Montana, I have seen that people generally like to do their own thinking and come to their own conclusions. Many of us are super friendly, but also very suspicious, of a government program designed to eradicate a disease, that is like prior flu outbreaks, BUT has over a 99% survival rate!! There is no wrong in questioning what is going on right now. I have personally witnessed many health-related issues and even deaths, that have gone in conjunction with these vaccines. But they tell me that there is nothing to see here! These are the people that I represent, and these are the people that sent me to Helena. It will be a resounding “NO” vote by this Representative on my fellow Representative, Ed Stafman’s bill. (Sorry about the rant, just couldn’t help it!!)
At 11:00 am … I joined a small group of legislators and walked across the street to view the total renovation of the Montana Historical Society building. This has been a four-year construction job on this huge, complex building. It is in a prime location and easy walking distance from the capitol. THIS will be a “must see by every Montana resident, and yes, I did ask. It has already been fully funded. Dennis Washington, who owns Montana Rail Link, donated $25 Million. Along with many other large donations, this renovation was made possible. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be two years from now.
I headed back to the capitol and grabbed a ham sandwich in the Rotunda, paid for by the Educators of Montana. 1:00 Floor Session starts like it has for over 100 years, with a prayer by a volunteer Representative followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. We will work and vote on several bills, take care of some announcements and adjourn at 2:30. With no Energy Committee today, I will head to the bullpen and do a little catching up. I made an “appointment” to meet up with Representatives Lee Deming, Bob Phalen and Terry Moore at the Suds Hut. A good time visiting with all of them. Terry Moore, is former CFO from 1st Interstate Bank Systems and a veteran legislator, Lee Deming is an Educator out of Laurel and Bob Phalen is a Farmer-Rancher out of Lindsay near Glendive and me, the local welder guy!! A great way to end week 5 of my Legislative career.
