News you can use
News you can use
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Having not forgotten the lessons I learned as your Public Service Commissioner for eight years, I always read with interest the reports on what the two current candidates for PSC District #1 are saying to the voters in their campaign. I was startled and appalled at the complete disregard for the facts demonstrated by one of those two candidates when he promised a heavenly nirvana of low cost electricity and high government revenues by building coal-fired plants on the Hi-Line...
Editor, During all my years serving Havre in the Montana Senate and observing my colleagues in the Legislature, I learned a great deal about the qualities that make an effective legislator on behalf of his or her local district. As I have gotten to know Jacob Bachmeier, candidate for House District 28, I have been impressed with his complete commitment to what is best for the people of Havre, his constituents. I’ve found his approach to issues is informed by your input, feedback and advice. I believe that Jacob will not f...
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to share breakfast with two groups of amazing young leaders: Montana 4-H, and the Young Stockgrowers of Montana. I'm proud to say the Young Stockgrowers had a formidable north-central Montana delegation. I appreciated the chance to listen to their fresh perspectives, and plans for their futures. Talking to them was a great reminder of what I heard when I knocked on doors and talked to community members last summer. The legislative session is about getting things done for Montanans,...
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to share breakfast with two groups of amazing young leaders: Montana 4-H, and the Young Stockgrowers of Montana. I'm proud to say the Young Stockgrowers had a formidable north-central Montana delegation. I appreciated the chance to listen to their fresh perspectives, and plans for their futures. Talking to them was a great reminder of what I heard when I knocked on doors and talked to community members last summer. The legislative session is about getting things done for Montanans,...
Jergeson This regular session of the Legislature concluded with the adjournment of the Montana Senate at about 3p.m. Wednesday, during the 87th day, three days early. The moderate center from both parties continued to hold throughout the final days and hours of the session despite the efforts of the radicals to crash the proceedings. To the extent I had a small part in forging that essential center among legislators, I consider the session to have been a success. We succeeded in balancing the budget, leaving a reasonable...
Would you believe that the Senate Taxation Committee would get a letter from the ambassador from Lichtenstein claiming that Montana tax laws are an insult to his country? And would you believe that the largest association supposedly representing Montana businesses would suggest that letter is evidence that Montana has a hostile business climate? Never mind that the topic about which those claims are made is one small part of an obscure little Montana law that gives a big income tax break to large, international corporations...
As we near the midsession break, I thought I'd offer a few observations about the legislative process this session. People frequently ask me if I notice any differences from the earlier periods when I served in the Senate. Some things are much the same as they were in those years of my previous service. Most of the members are genuinely interested in good public policy, although they may have fierce disagreements about just what should pass as good public policy. I believe there has been a concerted effort this session to be...
Frequently, any legislative session is compared to a chess match. There are a huge number of moving parts. There are numerous players, with skill levels ranging from master to no skills at all. The challenge isn't so much whether one party or the other can secure checkmate against the other, but that the elusive goal of finishing our business within the allotted 90 days, balancing the budget and making sure that the services provided by government are done with value to the taxpayers who foot the bills. Sen. Greg Jergeson It...
Every two years, our citizen legislature meets for 90 days. As your state senator, I wanted to update you on the start of the legislative session, share some perspective on the first days, and let you know how we can stay in touch and engaged over the upcoming months. So far, legislators have maintained a civil approach to one another and with the new governor, Steve Bullock. Even when differences emerge, I hope that civility continues to prevail. Over the upcoming months, you'll be hearing a lot from me about making sure we...
Every two years, our citizen legislature meets for 90 days. As your state senator, I wanted to update you on the start of the legislative session, share some perspective on the first days, and let you know how we can stay in touch and engaged over the upcoming months. So far, legislators have maintained a civil approach to one another and with the new governor, Steve Bullock. Even when differences emerge, I hope that civility continues to prevail. Over the upcoming months, you'll be hearing a lot from me about making sure we...
This session, we are being treated to a number of bills proposing to simplify the Montana income tax system. Nearly everyone agrees with the basic premise of simplification. However, when an actual bill is proposed, the devil is in the details. One bill we have been grappling with in the Senate Taxation Committee on the topic, SB 282, proposes to replace the current Montana list of credits, deductions, and additions on the Montana form and replace it with the federal schedules instead. While the federal income tax regime is f...
On Feb. 9, Barb and I had the pleasure of attending the annual Montana State University-Northern "We Love Northern Ball" at the Northern gymnasium in Havre. This annual event has, for many years, been a great source of vital scholarships that enable so many students to attend Northern. The evening proved a great opportunity to visit with many of the public-spirited community members who tirelessly give of themselves to promote the great educational institution that Northern is. Chancellor Jim Limbaugh and I were able to...
Friday, April 5, the Senate found itself mired in an angry dispute between the two parties. The majority was seen to be railroading several pieces of legislation in a manner that disregarded proper rules of public notice and procedure. The minority reacted by attempting a little-used parliamentary motion called "Call of the Senate." The situation deteriorated. Greg Jergeson As dean of the Montana Senate, an institution that I revere beyond measure, disappointment is the only word that can describe my feelings about the...
There's an old adage, "What goes around, comes around." That old adage frequently manifests itself during any legislative session. And it has just done so again, in spades. When our new governor announced at the end of December his modifications to the budget prepared by his predecessor, the majority party leadership roundly criticized the governor for proposing an increase of 13 percent in the state budget. As that majority party leadership criticized the governor for his spending increases, they promised to hold any...
The highlight of this week's proceedings was the traditional State of the State address delivered by our new governor, Steve Bullock. His address was followed by the response delivered by Rep. Austin Knudsen from Culbertson. Legislators from both parties, including me, listened carefully and respectfully to both speeches. As a frequent judge at high school speech meets, I would give both high marks for delivery and message. I believe that Gov. Bullock succeeded in offering a positive way forward for Montana, growing jobs,...
Earlier, this session, I had written about my concern about the high level of absenteeism among some members of the Senate, especially their attendance and participation at the committees to which they had been assigned. Particularly troublesome, to me, was the absentee record on the Public Health, Welfare and Safety Committee, of which I am a member. The chairman of the committee has barely attended half of the meetings of the committee he is chair of. The majority leader of the Senate is a member of the committee and is...
