Many successes for moderates

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 ending fund balance of just over $200 million — and didn't raise taxes on Montanans. We increased funding for K-12, made college more affordable by freezing college tuition and funded human services at a reasonable level. The Legislature also gave some tax relief through lowering the business equipment tax, though I would have preferred providing relief on real property like residential, commercial and agricultural property.

It's important to share that several infrastructure and building projects were approved across the state, which will help to create thousands of jobs over the upcoming years. I'm proud of my role in ensuring the new auto/diesel building at Montana State University-Northern was included in those projects.

The major disappointment occurred when the House of Representatives failed to expand health insurance to more Montanans. Several proposals would have allowed up to 70,000 Montanans to be covered, with a potential of 14,000 good-paying jobs and $650 million of economic investment in our state. As well, when the House failed to pass the property tax reappraisal bill that proposed to shorten the cycle, they left us open to a special session. The courts found our current six-year cycle unconstitutional, and I supported every effort to shorten this cycle and make the system more fair for taxpayers.

As always, I'm interested in listening to your thoughts and ideas on the legislative process. Your input ensures that citizens continue to run our democracy. Please email me online at http://leg.mt.gov/message/, call me at 406-444-4800, or write me at Montana State Senate, PO Box 200500, Helena, MT 59620.

It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of north-central Montana in the Montana Senate. I'm looking forward to being back home.

Thanks for reading — until next time.

(State Sen. Greg Jergeson, a Democrat from Chinook, represents SD 17, which includes Hill and Blaine counties. During his 31 years of service as a state senator and public service commissioner, Jergeson has served north-central and northeastern Montana, including Liberty, Hill, Chouteau and Blaine counties. He is sending a weekly "Hello from Helena" update to keep the Hi-Line informed.)