Transmittal break underway

We just completed the first half of Montana’s 68th legislative session. This week had a few long days as we made our way to transmittal. Wednesday and Thursday were particularly stressful days as they were both right at 12 hours on the floor taking action on over 150 bills that had to get to the House before transmittal or die. At times, it can become a bit tense during marathon sessions like we had.

I would say that some good things have come this session thus far. We passed legislation to get more money to schools. When we got to Helena in January, the state was somewhere over 400 teachers short, not to mention the non-teacher and transportation staff shortages. Additionally, we have provided more pathways for individuals to obtain teaching credentials. I also think the Legislature as a whole has done a good job making sure bad bills aren’t making it through. As I have always stated, sometimes in our job as legislators, it’s more important to kill a bad bill than to vote through others.

During this session, in my opinion there have been some not-so-positives. Bill after bill has come through committee and onto the floor wanting to take away local control. The local school boards, city councils and counties have all had limits put on their ability to function as they were originally intended to operate. In place of making sure kids have a place to learn and be responsible for their actions, we seem to be more worried about allowing parents control of the school, not the school board. City councils have been saddled with state lot setbacks, lot sizes, and more issues the councils should be handling and making decisions locally. Counties are having the same problem with the state wanting to make laws and restrictions regarding septic, wastewater, zoning, and more that the commissioners and sanitation departments are currently managing just fine on their own.

Thursday afternoon, after hearing more bills on limiting local control, I had to stand up and say something. I told the Committee of the Whole (the Senate) that with the way bills are coming in, it seems the Legislature’s aim is to eliminate cities and counties altogether and run everything by the state. A few legislators heard what I was trying to say, but some just don’t seem to care.

It was quite a week to be sponsoring a page. Martin Fulbright was my page for the week, watching all the action and doing page work. Martin comes from the Junior Class of Chester-Joplin-Inverness School and did a great job down in Helena. Judy and I were happy to sponsor and house Martin for Week Nine of session. Last week, I was invited to the governor’s house, which was an opportunity for Martin to meet leadership from a few departments. I told Martin that not everyone gets to hang out with the governor.

As always, stay safe!

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Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be emailed at [email protected] .