Archive for Jobs and Economy
Republicans proved once again that they are only interested in talking about jobs and not at all concerned with actually bringing new jobs to the state. They voted today to kill the the most important jobs bill of the session, the so called “bonding bill.”
This bill would have allowed communities to access money to invest in crucial projects in every corner of the state. These projects include upgrades to the University of Montana College of Technology, the MSU-Northern Auto Tech Center, MSU-Billings Science and Technology Building, as well as projects in Helena, Butte, Bozeman and Great Falls.
The bill would have had an immediate job creating impact, which is why contractors and businesses from throughout the state supported the measure. It would have also made Montana a more competitive state for bringing new businesses to the state in the future, because of the better educated workforce and educational infrastructure.
Yesterday, during debate on the bill, legislators from both parties rose to talk about the importance of making this investment in our infrastructure, and explained that Montana was uniquely position to make this investment that would make the state an economic leader for decades to come.
Unfortunately, 13 Republicans chose to play politics with the future of Montana and switched their votes between the initial House approval of the bill and today’s failure of the bill. These Republicans are:
- Bill Beck
- Mike Cuffe
- Ron Ehli
- Kelly Flynn
- Alan Hale
- Bill Harris
- Gordon Hendrick
- Pat Ingraham
- Doug Kary
- Tom McGillvray
- Mike Milburn
- Wayne Stahl
- Ted Washburn
The House has 24 hours to reconsider their actions, however the likelihood of this happening is slim, so this bill is likely dead.
UPDATE: Late today, Democrats were able to force the House to reconsider their actions on the Bonding Bill. The Bill will be up on third reading again tomorrow.
VETOed by the Brand
Posted by:Today, Governor Brian Schweitzer was true to his word when he said he would take his VETO branding irons to bills that are unconstitutional, frivolous or in direct contradiction to the expressed will of Montana voters.
In a ceremony on the north steps of the Capitol, the Governor was joined by more than 100 onlookers as he took the brands to 7 bills.
The bills the got the brand were:
- SB114: Which initially would have put sheriffs in charge of federal law enforcement officers, but now had been amended to where it was pointless and would do nothing but clutter our law books
- HB318: Would put county commissioners in charge of bison management, rather than FWP as it currently is
- SB109: Would kills jobs in the state and roll back our progress towards renewable energy
- HB272: Would make it more difficult for the public to acquire land for hunting, fishing and recreating
- SB159: Would make it harder for homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient
- HB180: Would eliminate election day voter registration
- SB306: Would overturn two voter approved laws that restricted cyanide leach open-pit mining and thus would severely damage our rivers, lakes and streams
In addition to these bills, the Governor also held a more traditional veto signing in his office. Here he vetoed the following bills: HB456, HB464, SB111, SB228, SB324, SB370, SB324, SB370, SB254, HB161, SB183 and HB542
GOP Backs $38 Million Tax Hike
Posted by:Today, Republicans in the House voted for a $38 million tax increase on Montana small businesses, renewable energy industry and families, marking the largest tax increase of the session.
This increase came in the form SB 253. This bill will eliminate certain tax credits energy efficiency, biodiesel development and mineral exploration. If Republicans vote the measure into law, it would result in nearly a $14 million tax increase by 2015.
More than 50 small businesses from throughout the state currently benefit from the tax credits and would be hurt by the Republican plan to repeal it.
Democrats have fought this measure, which is sponsored by Republican Senator Bob Lake, every step of the way. The bill must receive a final vote in the House before it can proceed to the Governor. It passed today’s vote by a 51-47 margin.
Government Shutdown in Montana?
Posted by:After Democrats in Congress narrowly averted a federal government shutdown that was pushed by GOP lawmakers pursuing their social agenda, it appears Montana Republicans are looking to shutdown the state government.
This afternoon, Governor Brian Schweitzer sent a letter to Attorney General Steve Bullock asking him to take initial steps to prepare for the event that Republicans in the legislature do not produce a responsible budget, to fund state services and the government is forced to shutdown.
In the letter, the Governor says:
The prospect of a shutdown raises large-scale questions which I hope you will address for me. What employees, for example, can be retained at the State Prisons or the State Hospital at Warm Springs or Pine Hill School for Boys, or our state National Guard? Can we keep all highway patrol officers on duty? Are there powers unique to these circumstances that I may exercise to soften the financial losses to the state that will result from the closer of “non-essential” services services such as state parks, museums, the lottery, state liquor stores and drivers license stations? Are there any extraordinary steps I may take to prepare the thousands of state workers who will be furloughed from “non-essential” programs?
If the government is shutdown because of the GOP’s irresponsible budget, Montana’s economy will be dramatically hurt.
Read the full letter from the Governor HERE
“Bonding Bill” Gets House Approval
Posted by:Today, Rep. Galen Hollenbaugh’s “bonding bill” was passed by the House of Representatives today.
In a time that Republicans call every one of their destructive policies a “jobs bill,” this bonding bill is one of the few actual jobs bills.
This bill allows Montanans to invest in the future of the state. It would give communities the opportunities to build new education facilities throughout the state. This will provide the state with a world-class education system that allows us to be competitive in global marketplace. As we know, the majority of jobs in Montana will require a quality post-secondary education within the next 10 years.
In addition, this bill also puts Montanans to work immediately. This bill will provide local construction and technology jobs in our communities. This will provide a much needed jolt to our local economies.
The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support. It now goes to the Senate for their approval.
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 