Archive for Legislators
Rep. Peterson Said What????
Posted by:Rep. Ken Peterson has been strongly criticized for the way he’s run the House Judiciary Committee, of which he is the chair.
Today, he wasn’t just criticized for how he runs the committee, he was also criticized for his bizarre comments to the Missoula Independent.
In an article about Sen. Facey’s bill that seeks to remove unconstitutional language from our criminal code; language criminalizing homosexual acts, Rep. Peterson attempted to defend his opposition to removing this language. He argues that despite the court ruling, the law is still enforceable in certain circumstances.
First, he believes gays and lesbians are attempting to “recruit” heterosexual people. He told the Missoula Independent:
“Homosexuals can’t go out into the heterosexual community and try to recruit people, or try to enlist them in homosexual acts,” Peterson says. He provides an example: “‘Here, young man, your hormones are raging. Let’s go in this bedroom, and we’ll engage in some homosexual acts. You’ll find you like it.’”
Peterson also believes that public displays of homosexuality are considered a felony. He said:
“In my mind, if they were engaging in acts in public that could be construed as homosexual, it would violate that statute. It has to be more than affection. It has to be overt homosexual acts of some kind or another… If kissing goes to that extent, yes. If it’s more than that, yes.”
Unfortunately for Rep. Peterson (who is a lawyer) his legal analysis has been roundly refuted by all legal experts, who say both the Montana and U.S. Supreme Courts have ruled this statute and similar statues unconstitutional.
Rep. Malek Selected as Henry Toll Fellow
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Rep. Sue Malek (D-Missoula) was recently named as one of 48 state leaders to take part in the Toll Fellowship Program sponsored by The Council of State Governments.
The seminar, named after Colorado Senator Henry Toll, seeks to develop the next generation of leaders from all three branches of government. This year’s program focuses on trends analysis, policy development, media and constituent relations and leadership and institutional changes. The program is designed to give leaders perspectives they would not ordinarily obtain during the course of their regular governmental service.
Rep. Malek joins leaders from all branches of government and 42 states in this year’s program. Past Toll Fellowship graduates include governors, US Senators and Members of Congress, as well as leaders in state government.
Defending Drunk Driving?
Posted by:We’ve heard Republicans make some pretty ridiculous claims about policies to help Montana small businesses. They’ve said switching to the gold standard is key. They’ve said allowing corporate polluters to destroy Montana’s pristine environment is key. Today, we heard another one.
Rep. Alan Hale (R-Jefferson County) stood on the floor of the Montana House and said that solving the DUI problem in our state will destroy small town businesses. No…I’m not kidding.
He continued his irresponsible statements by saying that Montanans in small towns only have two choices, they can hitchhike to the bar or drink and drive.
Hale also failed to mention that he is a bar manager in Basin and his bar has reportedly been cited recently for serving underage patrons.
This is simply another example of Republican irresponsibility being driven by their own personal interests. It would be refreshing if they’d put the needs of Montanans first and then worried about their personal financial interests.
GOP Farm Subsidy Hypocrisy
Posted by:One of the things we’ve seen over and over and over this legislative session is the hypocrisy of Republican leadership in the legislature. First, it was increasing their health benefits, while trying to cut benefits for Montanans. Then, it was the hypocrisy of Sen. Lewis, who after years of serving as a state employee, he now wants to cap state employee pay.
However, the latest incident takes the hypocrisy cake.
A recent study released by The Policy Institute, examines farm subsidies that members of the legislature receives. It particularly focuses on those legislators that have railed against federal assistance to state government, while helping themselves to thousands or millions of federal dollars.
The study found that from 1995 through 2009, current legislators received more than $7 million in federal farm subsidies. Republicans received 98.8% of the money. The top recipient was Rep. Janna Taylor, who received more than $1 million for a farm that she is part owner of.
We need to be clear, farm subsidies from the federal government are an important thing. They help keep food prices low, provide an abundance of food for communities and help support local farmers who are integral parts of our rural communities.
The problem is (as it usually is with the GOP) hypocrisy. These extreme Republican lawmakers are demonizing federal subsidies that help rural hospital upgrade their technology to better serve their patients and federal dollars that help maintain our infrastructure, all while taking money themselves.
The Republicans who have received these federal subsidies have an obligation to make their deeds match their words. They either need to stop accepting federal subsidies for their own personal gain, or they need to admit the fact that these federal dollars play an important role in building stronger communities and businesses in Montana.
Last November, Montanans voted to endorse a ballot measure that would end the process of reserving hunting licenses for out of state outfitters. The measure was passed, primarily on the grounds that it gave special status to out of state businessmen at the expense of Montanans.
Today, Rep. Bill Harris, of Mosby, introduced a bill to overturn the clearly stated will of Montanans. However, during the hearing on his bill, Harris announced that he would have the bill tabled after it had it’s hearing. This bizarre move will waste several thousand dollars in taxpayer money for absolutely no purpose. In addition, Republicans this year have been criticized for wasting time on frivolous bills, today’s actions by Rep. Harris will not help them shake that notion.
This isn’t the first time this session that Republicans have attempted to overturn the clear will of the Montana voters. Other voter approved measures the Republicans are seeking to overturn this year include the medical marijuana law and the ban on cyanide heap leach mining.
Republicans in the legislature should stop wasting time on bills that seek to overturn the will of Montanans and waste valuable time in the legislature, and instead follow the Democratic lead and focus on bringing jobs to the state and moving the economy forward.
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 