Spring Break!

The Republicans in the legislature must be pretty proud of the work they’ve done over the last three and a half months–spear hunting, mandatory ultrasounds, removing funding for low-income heating assistance, nullifying federal laws, trying to switch the state to the gold standard, overturning voter initiatives, making it harder for Montanans to vote, restricting stream access and defending DUI laws–that’s the only explanation for the “Spring Break” they decided to give themselves over the next four days.

Yup, you read that correctly. They decided that they have worked hard enough and need a few days off. So they finished their floor sessions today and skipped town before finishing their work at the Capitol.

When the GOP was set to adjourn the Senate today, Senate Democratic Leader Carol Williams stood on the floor and implored the Republican leadership to not take this vacation and made it clear that the 22 Senate Democrats were ready and willing to stay and finish the people’s work. Unfortunately, Republicans wanted their “Spring Break” more than they wanted to do the people’s business, because they still adjourned for vacation.

Sen. Anders Blewett (D-Great Falls) later pointed out that Republican leader Sen. Peterson forgot about his own Code of the West bill. Sen. Blewett said, “Senator Peterson’s Code of the West, that the Senate passed today, says ‘finish what you started.’ I guess it doesn’t apply to the legislature. GOP leadership has wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money this session shotgunning unconsitutional bills. Now that it’s time to do some heavy lifting, they’re taking off for spring break.”