Money headlines state government talk

Legislative Viewpoint

Ryan Zinke

The two “big news” stories from the legislature this week are that the revised revenue numbers from the governor are in and that the legislature wants to be part of the decision making process on how the stimulus package from the federal government will be spent. The updated revenue forecast contained both good and bad news. The good news is that is wasn’t as bad as most people thought. The bad news is that it is about $85 million below the previous forecast which means that an additional $85 million in programs will have to be trimmed from this year’s budget. 

As I have often stated before, any new programs that cost money or any programs that were funded last session on a “one time only” basis are at risk of being on the chopping block. 

The second big news story is that the ranking members of both the Senate and the House held a joint press conference and announced that any funding received from the federal stimulus package should go through the legislature for appropriation. The Senate Republicans and members from both sides of the House agreed that a Stimulus Committee should be formed with membership from both the legislature and local governments. The idea being that a greater diversity in committee membership would serve to increase transparency on deciding which projects can and should be funded. The Senate Democratic Caucus, led by Sen. Carol Williams, disagreed and wanted the decisions to remain in existing committees within the legislature.

Meanwhile, the governor held his own press conference and stated that much of the stimulus package will contain specific funding mandates and it is unlikely that the legislature, or anyone else, will have much say as to where money goes. The best guess at the moment is Montana will receive somewhere in the ballpark of $800 million in federal stimulus funds. Regardless of the political positioning, both the governor and the legislature agree that any stimulus funds received should be viewed as “one time” money not be used to increase long-term government obligations. 

Other items of local interest include a Joint Resolution commemorating Glacier Park centennial and the bill to allow local municipalities to determine the speed limits and install traffic control devices on state highways within city limits both sailed though the Senate with a 47-3 vote. I expect that the Montana Horseman bill, which increases the penalties for the abandonment and starvation of a horse, will be out of the committee and on the Senate floor this week. The bill, if passed, with allow additional penalties of $500, six months jail, and reimbursement for veterinarian and feed costs to be added to existing cruelty to animal laws.

Finally, there were two education bills before the Education and Cultural Resources Committee that deserve discussion. The bills are Senate Bills 80 and 81, which call for a change in the Montana Constitution to elect the members of the Board of Regents and the Board of Education, respectively. Both of the bills were opposed by the Montana Education Association and a host of other education organizations. I intend to vote against both bills for three reasons. First, I feel it is unwise to politicize the boards any more than they currently are. By statute, both boards are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate and by law requires geographic and political balance. I am comfortable with the current checks and balances and fear creating greater division if the process is changed. Second, the board decisions include accreditation standards, curriculum and general supervision of our educational system. Local school boards provide an appropriate level of oversight of local issues. At the state level, however, I believe that is it prudent to ensure professional educators with proven track records are at the helm of our education system.

Lastly, until Montana undergoes campaign reform, there is a clear and present danger that the Board of Regents and Board of Education could be hijacked by a Political Action Committee (PAC) with an agenda. Under current campaign laws, a PAC could simply throw enough money at a campaign to gain effective board control. I believe this is an example of a bill that has both merit and good intentions, but is rife with unintended consequences.

For more information on current bills, hearing dates and how to contact your local legislator, go to the State of Montana official Web site http://leg.mt.gov" http://leg.mt.gov.

Ryan Zinke is a state senator from District 2.