State budget work is a compromise

Last Friday, Saturday and Monday we

heard HB 2, the budget, on the floor of the House. It was difficult

and often contentious. At times it sure seemed like theater, as

speeches were read on the floor.

The Appropriations Committee heard

testimony from hundreds and hundreds of people, most wanting the

program that benefited them or that they worked for increased or

left in the budget. Guess who is never mentioned? The taxpayers. If

you are a taxpayer, it seems that everyone wants more of your

money.

The budget is a giant compromise. There

are many parts that I don’t even like. The Senate Finance and

Claims Committee gets the budget bill next.

They will change many things. Then the

House gets the bill next to review the Senate changes. Then we see

what the governor decides.

By the way, this is the earliest I’ve

ever seen HB 2 reach the House floor. And the jobs and health care

funding improvement bills are not too far behind.

Education funding is one of the areas

that is still up in the air as HB 2 leaves the House.

There is an expensive “pathways to

improvement” plan that is supposed to implement teacher and school

accountability. But the needed data is not completely available

yet. So, why start the program?

The Appropriations sub-committee did

replace the ARRA (stimulus) funding that was put in last biennium

with our taxpayer dollars. So, right now, schools dollars are the

same as before.

The House Taxation Committee will hear

the revenue estimate this week. It is not easy to estimate the

revenues for the next two years.

What will be the price of wheat, coal

and oil be? Will gas go to $5 a gallon? The estimate is many pages

and includes income, corporate and property tax amounts.

Once again, getting this estimate right

is essential. This is the number that the budget has to match. That

is the best part of our 1972 Constitution. The spending for the

next two years has to match the estimated revenue for the next two

years.

Now a word about resolutions. They

don’t do much. One of my fellow legislators said that they are an

excuse for not taking real action. And done just to make the author

look good. Each bill and resolution we hear has a cost.

I have been criticized for not voting

for HJ 20. It is a resolution that says that the Patient Protection

and Affordability Health Care Act (Federal health care) is

unconstitutional, null and void and urging each state legislature

to adopt a similar resolution.

I find it difficult, but I do vote for

some resolutions. Things like parental rights, state sovereignty

and urging the feds to remove wolves from the endangered species

list.

Also two resolutions established

special weeks, Developmentally Disabilities Appreciation week and

forest products industry week.

I prefer a referendum to the people. It

is much more effective. I am a co-sponsor of HB 206.

This bill submits to the voters a

Montana constitutional amendment providing the right to choose

their own health care coverage.

I never forget that I work for you.

This last week I had a volunteer intern, John Michael Meuli, and he

was able to help me with contacts. It is hard to answer every

e-mail and postcard, but please keep the comments coming.

Leave me a message at 406-444-4800, my

cell is 253-8766 or e-mail me at jannataylor@montana.com.

Taylor is the representative for House

District 11.