Garner named MVP of legislative session by state Chamber

Fern receives ‘Champion of Business’ award

Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell Republican legislator Rep. Frank Garner has been named the Montana Chamber of Commerce Most Valuable Policymaker for his work on infrastructure legislation during the 2017 legislative session.

Garner sponsored House Bill 473, the Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Act, the state Chamber’s top priority for legislative action.

“Thanks to his leadership, Montana is now making historic investment in its roads and bridges for public safety and commerce,” the Chamber said in a press release recognizing its top pro-business policymakers.

Garner also carried another priority bill for the state Chamber, Senate Bill 335, to enable public-private partnerships in infrastructure project. Garner is vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish, received a “Champion of Business” award from the Montana Chamber of Commerce, and was the only Flathead Valley lawmaker among the 10 “champions” statewide honored by the organization.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 voting review for the 65th regular session of the Montana Legislature is touted as one of the most comprehensive looks at the business and economic issues addressed during the 88-day session.

The review scores 25 floor votes in the Montana Senate and 25 floor votes in the Montana House. Between these floor votes, committee votes, and bill sponsor recognition, the review scores 75 bills in all. Gov. Steve Bullock is scored on 17 bills that reached his desk and several other bills that were impacted by the administration. Legislators gain extra points by sponsoring or carrying pro-business legislation while also losing points for sponsoring or carrying anti-business legislation.

“This was a tough session with the state’s fiscal condition,” said Webb Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Montana Chamber. “However, legislators and the governor stepped up and passed some bipartisan solutions.”

The Montana Chamber was able to successfully enact several laws that advance its 10-year strategic plan, Envision 2026, Brown said. In the plan there are four core objectives: entrepreneurship, workforce development, infrastructure and business climate.

“Our biggest success in realizing Envision 2026 was in the area of infrastructure and business climate, specifically legal reform and taxes,” Brown said. “However, our workforce development agenda will also help all Montanans.”

The voting review can be found online at http://www.montanachamber.com/legislative-action.