Recently, Republican state representatives Pat Ingraham and Gordon Hendrick and state senator Greg Hinkle met with Sanders County school administrators to talk about the school funding challenges facing the 2011 legislature. The meeting was arranged by Sanders County Treasurer Carol Turk who is running for re-election on the Republican ticket along with Ingraham and Hendrick. All three of the state officials expressed their concern about school funding issues. I would find their concern a lot more credible if any of them had ever actually voted for state funding for education.

Another thing, Hendrick talked about Montana’s reputation about being unfriendly to business. Hendrick should know that the United States Chamber of Commerce rates Montana first in business start up activity and the Tax Foundation lists Montana as 6th best state for business tax climate. Montana might have a better reputation for business friendliness if our elected officials stopped running us down.