As legislators, we have had some long days and short nights as we head to the midway point of the session, the transmittal deadline for all non-revenue bills.  With transmittal ending on February 24t, we have been hearing an increased number of general bills both in committee and on the floor.

Beginning on Monday, February 21st, the House will primarily be doing floor sessions with the exception of a few committee meetings on that morning.  We will continue to do floor sessions with the Committee of the Whole through Wednesday, February 23rd, as all non-revenue bills must pass second reading by Wednesday.  Thursday is expected to be dedicated to third readings of any house bills which have survived the committee process and passed second reading.  The third reading will be the final House vote on those bills, and if the bills pass third reading, they will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.

One bright spot recently was when our Legislative Fiscal Division announced late last week that state revenue collections are better than expected.  However, even with the announcement of improved revenue collections, the Legislature is still looking at a deficit situation where anticipated expenditures exceed anticipated revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars.  Constitutionally, it falls on the Legislature to balance the state’s budget which will require us to make tough choices to get state government back to sustainable levels.

Montana’s government needs to budget like Montana families. If a Montana family spends everything they have, there is nothing left when unexpected emergencies occur. That is exactly what happened earlier this week when the Governor’s office announced an unexpected $80 million Medicaid shortfall which the Legislature now will have to address.  Maybe it was timely that a few more revenue dollars were collected since we will have to make up for that Medicaid shortfall.

As your representative, I have received hundreds of calls and emails each day from people all across the state and the country, but as your representative, the voices from my community are what matter most to me.  Yet even within my community there are many issues which bring about opposing voices, thoughts and views. 

On all of these issues I have had to cast my votes, often tough votes, because of the opposing views voiced by you.  I have not taken that responsibility lightly, using all the resources available to me in order to make what I feel are judicious votes on contentious subjects. 

Foremost, I always remember that our primary duty here is to balance the state’s budget.  A responsibility I have not taken lightly.  

From Friday, February 25th until February 28th, legislators finally will have an opportunity to head back to our districts.  For many this will be the only time we can make it home during session to see family and hear from our constituents.

While the time home will be brief, please feel free to contact me at 406-827-4652 if you’d like to visit regarding a concern or just to say hello.