Did we spend too much, or, not enough?
The answer of course is in one’s perspective. In the end it turned out that this session had three groups of legislators. Two groups are feeling that they didn’t get their way nearly enough on the spending bills, the liberals and the conservatives, because the outcome was either too much or not enough for their wishes. The moderates are smiling as they controlled the votes that made the spending decisions.
This session will likely be remembered as one of the more eclectic in recent memory. We started with a rookie governor, who by his own admission was in over his head, and who also said he desired cooperation and coordination. The Speaker of the House said he was more about getting the job done and less about politics. The House displayed their cooperative nature and demeanor throughout the session. The Senate side didn’t sign up for the cooperation stuff and started day one by having a coup of sorts whereby the conservatives unseated the returning more moderate Senate President and his leadership team, by one vote, in a very controversial takeover. The unseated leadership moved as a group to the middle and voted together with the Democrats to move the legislation that they mutually wanted.
Some memorable highlights: The house passing the main budget bill – HB 2 – by a unanimous vote of 100 to 0 – first time in legislative history. March 5th, the reenactment of the 1913 first session in the new chambers, complete with costumes, lots of pictures and we even had a mock vote on a couple of the same bills they did back then. Should Montana allow liquor on election day and should automobiles be allowed in Yellowstone Park? The struggles in the Senate one afternoon that had one side standing and pounding on their desks trying to make a motion demand that was being ignored. A governor that got pay plans, pension plans, and education funding close to what he wanted, and helped us spend ourselves from a surplus of $450 million down to less than $140 million and is now complaining because we didn’t pass Medicaid expansion also. Maybe he has a money printing press in the basement that we don’t know about?
Interim committee assignments will be out in the next couple of weeks which means some work done from home and then usually a trip back to Helena every few weeks. Friendships develop quickly, I think because of the constant contact and intensity of the 90 days. Lots of sad and emotional goodbyes and promises to be back next time.
It has been and is a fascinating journey that I am humbled to be part of.
Ed Greef
HD 90