After a long and emotional week of hearings, both in committee, and on the House floor, I’m not sure which end of me is more uncomfortable. My ears have heard tens of thousands of words and my sheepskin draped floor chair has hardly cooled off. I am experiencing, along with several in my party, what it feels like to have some of the bills or amendments not passing by a margin of one or two votes. Sure it hurts a little, but on the other hand, it demonstrates that we are just what we are supposed to be… 100 legislators from across this state elected to represent whom? You’re right, we are a citizen legislature and each of us gets to cast only one vote. This session has had lots more one and two vote margins than last time.
What the heck? HB-250 is a hunting bill that allowed the use of silencers on limited species only… think predators. The governor didn’t veto this gun type bill, instead he sent it back with his amendment saying, “Instead of limiting this to only certain predators, let’s open this up to allow noise suppressors on all big game animals.” I know, we’re scratching and grinning a bit on this one, too.
Emotions included pauses in testimony for those speaking to wipe the tears and gather themselves before talking again on HB-425, which is determining that life, that personhood, begins at conception. Most that spoke were admitting that in their hearts that was a question they could not honestly answer with absolute clarity or certainty. It passed 3rd reading 51-48.
Charter school bill passed out of the house on a close vote, 53-47. The school system doing a good job, as they should, of defending the existing, and those favoring adding into the mix more choice were equally passionate. Rep Meyers, Native American from Rocky Boy, made a comment regarding the Indian culture and their difficulty with classroom structure. Very interesting points, I thought. Many years ago we took the children away from their parents, put them in a dorm, cut their hair and told them not to speak their native tongue. Now we are trying hard to preserve and teach them their language before it’s lost. Their culture understands the importance of the circle of life, about offering instruction where there is no visual structure that puts one at the head of people forming lines. Teaching the Native Americans needs to offer them choices that fit the culture of the parents and students, said Rep. Meyers. Teach from a circle.
Looking forward to Easter break. We will have long days and evenings to catch up to the point we can have a four day break. Don’t call me early …
Rep. Ed Greef, HD-88
Florence