What odd times we live in. In Helena, fewest pieces of Legislation in 16 years.
But only recently do we read of new big budget cuts. Cuts for education, senior and long term care, also providing legal help to those in need. $120 million of total cuts in fiscal year 2018, combined with fiscal year 2019.
But no action about rolling back the SB407 liberal tax benefit of 2003. That reduced Montana revenue by about a billion dollars.
The folly of inaction hands Governor Bullock the trump cards to lay down and play by cutting in half the SB407 liberal tax benefit to the top 1% of Montana individual income tax payers. The trump cards that would enable around 63 million dollars of new taxes from the top 1%, to be received as revenue in the General Fund of Montana, across the two years of the biennium budget.
To catch up on actual cuts, like last week’s cuts to Special Education, check out what Representative Amanda Curtis has to say on her Facebook page.
https://m.facebook.com/SupportAmandaCurtis/#composerInput-1618695831490921
If you vote Republican it’s OK to check into the daily summaries from Representative Curtis because the Montana Democratic Party doesn’t seem much interested in her wit and wisdom, or her willingness to run to represent Montana in Congress.
What’s this? If there is a Federal Special Election, we may be able to vote on mail-in ballots for a Republican OR a Democrat to represent Montana in the People’s House, under Paul Ryan to fill the empty Montana seat in the House that might soon be vacated as Representative Ryan Zinke becomes head of the Department of the Interior (DOI). (Reportedly, two of his staff are already transferred to DOI.)
What’s this? If Missoula gets it together to soon have a meet and greet, and panel discussion with Rob Quist and Representative Curtis, how about we invite them for a social hour here in Ravalli County!
Bob Williams
Stevensville