By Rep. Theresa Manzella, Hamilton
How many citizens received the phony, deceptive “scorecard?” Here’s my response – FAKE NEWS!!
Grandma used to say that if a person will lie, they’ll cheat; and if they’ll cheat, there’s no limit to the bad behaviors they’ll partake in. The wisdom in those words has recently been proven true by Rep. Ballance’s recent lying post card.
Rep. Ballance knows good and well that the real conservatives, also known as The .38 Special, did not vote for Obamacare Medicaid Expansion – that added 97K able bodied, working age adults to the Medicaid rolls, while rationing healthcare to those who truly need it. To claim different, is an absolute attempt to deceive the public.
She also knows that I, nor any conservative, voted for a sales tax or an internet sales tax. We are aware, however that the liberal side of the Republican party is planning a “Tax Modernization Act” for next session.
What we did vote for were “process votes” in support of bringing both bills from committee to the House Floor where the merits of the bills could be openly debated by the Committee of the Whole, and more specifically, exposed for the cameras and the public to see. Conservatives had absolutely no intention of voting to make either of the bills law. We sought to reveal the truth.
In the case of HB425, Medicaid Expansion, we wanted the opportunity to expose the backroom deals that had been made between the liberal Republican splinter group and the Governor to pass Medicaid Expansion against the will of the people and the Republican caucus, as well as that of the Democrat caucus.
In the case of HB300, we wanted the public to have the opportunity to witness and review a mathematical equation by which Montana could replace skyrocketing, private property tax with a sales tax which would be shared by our 11 million annual visitors. We wanted the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation on the pros a cons of the idea and give the public the opportunity to weigh in on the potential idea still in its infancy.
Furthermore, Rep. Ballance knows, as everyone should, that immigration is an enumerated power of the federal government and Sanctuary Cities are already breaking federal law. We passed a straight and simple bill, which the Governor vetoed. But in doing the benefit/risk analysis on the expense and risks associated with a ballot initiative, we determined that adding another layer of unnecessary “feel good” legislation was not worth the risk and expense.
While I once held this woman in high esteem, Rep. Ballance’s deceptive, phony, scorecard is a perfect example of the desperate individual she’s become in her effort to win at any cost and maintain power for the liberal side of the Republican Party. It provides clear evidence as to why so many “A” rated, conservative legislators and Constitutional Watchdog groups are endorsing me for SD44.