by Ellen Gayle Clifford, Three Forks
With the conclusion of Montana’s 68th Legislative Session, we Montanans have an opportunity to reflect on our state’s past and its cherished description known nationwide as “The Last Best Place.”
Montana residents appreciate the values and way of life that have been forged by previous generations. We share these values: a constitution that protects our rights, inclusiveness, public accountability, caring for our neighbors, individual privacy, clean water and environment, accessible public lands, outdoor sporting and waterway opportunities, excellent public education, and an abundant well managed wildlife, to name a few.
We expect our elected officials to represent and preserve these values.
Montana’s future will be a judge as to how the elected officials in the 69th Legislative Session upheld the way of life enjoyed by Montanans and our visiting friends.
What is in store for the future of Montana? Is Montana on a path of no return? Many of the bills introduced and passed in the recent legislative session are well known to be written by out of state interests for personal gain and were not tailored to the needs of Montanans.
Is this the path we want Montana to follow? Montana voters will make the final decision concerning Montana’s future. Moving forward, let us be well informed on candidates and cast votes for those that truly have Montana’s best interests at heart, as we strive to keep, for Montana residents and visitors, Montana’s uniqueness and reputation as “The Last Best Place.”