Response to Helen Sabin

by Rep. Kathy Love, HD 85, Hamilton

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start with all the misinformation being thrown around, but I’ll do my best — using facts, something that seems to be optional for some people.

First, a legislator shouldn’t go to Helena to “win the scoreboard” on how many bills they can get passed. More bills usually mean more laws, more restrictions, higher taxes, and less freedom. I didn’t go to Helena with any intention of padding numbers or building a trophy shelf of legislation.

I did, however, sponsor significant legislation to keep Montana’s children safe. HB 82 addresses online grooming and the growing issue of AI being used to extort or “sextort” kids — something Montana had absolutely no laws covering until this year. HB 710 gives the DOJ and ICAC officers the ability to obtain warrants quickly so they can track down internet leads before they disappear. It’s been reported that Ravalli County alone deals with about 7 of these cases per month. These bills are already making a real difference. Predators have been caught because of this legislation. Considering that children and teens have taken their own lives after being sextorted — and that AI now allows predators to create images without even having a real photo — I’d say this qualifies as actual “Montana Family Values,” not just a slogan.

I ran HB 709, which addressed the individuals and organizations that bring illegal immigrants into our state. This wasn’t about human traffickers or victims — it was about the people who locate and place illegal immigrants here. The bill failed by a small margin because some people didn’t like the penalty. Apparently a “slap on the wrist” is good enough for some. I think Montana needs stronger protections not weaker ones.

I also sponsored meaningful legislation to fix problems with unverified voter registrations. HB 423 addresses registrations that election administrators were unable to verify even after following all required steps. Many were simply dropped onto the inactive voter roll, and an inactive voter could reactivate their registration simply by showing up to vote — even if they had never been properly registered in the first place. HB 423 gives us a way to address this and remove unverified registrations from the system. Other states are now looking at modeling this approach. Facts matter.

As for the Attorney General’s visit: when he called and said he was conducting meetings across the state with county officials and leaders, I set up the Corvallis meeting. It wasn’t a public event because he specifically requested it not be. We discussed the work his office has done, including HB 82, which I think I’m entitled to participate in. And since you brought it up again: I’ve never gone to Helena to do a photo op with the Attorney General — or anyone else. I did one at the request of the paper after being interviewed with the Attorney General about his visit. I don’t do photo ops. Political theater isn’t really my brand.

Since you’ve repeated this one more than once, let’s put it to bed: I did not vote myself a pay raise. This is public information and easily checked, but apparently not by everyone. I was one of only three Ravalli County legislators who didn’t vote for the raise. My opponent, Dave Bedey, did vote to give himself a pay raise — not me.

Contrary to your claim, I did not vote to defund public schools. Defund means “prevent from continuing to receive funds”. I did not vote to take money from the schools. I come from a long line of teachers. My mother and sister were both teachers. I grew up in that environment and I know the challenges. But the bill you referenced would cost the taxpayers $55 million in 2026 and up to $64 million by 2029. In some cases, it will also raise local property taxes. And since government money is just taxpayer money in disguise, I’m not going to support a massive cost increase that hits working families and retirees even harder. I believe there are better solutions to support and incentivize hard working teachers without placing more burdens on already overburdened taxpayers.

You also said I should be fighting for higher standards and more parental involvement. Several bills over the past few sessions have strengthened parental rights — something you seem to have overlooked. As for forcing parents to be involved: that’s not the job of the Legislature. That’s a decision — and a responsibility — of the parents themselves.

And to clear up one last piece of fiction: as the former state director for the national group Women for Gun Rights, a current member, and a firearms instructor, I think even you know I’m not going to vote to take away anyone’s gun rights. The idea that I would is pure imagination. Something you seem to be familiar with.

I’ve always defended the votes I’ve made, and if I get one wrong, I’ll own it. I read every bill that comes across my desk, look at all the angles, and make decisions based on the whole picture — fact, not emotion.

Something you could learn a thing or two about.