By Rep. Nancy Ballance, HD 87, Hamilton
Last week, Missoula legislator, Brad Tschida, wrote a letter to the editor making false claims about me. He told my opponent he would take a “flamethrower” to me, an appalling political tactic of distorting the truth. The timing of this attack was not lost on me either. Tschida knows that as your legislator, my focus today is on issues of healthcare and the economy, not petty politics.
I am sickened that Tschida has chosen this time of uncertainty, while you are worrying about your families and your businesses, to make these false claims. Normally I would simply ignore his lies but some of you don’t know me and I owe it to you to address his letter and then I can go back to the hard work we have ahead of rebuilding our businesses, getting our kids back to school and ensuring our healthcare system is strong.
His reference to “kickbacks” and enormous campaign contributions is an outright lie. The largest campaign contribution a legislative candidate may take from any organization or individual is $180. Brad should also be careful about insinuating that his fellow legislators and Montana’s hard-working hospital administrators are engaging in unethical and illegal activities. An honorable man would either provide proof or issue an apology.
Tschida also falsely claims that the Medicaid Expansion Reform bill expanded access to abortion. Tschida and my opponent voted for the liberal, I-185 version of Medicaid Expansion (HB425) while I voted for the conservative Medicaid Expansion reform bill (HB658). His “facts” about abortion coverage do not apply to either bill. Pregnant women are simply not included in Medicaid Expansion.
My opponent voted with Tschida on several other major issues that I strongly disagree with.
Tschida voted against a bill to prohibit sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants in Montana; I voted to prohibit sanctuary cities in Montana (HB147). Tschida voted anti-business; I voted pro-business (Chamber of Commerce scorecard). Tschida voted anti-agriculture; I voted pro-agriculture (Montana Farm Bureau scorecard). Tschida voted against the most conservative budget in decades (HB2); as Appropriations Chair, I developed this conservative budget (HB2). Tschida voted for the Socialist policies of price fixing and price controls; I voted against those Socialist policies (HB747). Tschida voted for a Sales Tax; I voted against the Sales Tax (HB300). I could continue but I think you get the point.
As your legislator and a fiscal leader in the state I will once again set petty politics aside and focus on the hard work required to keep Montana one of the best fiscally managed states in the nation. I am confident that because of the prudent financial actions we have taken, Montana is well prepared to weather this economic crisis. I will continue working to bring the cost of healthcare down, to expand jobs in Ravalli County, and to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our kids.
Karmy says
Sorry Nancy. Fool me once, shame on you. 52.70% of Montana voters voted against extending Medicaid Expansion with I-185. Yet you, in your great wisdom decided we didn’t know what we were doing so you decided to go against our wishes and extended Medicaid Expansion anyway. This is plainly infuriating to us as voters. You are supposed to represent your constituents yet y ou did the complete opposite. Almost as if you were a Democrat! Well I won’t be fooled again and I’m sure others feel the same.
The statement about Brad Tschida is so disingenuous it made me sick to my stomach. “I am sickened that Tschida has chosen this time of uncertainty, while you are worrying about your families and your businesses, to make these false claims.” I can see someone like Nancy Pelosi making this insincere and calculating statement.
With regard to your vote on Medicaid Expansion and the access to abortion, you are splitting hairs just like Bill Clinton did with the definition of “is”. You say “Pregnant women are simply not included in Medicaid Expansion.” In actuality, a non-pregnant woman who enrolls through Medicaid Expansion and then later becomes pregnant is not “kicked off” Medicaid Expansion and bumped to Medicaid coverage: she stays on, with Montana receiving reimbursement at the higher, federal matching rate of 90% rate (vs. the lower, federal matching related coverage beyond that provided under Medicaid.
Your true colors have been shown for all to see and I hope the people of Ravalli County see you for what you are. A lying opportunist who is a RINO and votes WITH the Democrats. You do NOT represent those of us in Ravalli County and especially those of us who are NOT FOR tax payer funded abortion. We believe in life. Theresa Manzella can proudly stand behind her voting record. Apparently, you cannot say the same, you must make excuses for your votes. Shame on you.