Another Racially Insensitive Remark from a GOP Legislator

 

Last week, Republican Ed Butcher made headlines for his ignorant and tasteless comments about American Indians. This week, Sen. Corey Stapleton, R-Billings, compared Martin Luther King day to Ground Hog Day in a statement to reporters about why the Montana legislature was instead of commemorating the day. Here's Stapleton's remark reported by the Great Falls Tribune:

“No one in the Negro caucus objected,” Senate Minority Leader Corey Stapleton joked.
(Uh, for those that don’t know, there are no black lawmakers in Montana.)

In all seriousness, Montana’s legislators like several others, have always plowed through every holiday except Easter, Stapleton said. They work on President’s Day. Flag Day. St. Patrick’s Day. Valentine’s Day. “We even work on Ground Hog Day,” Stapleton said. More.

 

 

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Governor’s $100 Million Tax Rebate Passes Senate Committee

Governor Brian Schweitzer’s $100 million homeowner tax rebate plan passed the Senate Tax committee today by a vote of 6-5.   The plan (SB 139, Senator Harrington D-Butte) is part of the governors “Square Deal with Montanans.” 

The proposal would return $100 million to taxpayers, or about $400 per Montana primary residence. The Governor’s proposal gives all the money to homeowners who have seen their share of the tax burden raise substantially over the last decade, not to big corporations or out-of-state residents.

“It is homeowner’s property tax relief and it’s about time,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I commend the Senate Taxation Committee for their vote today. The legislature has provided tax relief in past sessions but far too little of it has gone to Montana homeowners.  It is their turn.”

The Governor added, “$400 given to a Montana homeowner will roll over and over on main streets across the state.” The Schweitzer administration has not raised taxes and does not support raising taxes.

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Sen. Tester Returns to Montana with Progress on Ethics Reform

The former president of the Montana Senate spoke to a joint session of the Montana legislature this week about ethics, and criticized President Bush's plan for Iraq. Tester said the plan would escalate the war in Iraq and is the wrong direction to take.
Tester, a Democrat, ran on a platform of ethics reform in the campaign that led to his defeat of Republican incumbent Conrad Burns last fall, in the U.S. Senate race.

Monday, Tester commended legislators for ethics work they did in 2005, and said he'll take to Washington some ideas gathered in Montana. Tester said he hopes federal legislation, being debated this month, will prohibit members of Congress from receiving gifts and travel bought by lobbyists. He also wants increased power for congressional ethics panels. More.

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Baucus Leads Fight to Defend Bighorn River 

 

 

Senator Baucus this week is leading the fight to protect the Bighorn River by introducing legislation that would block officials from further lowering flows out of Yellowtail Dam.

Baucus’ bill comes on the heels of a standing-room-only meeting he held Sunday in Billings, where more than 100 anglers and local business owners crowded into a conference room to hear the senior U.S. senator tell officials that current plans to reduce flows are unacceptable and potentially devastating to the area's world-class fishing.


“The Bighorn is a lifeline for southeast Montana,” Baucus said. “This river is internationally known as one of the best trout streams on the globe. We will not stand by and let it be dewatered. Montana has given enough.”

Baucus said maintaining adequate flows in the Bighorn River “speaks to the soul and pads the wallet,” noting fishing on the river generates more than $30 million in economic activity every year. More.  

Democratic Legislature Working Together for Progress for Montana Families

 

Senate President Mike Cooney and House Minority Leader John Parker have laid out a bold agenda for Montana families and communities in 2007.

 

The priorities emphasize the Democrats vision of strengthening Montana families by creating good jobs so future generations can stay in Montana, continuing to invest in our education system, getting needed property tax cuts to Montana homeowners, and providing quality affordable healthcare to Montana families.

• Historic tax cuts that go to homeowners and small businesses
• Health coverage for more needy children and more access to affordable health care for uninsured adults
• A competitive, world class education system from kindergarten though college
• Moving Montana forward with renewable energy to create jobs and lower heating bills
• Strengthening relations with tribal governments
• Protecting Montanans' access to rivers, streams, hunting grounds and fishing holes

"We’re looking forward to working together to make sure that Montana continues to be the best place to start a business, raise a family and build a community," said Senate President Mike Cooney.

 

Minority Leader John Parker said, "Democrats are committed to making progress for middle-class Montanans during this legislature. We will work with Governor Schweitzer for responsible, common sense solutions to move our state forward, care for our neighbors in need, and boost our economy to create good jobs."