Legislative update

Fifty- five legislative days of the 67th Montana Legislature are now in the history books. As a result of unprecedented amounts of Federal $ and Executive orders, this Legislature and Governor, is faced with decisions that will have momentous implications for generations to come. I would be remiss if I didn’t include Attorney General Austin Knudsen in this discussion as well. His office has already stepped up to push back on the Federal assault on State rights, most notably the Biden/Tester cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline and the opening of the Southern Border, unleashing a flood of illegal aliens crossing the border. The Biden administration has reinstated an Obama policy of bussing these illegals all over the country, Montana is reportedly on the destination list. Regarding that, in Appropriations, we eliminated a Bullock program that accepted $4,000,000 of our Federal tax $ for refugee resettlement, that ended up primarily in Missoula.

As I mentioned last week, $2.7 billion of new Federal money is coming to Montana as a result of recent legislation. There is going to likely be $500 million or more going into water, sewer, and broadband projects across the state. It is important that counties and cities make our needs known as soon as possible. I would suggest going through normal application channels as well as letting Senator Bogner, Representative Holmlund and myself know. This is a good opportunity to address needed upgrades. In similar fashion, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), has a carryforward of about $130,000,000 from past covid and $400,000,000 from the recent bill. A couple of the big areas that can be funded is heating and cooling systems and broadband for schools. Be sure to contact the OPI, Superintendent Arntzen, with your questions for any need that you might think of, it costs nothing to ask!

It looks like food security projects will be another favored area for some of these Fed $. This might include processing and storage facilities. I would encourage you to use your imagination. Regardless of our feelings about the merit, or lack thereof, of these funds, they are here. Our challenge is to try and best utilize them to enhance Montana’s future productivity without creating new, ongoing programs that will saddle us with costs we can’t afford in the future. Some might be asking, why not reduce general fund spending and reduce taxes? Simple answer. Our own Senator Tester saw that coming and introduced an amendment that prohibited it. More is better!

On some other bills of interest, we passed a bill that allows a taxpayer to enlist an independent appraiser in a tax appeal case. On election integrity, we passed a bill requiring voter lists be audited annually to assure an accurate as possible voter roll. Importantly, we passed a constitutional amendment out of the House 66-33 party-line vote that would establish personhood as beginning at time of conception. One of our votes was absent, unfortunately. This amendment requires a 2/3 approval in both houses which will be a tough climb in the Senate, sad to say. Your voices count!

I voted against authorizing the creation of Bitterroot Valley Community College, unfortunately only 38 members joined me on 2nd reading. If we can’t kill it on 3rd reading, I hope we can get the job done in Appropriations. It baffles me why we would create another brick- and mortar- college just a few miles down the road from the University of Montana. Montana is already loaded up with too many colleges that were created mostly, back in the horse and buggy day and we communicated by smoke signal. This school is projected to serve only 100- 140 students annually at an estimated cost of $1,250,000 per year. It will only grow from there. Ask Representative Holmlund to vote no.

Starting Monday morning, we will be hearing House Bill 2 presented on The Floor. This bill has been weeks in the making, starting in our subcommittees. It should pass relatively amendment free. This bill sets all State agency budgets for the coming biennium. It will be a relatively conservative bill, given that the new Governor had only a few days on the job to prepare a budget. I’m optimistic that this administration is going to make great strides, in the next two years, in reforming the way State government does business.

Also coming next week is picture voter I.D., something that is long-overdue.

My wife Carol and I were thrilled to be able to celebrate our Grandson Jett’s 1st birthday with a visit to the House Floor this week! He was joined by Dad and Mom, Alex and Carmen (Hinnaland) Schillinger.

As always, call, text, email or write your concerns and ideas.

For Freedom,

Representative Jerry Schillinger