The 2009 legislative session kicked off this week, and, so far, it's already less contentious than the 2007 session -- that session kicked off under the cloud of a Republican declaration of "war" and the opening day speeches on cooperation was marred by an angry tirade by the blog-shy Senate minority leader, Cory Stapleton. Not to say 2009 won't be filled with chills and thrills. Sure, Koopman, Sinrud, and Stapleton are absent this year, but there're still the Wendy Warburtons and Krayton Kerns. And then there's this:
At the opening of the 2009 Montana Legislature on Monday, Republican leaders made it clear they won't be shy about pushing their agenda, saying their message of lower taxes and less government still resonates with the public.
"This is still a Republican state," Senate President Bob Story, R-Park City, told fellow Republican senators at a party meeting hours before the Legislature convened at the Capitol.... "We have to carry (our) message and let people know why we're here."
Pretty strong words from a man whose party's highest state officeholder is a public service commissioner, and whose party controls only one body of the legislature. Of course, Story's remarks are political (I hope they're political, because the alternative is that our state Senate president is deranged), likely an effort to justify his party's attempt to bluster its free-market ideology and social values into the mix. Even so, Story's rhetoric seems half-hearted to me. The big issue is the budget, and everybody seems to agree it needs to be trimmed. The arguments will be over how much to cut, where, and what kind of tax cuts to give who.
And did you catch Mike Cooney's bill, which would make any violation of the rules governing the legislature a misdemeanor? (The Gazette: "A misdemeanor, by Montana law, is punishable by a maximum $500 fine and up to six months in the county jail.") Er, why?
Cooney said his bill isn't directed at any party or particular leader. But he said he's seen occasions when a House speaker might keep a bill to himself for a while, using it as a way to get a favor out of the opposing party.
Hm. I wonder if he's referring to a certain recent House Speaker that was rumored to stuff opposition party bills into a drawer of his desk, never to be seen again? Probably -- and Cooney's probably unleashing a little half-hearted rhetorical salvo of his own at the GOP, a little reminder to Story et al. that the Republicans probably don't want to get into any fights over manners. (After all, Emily Post would frown on cuss-laden appearences in YouTube videos, displaying the manners of a 7th-grader out behind the gym.)
On a more constructive note, jhwygirl wrote a post outlining some Democratic legislators' agendas this week, along with some helpful links to online resources for the session. The legislature's website is beefed up some, and this year includes live streaming of legislative business, a feature that'll make all you legislature junkies out there drool in anticipation. (You know who you are.)
Again, and as always, you're heartily encouraged to post your thoughts about the legislature or a bill or favorite legislator. What's the funniest bill in the works? What bills do you like? What bills are bad ideas? Who's the best/worst GOPer? The best/worst Dem? And, of course, links to fun moments on the floor or in committee are welcomed... |
