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...
Who's fault is this at the end of the day? Who do we have to blame for the fact that there is no budget resolution? From what I can tell, there are a few arguments, let's evaluate 'em.
Update -- By the way, Republicans, you might want to check out the folks who should be your base. They think you're now trying to intentionally lose the next election. That's a bad sign.
Twomore must-reads. The Senate has adjourned for good, leaving the House the option of embracing the last Senate-adopted budget or adjourning and forcing a special session.
Republicans are decrying this, even though it is precisely the strategy they were thinking about launching.
This is just insanity. I'm not even really sure what I think of the Senate Democrats' move. To be sure, their hand was forced. When it becomes absolutely clear that the other side won't deal in good faith, it becomes damn difficult to keep trying.
Bottom line: A special session is basically inevitable. The Republicans just keep saying no one will negotiate with them. I don't buy it. They keep getting offers and then saying no one will compromise. Here's an idea, Mr. Confuse Negotiations With Bribery and the rest of your party: make a damn counter-offer. Start acting like adults. Stop crying. Stop cussing. Start working.
Update -- The session is over. There is no budget.
After watching Representatives bicker over procedural matters in the House Appropriations Committee, Sen. John Cobb, R-Augusta, told reporters he was disgusted with House Republican leadership and compared them to third-world dictators.
"You gotta a couple of thugs that are just taking it over," said Cobb, a moderate Republican who often votes with Democrats.
Thanks for the sanity, Senator. This session is a giant black eye on the state.
Two big things in today's Lee story on the budget. First, the Senate Dems say if the House continues to implode that they will clean up the mess. Second, Republican House leadership says they'll consider reviving HB 2 as long as a provision is made for permanent tax cuts.
Is that a worthwhile trade for HB 2?
It depends. Does permanent tax cuts mean permanent for resident homeowners who have been experiencing an increasing share of the tax load or is it an across-the-board cut that gives a nod to homeowners while moving the bulk of the cuts to corporations that have already been experiencing the bulk of the cuts offered under the Republican reign of '94-'04?
So the first question is what would the permanent cut look like.
The second question is whether a "permanent" cut is a sound move. The business cycle is basically an economic fact -- the economy grows and contracts (or at least stagnates). During economic expansion, tax revenues grow. During economic stagnation or recession, tax revenues stagnate or decline (at least, relative to inflation). A permanent cut during a time of fat is a poor way to be ready for a time of lean. It's mildly fiscally irresponsible.
Still, the fact that Republicans said they would be willing to revive HB 2 says that they are crying "Uncle!" Luckily, the Dems are standing up and expressing a willingness to get things done. Ultimately, this fight might come down to an issue of about 6% of the projected budget surplus. If that's the case, it's not the end of the world.
Well, committee assignments are up on the legislature's website. And the difference between the hyper-partisan Republican leadership in the House and the willing-to-work-across-the-aisle atmosphere of Democratic leadership in the Senate couldn't be clearer.
The House is split 51-49, but the Education Committee, for example is split 9-6. In other words, Dems make up 49% of the chamber, but only 40% of the committee.
The Senate is split 26-24. The committees I checked, the Dems had a single seat margin over Republicans.
Now, the Democrats could easily have been as rabidly partisan in the Senate as the GOP was in the Senate. They didn't and never was it even discussed from what I can tell.
Well, never in a million years did I think the Republicans would put someone like Scott Sales in charge of their House caucus. But they did. Consider this the beginning of a big wandering into the wilderness. Already, Sales is pissing on everyone's shoes -- fellow House Republicans, Senate Republicans, the Governor. And he seems to think that now is a time to make himself known as the state's roadblock, declaring that Republicans "have to know who our enemy is and who our friends are."
My gut says that the far right's take over of the House Republican caucus is a good sign. Sales won't be able to keep his caucus unified. He's too crazy.
Senator Mike Cooney is set to be President and Representative John Parker is set to be Speaker. Senator Corey Stapleton will be minority leader.
Update -- Just heard most of the rest of the leadership teams. In addition to Speaker Parker, Dems will be led by Speaker Pro Tem Bergren, Majority Leader Art Noonan, Majority Whips Dave McAlpin and Margie Campbell, and Caucus Chair Dan Villa. In the Senate, in addition to President Mike Cooney, we have President Pro Tem Dan Harrington, Majority Leader Carol Williams, and Majority Whips Lynda Moss and Lane Larson. In the Senate GOP caucus, Dan McGee and Greg Barkus will be Minority Whips.
