Legislative

Well, hey there MACo Folks! Last week I was in Washington, D.C., so you received a relatively short update, sweetened with a poem about Montana’s legislative process (which hopefully distracted from the fact that you received nothing of real substance…not that you ever really do—I’m here to entertain during the “dark times”).

Tomorrow is Presidents’ Day. (Happiest B-day wishes to both George and Abe—in my over-caffeinated, under-slept totally rational mind, we’re on a first name basis.) Be sure to watch the Joint Floor Session at 1 p.m. for “Formal Address Day,” where instead of Second and Third Readings of bills, we’ll be receiving updates from our Congressional Delegation and Montana Tribal Nations Chairman. Yes, it’s another holiday. And as you’ve learned by now, the Legislature does not sleep on holidays, so you don’t get to either. Sorry.

ALSO, tomorrow is the first day of MACo’s Midwinter Conference. So MACo doesn’t let you sleep on holidays either. Sorry. Again.

Unfortunately, the storm of the century is also scheduled for this week, starting today…and ending Wednesday…at 11 p.m. (I’m just “Little Miss Jolly Good News” over here.)

So, while I daydream about snowshoeing instead of legislative updating, grab the bevvy of your choice and a big ol’ snack, cause you’re in for a long-winded wild ride filled with excitement, drama, and of course, tears. So. Many. Tears. (It’s not actually exciting nor dramatic…maybe just kinda sad…you decide.)

Well, hey there MACo Folks! Because I’m Washington, D.C., this week’s intro to our Legislative Update (linked above and below) will be short and sweet…emphasis on sweet since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Sooooo, grab some tea or coffee and maybe a few little heart-shaped chocolates or a donut with pink icing, sit back in that comfy creaky work chair, and enjoy this small gift from me to you.

Well, hey there MACo Folks! We made it through the first week of February. To recap: The Legislature officially made its recommendations to the Redistricting Commission via Senate Joint Resolution 8, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, the Governor’s tax bills continue their speedy journey through the process (check out the “Taxation” section of our Legislative Update linked above), AND almost all of MACo’s bills have been introduced and heard in the first committee FOUR WEEKS PRIOR to that initial golden “transmittal,” deadline, i.e., halftime. (Light. Tunnel. I see you.)
So, what’s happening this week? Let’s jump right in and see!

Well, hey there MACo Folks! It’s Monday. It’s Legislative Day (LD) 21. We’ve got endless days of zero-degree weather ahead of us in Helena. There’s a full moon on the way. It’s Groundhog week. And I can’t scratch a quote from Lewis Carroll out of my brain: I’m not strange, weird, off, nor crazy. My Reality is just different from yours.

Well, hey there MACo Folks! Happy Monday and Legislative Day (LD) 16…it’s January 23rd and the beginning of week 4. The air is chilled, the sky is gray, and the romance is over. O.V.E.R. Let the games begin.

Well, hey there MACo Folks! Hope the weekend was (and still is for those out of the office today) restful, exhilarating, and enjoyable. You know what’s not restful? The Legislature. “Rest” is a foreign concept to “The Body” this early in the game, so they’re in session today crushing out bill hearings and convening their respective houses on their respective Floors.

Well, hey there MACo Folks! We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season. Unfortunately, it’s time to take down the twinkle lights, dethrone the star from the tree, and buckle up or in (or however you secure yourself) for the 68th Legislative Session.

Hi, hello, how are ya? It’s been a hot minute since I last graced the interface of your selected internet-capable device. Where have I been? Nowhere. Recuperating. Recovering. Sleeping. Thinking…Thinking about how exactly to bid farewell to the 67th Legislature and it’s…very unique and interesting Legislative Session.