House Republicans cry foul over unheard bills

HELENA – As lawmakers head into their halftime break, House GOP leaders accused Democratic Speaker Bob Bergren (pictured) today of unfair and unequal treatment in the handling of Republican bills.

House Minority Floor Leader Scott Mendenhall, R-Clancy, said Bergren broke House rules in a “blatant and brazen way” by opting not to schedule late Republican-sponsored bills for a hearing.

“Is it just coincidence they happened to be all Republican bills?” Mendenhall asked.

Mendenhall also said Bergren, of Havre, showed his partisan bias by splitting up the previous day’s floor agendas by party, with Democrat bills in the morning and Republican bills in the afternoon.

“That’s patently unfair,” Mendenhall said. “Can we look forward to more of this in the second half?”

Mendenhall’s speech was met with some Republican applause, which Bergren quickly stifled from the speaker’s chair.

Bergren said he has been fair, equal and in control for the first half of the session. “I believe you just helped set the tone for the next 45 days,” Bergren told Mendenhall.

Bergren admitted that he decided not to schedule hearing on one late Republican bill and a few resolutions because he didn't think the House had enough time to hear them. He said he should not have "desk-drawer vetoed" the bills.

“One minor violation that upset you, I apologize,” Bergren said.

In an interview later, Bergren said Republicans were bringing up “petty” issues and should be talking instead about heavy-hitting issues like the economy and health care.

“Republican leadership is once again out of touch with Montana,” Bergren said.

But Republican leaders said their concerns were valid. "It is a big deal,” said Minority Leader Scott Sales, R-Bozeman. He said these kinds of insider moves lead to partisan discord.

Despite the tiff, both sides said they looked forward to fostering bipartisanship after the halftime break that runs from Feb. 27-March 2.