The Session at Halftime

Photo by Alison Smith

GOP touts limits on environmental appeals; Demos cite state pay plan, bipartisanship

HELENA – House leaders gave the first half of the legislative session a passing grade on Wednesday, saying it was relatively mild in comparison to the 2007 session, but the tough issues are still waiting for them in the second half.

“We’re very excited about the agenda that we’re moving,” said House Assistant Minority Floor Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings.

House Minority Leader Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, said he was glad fewer bills were introduced this session compared to last session because lawmakers have “reasonable expectations” about the economic crisis.

“The less legislation the better,” Sales said.

Other Republican leaders said they were pleased with the passing of bills that would limit the permitting appeals process in natural resource development projects. They said the party was conducting itself well by being accountable to Montanans.

House Speaker Bob Bergren, D-Havre, said this session was as different as “night and day” from last session when it comes to bipartisanship levels. He said the House accomplished plenty of technical tasks, such as passing a pay plan bill.

“We’re getting along,” Bergren said. “The tone is definitely different this time.”

The biggest issue facing legislators in the second half of the session is the budget, Bergren said.

Bergren said he hopes the state budget will pass through the House like it usually does, allowing lawmakers to adjust it as they see fit. The stimulus package will also come into play, Bergren said it, but it should not affect the regular budgeting process since stimulus money is one-time-only funding.

Sales said Republicans are still worried about diminishing revenue streams and the affect they will have on producing a structurally balanced budget in only 45 legislative days.

“If we don’t really live within our means, we’ll be back,” Sales said.

Both Republican and Democrat leadership said Gov. Brian Schweitzer has appropriately abstained from influencing the session so far.

“I must applaud the governor in recognizing the Legislature is a separate branch,” Bergren said. He added that he hopes the governor weighs in during the budgeting process.

Republicans said Schweitzer has not met with them directly and they would like the opportunity to do so.

Minority Floor Leader Scott Mendenhall, R-Clancy, said Republicans hope the governor will be bipartisan and find common ground with them in the upcoming 45 days.

The Legislature will break for transmittal on Feb. 27 and start the second half of the session on March 2.

- by CNS correspondent Molly Priddy