Valley Views

valley views Urge a special session

During the 2021 Legislature, we set a budget to adequately fund state government operations. It turns out that the State Treasury received a lot more tax revenue than we projected. In almost every area, tax receipts have exceeded our expectations. The cause of that can be debated, but it does not change the fact the state is sitting on an estimated $1.5 billion cash surplus. That surplus is in addition to over $800 million in rainy day funds. This leaves your elected leaders with a very important decision: should the surplus go back to the taxpayers now or should the state government keep it on hand to spend it as the government sees fit?

We are calling for a Special Session of the Legislature in September to give $900 million in rebates to taxpayers and pay off $100 million of the State’s existing debt. The Democrat’s legislative leaders agree that we have a billion-dollar surplus, but, predictably, they have proposed that the Legislature and the Governor use $750 million for new government spending.

So, you might hear different narratives on how to handle such a large surplus, but no matter how anyone spins it, the question is still the same: do you get your money back or does the government get to keep it to expand government programs? When you hear anyone say, “wait until the Legislature meets in January to decide what to do with the surplus,” understand that is code for “we want to use the surplus to start new government programs.”

We are of the same mindset as the Governor in his Comeback Plan, which states, “Just because state government brings in more money, it doesn’t mean it has to spend it; it’s the money you have earned that you are sending to Helena.” In following the spirit of the Governor’s Comeback Plan, we favor returning $900 million in rebates to taxpayers in 2022 before the Legislature meets in 2023 and spends the surplus on more government programs. Even after returning $900 million to taxpayers, the state will still have $500 million in surplus funds and another $800 million in rainy day funds. This is more than enough to meet any contingencies that may arise in the 2023 session.

We believe a very short, one-issue special session would be the best and the fastest way to get your money, earned by you, back to you. This is your state government and your voice is instrumental to our decisions. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators - Republicans and Democrats - and urge that we meet in a Special Session this fall and return $900 million to the taxpayers.

Legislative Notes Rep. Bill Mercer, Billings Sen. Greg Hertz, Polson Rep. Matt Regier, Kalispell Sen. Dan Bartel, Lewistown

Consider Gary Buchanan

One of the first lessons I learned on becoming a state legislator was to make it as easy as possible for other legislators to agree with me. I saw how those who demonstrated both competence and good will were taken seriously and achieved the greatest success in accomplishing their goals.

Several decades ago, there were relatively few ideologues intent on imposing their own narrow ideas of how things should be done. Now we sadly see that there are many more elected officials who self-righteously attempt to impose their sometimes-extreme and narrow governing philosophies. One of those is Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale.

I have found Matt to be friendly and congenial in the few times I’ve crossed paths with him. In his public role, however, he has aligned himself with the fringe “Freedom Caucus” whose members are among the least influential in Congress. They are acclaimed only for their fanatical refusal to work with other legislators with whom they disagree.

With one of the smallest legislative delegations in Congress, Montana’s congressional delegation must always be working for Montana, and not for the benefit of Trump or any other outside influence. I’ve had both former Democratic Congressman Pat Williams and his Republican counterpart the late Ron Marlenee tell me that when Montana last had two Congressmen, the two of them actively represented Montana interests together. They actually were able to accomplish more for our little state, largely because they represented different political parties, and therefore a broader network of congressional colleagues. Sadly, though, their bipartisanship was a quarter of a century ago.

Now the people of Montana’s new eastern congressional district have an opportunity to replace their ineffective representative in Congress with an independent problem-solver who has a lifelong record of successfully working with others to get things done. Few other congressional districts in the country this election year will have this opportunity. Independent candidate for Congress Gary Buchanan has impressed most of us who have known him over the decades as someone who should run for public office. I think he might have run before now, but Gary has always been greatly respected by those of us who have known him as an independent thinker,

Valley Views Bob Brown Former MT Secretary of State

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and that has kept him from aligning with either political party.

Gary has told me that these turbulent and troublesome times have now impelled him to enter the political arena. He believes, and I strongly agree, that his brand of principled and balanced judgment, coupled with the people-skills he has honed over the course of his successful careers in private business and administrative government, uniquely qualify him to effectively represent Montana in Congress.

Numerous opinion polls show that people across the country are now identifying as independents in greater numbers than ever before. That points to a possible re-alignment of political parties, and I am one who believes that is coming. Much is at stake, now, and much is uncertain. Gary Buchanan offers a real and positive choice to central and eastern Montanans. Montanans are famously independent-minded people. Here’s a rare opportunity to elect a Congressman who is, too. This choice might not come again.

Bob Brown is a former MT Secretary of State and State Senate President

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What can one do?

Editor,

What is one to do when one discovers your rights are being violated by the one who oversees that the Tribal Laws of the Flathead Indian Reservation are to be abided by, and has the power to prosecute you in the court of law if you were to violate the Tribal Laws?

Judge refused to let me present the notarized documents of Power of Attorney at the formal hearing. The following week, I received by mail from the Tribal Court that the judge’s order states that no documents would be accepted without the author present. For those of you who might not know laws, a “Power of Attorney “ is completely legal in every court of law without the author being present. A judge has no right to add to the federal laws or take away any of the laws. The judge is trying to force me to present the author at the final court hearing. considering two banks and tribal department accepted this power of attorney, because it’s the law, what gives this Tribal Judge the right to do as they please? None.

I ask the Tribal Council to take immediate action.

What action can one take legally? 1. One can submit a request to be heard by the Tribal

Council (which hold the highest power within our Tribes). 2. You can present your issue to the appellate court. 3. Tell your story to the local newspapers (truth will be heard). 4. Do nothing and become the victim.

In June 2022, I submitted a request forum to take this matter before Tribal Council. I received an email back from their department stating that it was up for review, and they needed my phone number. I sent that information by email. Even called and left a voice message over four weeks ago, and in two weeks followed up with another email. No response from that department.

Sharlene Peone Flathead Reservation

Support veterans

Editor,

We are fortunate to have Monica Tranel as a candidate for our new Western District for the House. She lives in Montana, gets out to talk to people, and is a strong supporter of veterans. These are her words: “I’ve talked with veterans from Columbia Falls to Victor, and heard their need for access to health care and a Congress that is willing and ready to work for them, not against them. Honoring our veterans for serving our country should not be a partisan issue. I will work to fulfill our country’s promises to those that have served.”

Many Montana veterans have been exposed to toxins in the line of duty, but have had no coverage for resulting conditions. Now the PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins) act has passed.

PACT expands access to VA health care services for veterans exposed during their military service and makes sure they will receive screenings and services related to potential exposures.

It was not an easy bill to shepherd through Congress. At one point, Republican opposition, based on the bill’s mandatory funding, killed it. With public opposition, and Democrats’ hard work, the bill was revived and passed, with the understanding that mandatory funding was needed to make it work.

In this climate, Congressional oversight will be critical to making sure the bill is implemented as quickly and as smoothly as possible. This will require a strong commitment to our veterans.

While candidate Ryan Zinke was largely silent on the issue, and Steve Daines was famously caught in a fistbump with other Republicans when the first bill was defeated, Monica Tranel was on the trail, talking to veterans and their families, and supporting PACT.

With Tranel in the House, and Tester in the Senate, veterans will have the oversight they need and deserve.

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Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Projects Access Guide available online

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

MONTANA — The upland game bird season is less than one month away, and hunters will soon be able to refer to the Projects Access Guide, published annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP).

Hunters can view and download the new guide and maps online at: https:// fwp.mt.gov/conservation/habitat/ upland-game-bird-enhancement-program/access-guide.

The guide contains all active projects administered through the UGBEP including Open Fields, habitat management leases, food and cover plots, CRP enhancements, shelterbelts and grazing systems. These project types are located in all FWP regions and designed to enhance upland game bird habitats on lands open to free upland game bird hunting when permission to hunt is secured.

The guide includes tables listing all habitat projects and maps that depict locations of private and public land projects enrolled in the UGBEP. Tables provide hunters with project-specific information such as project location, acres and the method to contact landowners for permission. FWP reminds hunters to obtain landowner permission before hunting private lands.

Printed access guides will be available at FWP headquarters and regional offices in late August. Hunters can also request a copy of the access guide via FWP’s website. FWP will begin mailing guides to hunters the week of Aug. 15.

Due to current dry conditions and high fire danger throughout Montana, hunters may encounter UGBEP project closures or restrictions. Hunters can check the Projects Access Guide online for current information.

Through partnerships formed with private landowners, government agencies or conservation organizations, UGBEP has a current enrollment of 473 active projects, enhancing over 330,000 acres of game bird habitat while providing nearly 800,000 acres of access for upland game bird hunting. Hunters taking advantage of these projects and some of the amazing upland game bird hunting they offer should consider extending a thank you to the landowners. This partnership in creating upland game bird habitat and offering public access is an excellent opportunity.

For more information, contact Debbie Hohler, UGBEP coordinator, at: 406-444-5674, or by e-mail: dhohler@ mt.gov.

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