Now let’s look at the numbers that have resulted from the tax increase. I’m a numbers guy so this is where I live in the legislature. First, let’s take a look at where the cities and counties were before HB 473. Since 1993 they shared around $16.5 million based on miles of roads and population. The fact that it hadn’t been increased since 1993 put them in a severe crunch … [Read more...] about THE GAS TAX – Part Three
THE GAS TAX – Part Two
MY VOTE AND HOW THE TAX IS BENEFITING EASTERN MONTANA In part one of this article I detailed how the bill came to be as HB 473 in the 2017 session. In this part I will discuss my vote and in part three will give some examples of how money from this tax is being put to use in three Eastern Montana areas-Custer County, Garfield County and Richland County as well as Miles City, … [Read more...] about THE GAS TAX – Part Two
THE GAS TAX – Part One
HOW IT CAME TO BE AND HOW IT HAS BENEFITS EASTERN MONTANA One of the most difficult votes I have had to take in the three sessions I have served in the Montana Legislature was the vote to increase gas tax. I generally do not favor increasing taxes on anyone when there are other avenues to accomplish the same goal- like cutting expenses or combining resources from several … [Read more...] about THE GAS TAX – Part One
A STUDY OF ANNUAL SESSIONS
For many years the topic of annual sessions has been widely discussed in the Montana Legislature and it was even done during the first session following the new constitution implemented in 1972. The idea was quickly changed by a vote of the public and it hasn’t been tried since. During the 2019 session it was again discussed and indeed a bill was passed to study the idea … [Read more...] about A STUDY OF ANNUAL SESSIONS
WRAP UP OF 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
With Governor Bullock past the time to veto bills, it is time to give a high level wrap up of the session. I say past the time to veto bills because he has 10 days from the day he gets the bills on his desk to decide to sign, allow to become bill without his signature or veto a bill. He vetoed 36 bills, all carried by Republicans, allowed 1 to become law without his … [Read more...] about WRAP UP OF 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
