The Legislature convened this week and while it’s easy to pan our citizen lawmakers as amateurs, I think that’s one of their best attributes. Just look at how the pros fared in Washington, D.C. over the last year. Still, I would like to offer some unsolicited advice to those arriving at the Helena capitol for the first time – beginning with how they articulate their political positions.
The art of the floor speech is impossible to master in just one session, so I would suggest not trying to make yours memorable, even if you’re appealing for legislation that you sponsored. What’s worse than rambling testimony is one that includes off-topic references to the founding fathers. Everyone admires Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, but I doubt those former presidents would enjoy being quoted out of context as often as they are. Brevity is a quality both underrated and patriotic.
Remember, a fine line exists between what the public perceives as an impassioned speech and unhinged. Evidence of this was then-GOP Majority Leader Mike Lange’s profanity-laced tirade at a Republican caucus in the closing days of the 2007 Legislature. The rant included the following gem: “So my message to the governor is, ‘Stick it up your a–.’ That’s my message to him: ‘Stick it up your a–!’”
Lange did eventually apologize and reached a compromise with the governor, but he was ousted from his position anyway. Lange later ran for U.S. Senate, but lost in the primary.
Also, don’t introduce legislation that makes something the official state (fill in the blank here). We have a bird (meadowlark), a song (“Montana”) and a flower (bitterroot). We don’t need an official pancake.
Yes, during the 2009 Legislature Sen. Carolyn Squires, D-Missoula, introduced a bill that would have made the huckleberry, whole-wheat pancake the official state flapjack. Sure, the bill was cute because the idea was hatched by a group of third-graders. But it was also a complete waste of time and thankfully tabled in committee.
Another bad habit and chronic time-waster at the Legislature is lawmakers drumming up resolutions that carry no weight of the law. In 2005, legislators condemned the Patriot Act. In 2009, many of them wanted to scold the federal government for its overreach by essentially threatening secession; that resolution failed. This year, there’s a proposal that would urge the U.S. to withdraw from the United Nations (I’m sure that declaration will carry a lot of weight).
Each of these resolutions may be well intentioned, but they change nothing. If you’re going to attach your name to one of these, make sure you have also pushed some meaningful legislation that will actually affect the lives of your constituents.
By law, Montana legislators meet every odd-numbered year and must pass a budget within 90 days – the state Constitution requires it. And this year that will be especially tricky since the Legislative Fiscal Division predicts the state could face a shortfall of upwards of $300 million. Gov. Brian Schweitzer disputes that figure, but regardless of whom you believe, money will be tight this session.
Every hour wasted by a legislator posturing on the floor of the capitol for a meaningless piece of legislation is one less spent hammering out a state budget that keeps the state in the black and doesn’t raise taxes.
Let’s not repeat 2007, when tempers frayed and lawmakers couldn’t reach a deal and had to call a special session. One of the best parts of our citizen Legislature is that we limit how long it has to make laws.