As the 63rd Montana Legislature convenes, about one-third of the lawmakers are new. Flathead voters sent a couple freshman representatives to Helena. Some House veterans transferred to the Senate.
Term limits reliably mix up the Legislature. Term limits throw out the good with the bad policy brokers. On day one of this Legislature, roughly two-thirds of House members served less than 90 days in any session.
As most Montanans are optimistic that this session’s political tone is more moderate than 2011, members of the Legislature should listen up.
An old-timer once shared some free political advice. Staring straight into my eyes, the colleague said, “Remember whom you work for.”
Don’t get enchanted by the abundance of secret and backroom deal-making of Helena. Citizens expect an open process with balanced policymaking.
Your word is your bond. As you give it, be prepared to keep it. There will be difficult votes; choose district, conscience, and lastly political party.
If it’s important to hometown people, vote accordingly. If your conscience is conflicted, pause and ponder. The parties will exert tremendous pressure to follow their lead. This may or may not be in your district’s best interest. Speak up, if it is not.
Don’t be intimidated by the separate floors of the capitol. The first floor is legislative staff. They have remarkable insight and historical perspective. Serving legislators is their job, and they do it well.
The second floor is the executive branch. Neither party, acting alone, has the votes to override the veto pen. The four-month session will soon end. For the following 20 months, you will be home wishing for a working relationship with the executive floor.
The third floor is the Legislature. Don’t forget about the other chamber. Many good bills failed because legislators did not forge cross-chamber relationships. The House versus Senate friction is real.
The lobbyists in Helena outnumber lawmakers. Plenty of these influence peddlers are genuine. Some will behave as your best friend from now until April. They will offer you all the booze and steaks that you can stomach. Act with dignity.
Be proud of your district. All of Montana’s 150 legislative districts are beautifully unique. Advocate for your entire district, not just the 50-plus percentile that elected you.
Mostly be polite, respectful, and trust your friends.
Don’t be afraid of compromise. No matter what the firebrands shout out, this is not war. Compromise is common ground and the art of politics. It is how the Legislature is intended to work.
Study a given field. If something is greatly important to your hometown, learn the intricate policy details. Rhetoric will not make good policy.
Talk with the press, who are often overlooked. There are good journalists covering policy in Montana. Build open relationships. Welcome them into the process.
Work hard, answer the correspondence from the hometown people. Don’t become selective on whom you respond to back home. Listen to your district and be their representative.
Count your blessings that real people care about mundane policy.
For goodness sake, it is not personal. You will lose. You will win. You will feel great joy and deep grief. The debates are fierce, the competition tough. Do not take it or make it personal.
Share a laugh, root beer, and a burger with your most loyal proponents and fiercest opponents. Get to know the other party members. You will find them mostly kind and share many common goals.
There will be days of great challenge. Meet them head on. Enjoy your service. Your time is short, a mere second on Montana’s clock.
Respect the process and the people. Be kind, optimistic, and remember whom you work for. The people of Montana can benefit greatly from your service.