Page 26 - Flathead Beacon // 1.28.15

26 | JANUARY 28, 2015
LIKE I WAS SAYIN’ Kellyn Brown
Bills Worth Watching
THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE IS IN FULL swing and, at least from afar, it appears a little less dramatic than previous years. While there’s the typical bickering, there have been fewer full-fledged blow- ups – knock on wood. For some, that may suggest the ses- sion is boring, but that’s not the case. Beyond the major di- visive pieces of legislation, such as those to expand Medic- aid, fund preschool and approve the water compact, there are a few other bills to keep an eye on.
Federal lands: Despite critics contending that the idea is at once uneconomical and unpractical, lawmakers have begun discussing transferring federal lands to the state. Legislators, including some from Northwest Mon- tana, have requested dozens of bills addressing federal land management. Supporters of the legislation contend the land is plagued by mismanagement. Even if legislation passed demanding a transfer, the federal government is apt to ignore it. Nonetheless, the debate is worth watching.
Sales tax: Kalispell and other large cities across the state are supporting a bill that would grant them the au- thority to implement a local-option sales tax. The argu- ment in favor is largely based on rising infrastructure needs in communities that attract tourists, such as ours. Right now, only towns smaller than 5,500 can enact a so- called resort tax. This idea has been floated before and in- evitably died at the Legislature, but it seems to have more backing this year.
Alcohol licenses: The most prominent bill to emerge dealing with the state’s convoluted alcohol laws would al- low businesses to stack different licenses and raise the bar- rel limit for breweries operating a taproom. Basically, bars and restaurants would be able to buy a license to brew beer and breweries would be able to buy liquor and beer licens- es, which would allow them to increase business hours, re- lax serving restrictions and to operate more like a bar. The Montana Tavern Association and Montana Brewers Asso- ciation support the “Montana Brewers Act.” It is, however, opposed by the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors and select breweries.
Infrastructure: Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has proposed a massive statewide infrastructure plan dubbed “Build Montana” that would cost nearly $400 million, two- thirds of which would be funded through bonds. While in- troduced by Republican Rep. Jeff Welborn and supported by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, it does face GOP opposition. Republican Sen. Majority Whip Cary Smith called the bill “political pork on the state’s credit card.” The governor said he introduced one large infrastructure bill to stop the debate between eastern and western Mon- tana funding, but there’s still a good chance it will be di- vided among several bills.
Students: Along with a proposal to expand state fund- ing to preschool, there are others aimed at preventing students from leaving high school without a degree. Su- perintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau has in- troduced a bill that would increase the dropout age to 18 – right now, students can drop out when they’re 16 – and an- other that would provide funding for 19-year-old students. Similar bills have been killed in previous sessions.
Minors: There are a couple bills in the Legislature that would add restrictions to minors – one would prohibit those under 18 from using tanning beds and another would restrict them from accessing e-cigarettes. The latter piece of legislation includes language opposed by Montana’s va- porizer retailers. Restrictions on tanning have been pro- posed and died before.
Minimum wage: Lawmakers will consider a piece of legislation that would raise Montana’s minimum wage by more than $2, from $8.05 to $10.10. The governor is sup- porting the bill, but it will have difficulty passing. The Montana Chamber of Commerce opposes the increase and it will likely face resistance from Republicans.
OPINION FLATHEADBEACON.COM
TWO FOR THOUGHT
Same Topics, Opposing Views
By Tim Baldwin
Deflated footballs. How are Americans so concerned about something that has no eco- nomic, political or personal affect in their lives? Football teams are nothing like our lit- tle league, high school or even college sports teams. They are corporations owned by multi- millionaires who seek one thing: profit. The owners exploit America’s historic love of foot- ball and competition to do this. NFL players are bought and traded to make a more profit- able team. They are under employment con- tracts for millions of dollars to play a game. Why do we care?
Montana is currently in session. Legisla- tors are proposing bills to become law. Our lives will be controlled by these laws. Le- gal trends and culture will be accomplished. Have we taken the time to look at these bills, talk to our legislators and discern if there are any “deflated balls” to be concerned about in Helena? Our state Supreme Court enters or- ders routinely that affect how our constitu- tion is applied to civil and criminal issues. Do we attempt to read their opinions? Our coun- ty attorneys and attorney general unilaterally decide who to prosecute or not. Who knows if they are doing it properly?
People are awaiting the results of NFL’s investigation of Deflategate. Hopefully, in the meantime, we will attend to the real world.
By Joe Carbonari
The less air in a football, to a point, the easier it is to catch, and to throw. The same size hand can grip it better. Fingertip catch- es are easier, more likely. Quicker, harder throws are possible. How much of an edge? It depends on the luck of the game. Would it help the side that had it? You bet.
Say the air is let out of 11 of the 12 balls that the New England Patriots can use when they are on offense. Each team, conveniently, supplies its own balls. They receive official inspection prior to the kickoff and then are separately managed, by each team, and sup- plied, on the sidelines, by them, to their own offense. No, I’m not kidding.
If a ball is intercepted, its “softer” nature might well be noticed in the process. These guys are professionals. They catch a lot of balls. They know how they feel, and they know the “tricks” of the trade. I’d complain – reportedly someone did. Wouldn’t you?
The game has been tainted. It has gone from “our team against yours, may the best win” to “we’ll cheat to win.
If I have them right, the ball-handling “rules” of the NFL are a knowing invitation to the debasement of the game. It is a shame for the Patriots, for their fans, and for the “game” itself. Fix it, please.
Deflategate
GUESTCOLUMN | BruceTutvedt The Politics of
Personal Destruction
Standing up for principles is not always easy, but it is what I do. I believe that it is the job of every legislator to make our state government work bet- ter for the people of Montana. As your state sena- tor I hold our state government accountable for how they treat all Montanans. I strive to ensure we have a small, efficient yet effective government. I always put conscience first, constituents second and party third, which drives the ideologues nuts.
The extremists in the Flathead Valley have come to personal attacks because they don’t win on the issues. They believe that the U.S. government is bad and trying to depopulate Northwest Montana using Agenda 21 or some other conspiracy theories. They believe in the need for public militias to pre- pare for the overthrow of the government. It is true that the extremists and I are on opposite sides of most issues – the CSKT water compact, support of public education, and the need to support and re- form our healthcare system.
As a public official I am expected to take per- sonal attacks. The attacks are becoming more bra- zen and more personal. The attacks of taking bribes and using my position to obtain personal gain are examples of official misconduct and are illegal. I categorically deny any official misconduct. I do not participate in backroom deals but work in the light
of the public eye. My detractors need to file charg- es with the county attorney so I can defend myself from these baseless accusations.
The water compact is not a government grab. The State of Montana now owns all of our water and will continue ownership under the compact. The CSKT compact protects those holding water rights and their beneficial use of water. The water compact settles the quantification of the CSKT wa- ter rights through negotiation and ensures that all citizens will have water to develop Northwest Mon- tana, now and in the future.
I support our children and our public schools. I believe that our promises to seniors and state em- ployees should be upheld. I support economic poli- cies that promote a prosperous economy for all Montanans. I have always learned the issues, in detail, no matter how complicated or long the docu- ment, and make my decision based on what is best for my constituents. These personal attacks will not stop me from pursuing these ideals as I continue to fight for the folks.
Bruce Tutvedt is a Republican senator representing Kalispell.