It should be a lawmaker’s easiest task, pressing the correct button that indicates which way they want to vote on a procedure or piece of legislation, “yea” or “nay.” But that’s not always the case as evidenced by Great Falls Democrat Rep. Tom Jacobson’s vote that may have sunk Medicaid expansion in Montana and which […]

By John Fuller As the 63rd Montana Legislature wound down, the difference between Democrats and Republicans remained stark. Gov. Steve Bullock and Democrats wanted to continue to extort money from hard-working Montanans so they could give it to their allies in the form of free health care and higher pay for government employees (which have […]

The 63rd Montana Legislature is over. The assembly of elected servants passed a state budget, gave public servants a small raise, funded public education, shored up public pensions, invested in public infrastructure, and conducted themselves more-or-less with the respect that service warrants. In the closing days, politicians passed a lopsided $150 million income tax cut […]

The 63rd Montana Legislature ended last week. One issue that received a large amount of attention this session was Medicaid expansion. There have been some bills that address this topic. HB 590 was tabled in the House Human Services Committee, and two last motions to bring it to the House floor were unsuccessful. HB 623 […]

While I doubt it was their intent, the soap makers at Dove created something that perfectly illustrates the power of one of the best sales and marketing tools you can use. It might be the best demonstration of that tool I’ve ever seen. Print readers, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk&rel=0 The experiment The Dove “Real Beauty” experiment has […]

Serving you is the greatest privilege of my life. Over the past 40 years, I’ve had one goal: make life better for the people of this state. You don’t become longest serving senator in Montana without a lot of help from a lot of people. I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me. […]

I apologize to Commissioner Cal Scott. Before he was elected, I wrote letters in opposition of him to the media. At that time I did not believe he would make a good commissioner. However, after attending a commission meeting, my opinion of Scott has changed. My initial judgment of you was wrong. I was at […]

Stepper Hall, the son of some friends of ours in Montana, sent me the following email: I’m writing my senior thesis on small business in the ski industry and I’d like you to help me with the question: “How can a small ski business survive in the ski industry that is dominated by a few […]

By John Fuller One definition of a “statesman” is a politician who just lost an election. Another is a Republican who just broke ranks with his party and voted with Democrats. In the Montana Legislature this year, on several critical issues, a block of Republican senators abandoned their party and voted with Democrats. Since Republicans […]

In the days following the Boston Marathon bombing, I read several well-written stories about why amateur runners train for hours each week to prepare for grueling races. Why suffer for so long for so little recognition? It’s a good question, and reminded me of a phone call my dad made to me more than 10 […]

As someone on the dark side of 50, I’ve earned the right to use the “O” word. So what exactly was I referring to when I said “old”, and who’s doing the suffering? You might’ve heard of the term “SME”, or subject matter expert. Depending on the business, your SMEs might be young, old or […]

As spring emerges in Big Sky Country, with it comes the anticipation of summer vacations, farmers markets, gardening and enjoying the majesty of the great Montana outdoors. For the Montana Urban and Community Forestry Program, spring is for planting trees – specifically in celebration of Arbor Day – the official observation of which in Montana […]

Gosh, I hate Congress. About six weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary approved, on a straight party line, a gun control bill: S-649 – misnamed the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act. While watered down slightly from what gun-haters in Congress really lusted for (gun and magazine bans), it still stank. Stinkiest of all was “universal background […]

I am one of the site managers at Whitefish Community Center. We have had an excellent nutrition program for 35 years provided by Agency on Aging. Our center alone serves 10 to 20 seniors who eat at the center daily and enjoy fellowship with each other and with the volunteers who serve them. We also […]

When President Barack Obama revealed his latest budget last week, it was greeted with a lukewarm reception from fellow Democrat and Montana’s longtime Sen. Max Baucus, who said he was “disappointed” in some of the entitlement cuts. Meanwhile, the U.S. debt continues to rise, although at a slower pace than previous years, and is nearing […]