During the state elections in late 2010, the mantra from candidates was clear: Nearly all touted the value of real-world business experience and reliance on common sense politics. Why then has the Legislature focused nearly 90 bills on attacking the thriving outdoor jobs economy and on reducing your access to hunting and fishing? Nearly every […]

Henry Ford, despite his success with the assembly line at Ford Motor Company, made a mistake that many business owners still make today. He didn’t delegate. Most business owners delegate at least a little. Not Ford. According to Peter Drucker, the senior Ford didn’t believe in delegation or floor management and it cost him plenty. […]

The “Save the North Fork” crowd must be overjoyed. The road-pavers were sent packing, the loggers sued and burnt off, the Canuck coal miners bribed to go away, and now the gas lessees are, according to a timeline proudly posted by Sen. Max Baucus’s office, “voluntarily” giving up. A great victory, right? Um, maybe not. […]

Eighteen months after it started, the city of Roseville, Calif., voted to stop billing for their fire department’s response to traffic accidents. Amazingly, the recommendation to terminate the billing was made by the fire chief – the recipient of the money! He stated three major reasons: (1) the safety of his firefighters, (2) the safety […]

It’s much easier for those of us with jobs to demand that budgets be cut, spending reduced and pork exorcized than it is for us to think about the people who will lose their jobs when that happens. It’s only partly about unions, which is synonymous with a swear word around many dinner tables. In […]

One might suggest federalization and unionization has resulted in the almost total destruction of education. Our children lack basic skills and knowledge – especially critical thinking. The current system is all geared to bloated administration and selfish interests of the National Education Association. We have replaced PE in many places to accommodate such socialized agenda […]

When the Legislature came to town in early January, it seemed clear that jobs would be the No. 1 issue of the session. Now that the Legislature is past the halfway point, this is a good time to reflect on how the people’s branch is doing on that key issue. In just two months, the […]

Are you indispensable? I was thinking about this earlier today and got sidetracked by “real work”. It was destined to be on my mind. Hugh’s email newsletter arrived short time later and was RIGHT ON POINT with my question. The question that you have to ask yourself – daily (if not constantly), rather than once […]

You can smell the scent of spring in the air, see it in the yellowing willow, and hear it in the chirping birds. Spring signals a turning point in life and growth of all things renewed. The produce at the local grocer suddenly looks smaller. This is an indication that newer crops are being planted […]

The editorial on House Bill 309 in the March 2 Beacon (“HB 309 Does Not Endanger Access”) involves a willful misreading of the bill and makes many misrepresentations to support legislators’ point that the bill does not endanger access. HB 309 is all about endangering access. The bill is another attempted end-run around the 2008 […]

For someone who says he doesn’t like talking about vetoes, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer sure likes to talk a lot about vetoes. But making vague declarations are one thing and putting pen to paper is quite another. The truth is it’s hard to guess how many pieces of legislation the governor will eventually nix. There […]

We are halfway through the 2011 legislative session. As a member of the Republican leadership I can tell you we are focused on creating private sector job opportunities for the citizens of Montana. It troubles me when I hear of another friend leaving for North Dakota to find employment. We have the natural resources, energy […]

During the first half of the 62nd Legislative Session, we have dealt with legislation concerning everything from how we run our businesses, and how we educate our children, to how we recreate in Montana. This last subject has generated a lot of comment from our constituents and we would like to take this opportunity to […]

Lots of Scout troops from out of state visit Glacier National Park every year. Some of them use our local Scout camp property as a “base camp” for a week or two of treks they make into the Bob Marshall, Glacier Park and elsewhere. One thing they depend on us for is referrals to quality […]

I’ve written before about going to Helena to testify before the Legislature, or simply to see how our state government works. It’s a pain, but can be worthwhile. When “worth-a-trip” legislation comes up for a hearing, either good or bad, I always check the other bills scheduled that day, in case a “bonus” can be […]